Juvenile idiopathic arthritis: physical and occupational therapy, per NIAMS
NIAMS says “Physical therapy can be an important part of JIA treatment,” and names occupational therapists, “who teach ways to protect joints, minimize pain, perform activities of daily living, and conserve energy,” on the care team. This page quotes NIAMS only.
Quoted from official pages checked November 12, 2026. Confirm current information on those sites. This page is not medical advice and does not describe any patient’s care.
Sources read on November 12, 2026: NIAMS’s Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis overview and its diagnosis and treatment page (last reviewed July 2024).
What it is
NIAMS states: “JIA is a broad term that includes several different diseases. Symptoms can vary depending upon the type of JIA and can include joint pain, swelling, warmth, stiffness, and loss of motion.”
Physical therapy
NIAMS says the doctor may recommend physical therapy to help relieve pain, improve and maintain range of motion, strengthen muscles, and prevent injury from sports or other activities (paraphrased from a list). It adds: “A physical therapist can also teach pain-reducing techniques and develop a home exercise program for your child.”
The team
- “Occupational therapists, who teach ways to protect joints, minimize pain, perform activities of daily living, and conserve energy.”
- “Physical therapists, who help to improve joint function.”
Splints
NIAMS states: “Wearing a splint (a piece of hard material, usually wrapped in fabric) for a short time around a painful joint can reduce pain and swelling. Talk to your child’s doctor or a physical or occupational therapist before using a splint.”
What this page does not do
It does not repeat NIAMS’s JIA types or medicine list. It is not medical advice and does not recommend any treatment, medicine, device, or product. Scope of practice is set by state law; check your state board.