
Move With More Confidence With Osteoarthritis
/Arthritis Foundations is /Ascent’s physiotherapist-led education and exercise program for people with symptoms of hip or knee osteoarthritis in Calgary.
Fall Program Starts October 14, 2026
The purpose of our /Arthritis Foundations Program is to guide individuals living with osteoarthritis symptoms back to doing what they love, while building the physical resilience needed to stay active, independent, and thriving in their daily lives.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, often called OA, is the most common type of arthritis. It affects the whole joint, including cartilage, bone, muscles, and surrounding tissues.
Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced movement. Symptoms can vary from day to day and do not always match what appears on an X-ray.

OA is more common in the hips and knees, but it can affect other joints. Osteoarthritis can make walking, stairs, exercise and the activities you love feel harder. But it does not mean you need to stop moving. With the right education, a plan built around your ability and exercise that progresses at the right pace, better is possible.
How To Manage Your Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Exercise is one of the best-supported, first-line treatments for hip and knee osteoarthritis. The key is choosing the right type, dose, and progression for your current ability. A well-rounded arthritis plan includes strength training to improve muscle capacity around the joint, alongside stability and mobility work to keep you moving safely.
/Ascent’s /Arthritis Foundations Program
/Arthritis Foundations is /Ascent’s physiotherapist-led education and exercise program for people with symptoms of hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Informed by established GLA:D research and principles, it combines osteoarthritis education with supervised neuromuscular and strength training to help you manage symptoms and keep participating in the activities that matter to you.
PROGRAM FORMAT
You will start with a one-to-one assessment where we will assess your movement and current abilities, and establish a personalized starting plan for the class. Once that is completed you are able to join the next program offering.
During the program, you will attend two one-hour small-group sessions each week for eight weeks. The sessions use a circuit format and teach the foundations of strength training in ways that are especially helpful for osteoarthritic hips and knees.
The programs will start by learning how to hinge, squat and lunge with control. From there, your physiotherapist will progressively adapt and load each movement based on each participant’s ability and response.

You will also have check-ins throughout the program with your physiotherapist.
This is not about pushing through pain or keeping up with the person next to you. It is about finding the right starting point, progressing safely and building the capacity to do more.
What You Will Work Toward
The goal of /Arthritis Foundations is to help you manage joint symptoms while building the physical resilience needed to stay active, independent and involved in your life.
Less Pain and Stiffness
Regular, appropriately dosed movement can help reduce osteoarthritis pain and stiffness and make everyday movement feel easier.
More Strength to Support Your Joints
Strengthening the muscles around the hip and knee improves your ability to absorb and manage the forces involved in walking, stairs, sport and daily life.
Better Mobility, Balance and Control
Targeted exercises help improve range of motion, balance, movement quality and endurance so common tasks feel safer and more manageable.
Greater Confidence and Independence
Progressive practice helps you better understand what your body can do and gives you strategies for managing symptoms and flare-ups.
Through tailored programming, our goal is to inspire resilient lives that conquer life’s mountains—whether that means hiking a local trail, playing with grandchildren, playing golf and tennis, or simply walking pain-free. We are here to help you reclaim your active lifestyle and prove that physical limitations don’t have to define your future.
Is Arthritis Foundations Right for Me?
You do not need to be fit or experienced with strength training. Your physiotherapist will assess your starting point and adapt the exercises to you.
The initial assessment also helps determine whether the /Arthritis Foundations class is the right setting for you or whether you would benefit from a different type of care first.
- Have symptoms or a diagnosis of knee or hip osteoarthritis
- Want to reduce pain or stiffness and improve strength and mobility
- Feel unsure about how to exercise safely with OA
- Have stopped or reduced activities because you do not trust your joint
- Want professional guidance and the encouragement of a small group
- Are willing to attend twice per week and work at a level suited to you
Call 403.441.7622 or book below for your required /Arthritis Assessment.
Or book a 15 min free consult call with our physio Gwen. She can answer your questions .

Why Choose /Ascent
Better Is Always Possible.
At /Ascent Health & Sport Therapy, we provide empowering, comprehensive care because we believe better is always possible. We do not define success only as having less pain. We help you build the strength, capacity and confidence to get back to the parts of life that make you feel like yourself.
With two Calgary clinics and a collaborative team offering physiotherapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy, exercise rehabilitation and other services, we can support the bigger picture when your needs extend beyond one program.
For /Arthritis Foundations, your care remains clear and focused: one team, one plan tailored to you and one supportive path back toward the activities you enjoy
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800+ five-star Google reviews across our Capitol Hill and Currie locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a formal osteoarthritis diagnosis?
The program is intended for people with symptoms or a diagnosis of knee or hip OA. Your initial OA Assessment at Ascent will help determine whether /Arthritis Foundations is appropriate for you. If your symptoms require further medical assessment, we will explain the recommended next step.
Is the program suitable for severe osteoarthritis?
Many people with mild through severe OA can benefit from appropriately adapted exercise. Suitability depends on your symptoms, health and current abilities, which is why every new participant starts with an individual assessment.
What if I have never lifted weights?
That is completely okay. We teach the fundamentals first and adjust every exercise to your starting level before gradually progressing it.
Will exercise make my arthritis worse?
Appropriately prescribed exercise is recommended for managing hip and knee OA and does not simply “wear out” the joint. Temporary soreness can happen when you begin or progress a program. Your physiotherapist will help you monitor your response and adjust the dose when needed.
What happens in the initial OA assessment?
Your physiotherapist will discuss your symptoms, health history and goals, assess your movement and current abilities, and establish a personalized starting plan for the class.
How much does it cost and can I submit the program to my physiotherapy benefits?
Yes, we can direct bill insurance for the Arthritis Assessment ($90). Then you pay for the 8 week program up front ($640, 16 x $40/class). Each week you attend, you will receive a receipt for $40 that you can submit to your physiotherapy benefits plan. Coverage varies, so check your plan details directly with your insurer.
Where is the class held?
/Arthritis Foundations is held at /Ascent Health & Sport Therapy’s Currie location inside FitHub in Calgary.
What are other ways to manage osteoarthritis?
Exercise is central, but it is not the only tool. A complete management plan may also include:
- Education about OA, pain and flare-up management
- Pacing and gradually increasing activity
- Sleep, stress and general health strategies
- Weight-management support when appropriate and personally relevant
- Heat, cold or other short-term symptom-relief strategies
- Medication guidance from a physician or pharmacist
- Bracing, walking aids or footwear recommendations when useful
- A conversation with your medical team about injections or surgery when conservative care is not enough
The best plan is one that fits your health, goals and life. Our role is to help you understand your options and build a practical path forward.

















































