Introduction: Your Path to Moving Better Starts Here
If you’re living with arthritis in Victoria, you already know how it can chip away at the things you love. Maybe it’s that morning stiffness that keeps you from your walk along Dallas Road. Perhaps it’s the joint pain that makes gardening in your backyard feel impossible. Or maybe you’re just tired of planning your day around what your joints will let you do.
I’m Daryl Stubbs, owner of Sync Therapy in Colwood, and I’ve spent over a decade helping people in Victoria, Langford, and Colwood navigate exactly this challenge. As both a Registered Massage Therapist and Certified Athletic Therapist, I’ve worked with hundreds of arthritis patients—and I understand that you’re not looking for someone to simply “manage” your condition. You want your life back.
The good news? Victoria has an exceptional network of arthritis specialists, and when you connect with the right team, real improvement is possible. This guide will show you exactly who these specialists are, what they do, and how to access the coordinated care that makes the biggest difference.
Understanding Arthritis: What You’re Actually Dealing With
The Reality of Arthritis in Our Community
Arthritis affects over 6 million Canadians, and here in Greater Victoria, it’s one of the most common reasons people seek treatment at clinics like mine. But “arthritis” isn’t just one condition—it’s actually an umbrella term for over 100 different types of joint disease.
The two most common types I see are:
Osteoarthritis (OA): The “wear and tear” arthritis that develops when the protective cartilage cushioning your joints gradually breaks down. It typically affects weight-bearing joints like knees, hips, and the spine.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): An autoimmune condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of your joints, causing inflammation, pain, and potential joint damage. Unlike OA, RA often affects joints symmetrically (both hands, both knees).
Other forms include psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and juvenile arthritis—each requiring specialized assessment and treatment.
How Arthritis Impacts Your Daily Life
The reality of arthritis extends far beyond joint pain. My patients describe:
- Morning stiffness that can last 30 minutes to several hours
- Reduced range of motion that makes simple tasks challenging
- Fatigue that affects energy levels throughout the day
- Difficulty with stairs, particularly here in Victoria’s hillier neighbourhoods
- Trouble with fine motor tasks like opening jars or buttoning shirts
- Hesitation to commit to social activities due to unpredictable symptoms
This isn’t just about physical limitations—it affects your independence, your social connections, and your mental health. That’s why effective arthritis care requires more than just treating the joint itself.
Your Victoria Arthritis Care Team: Who Does What
Effective arthritis management isn’t a solo effort—it requires a coordinated team of specialists, each bringing their unique expertise to your care. Here’s who you need to know.
Starting Point: Your Family Doctor
Your family physician is typically your first stop and remains central to your care coordination. They’ll:
- Conduct initial assessments and order preliminary blood work or imaging
- Provide referrals to specialists (required for most specialist appointments in BC)
- Prescribe initial pain management medications
- Coordinate communication between your various healthcare providers
- Monitor your overall health as it intersects with arthritis treatment
Finding a family doctor in Victoria: If you don’t currently have a GP, visit the Health Connect Registry or call 8-1-1 to register.
The Arthritis Expert: Rheumatologists in Victoria
Rheumatologists are medical doctors specializing in arthritis and autoimmune conditions. They’re essential for:
- Confirming your specific arthritis diagnosis through comprehensive testing
- Prescribing disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologics
- Managing inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis
- Monitoring disease progression and adjusting treatment accordingly
- Preventing long-term joint damage
Victoria’s rheumatology landscape: Most rheumatologists practice through Island Health or private clinics. Expect wait times of 3-6 months for initial consultations, which is why early referral from your GP is crucial.
Movement Specialists: Physical Therapists and Athletic Therapists
This is where my work intersects with your arthritis care. As a Certified Athletic Therapist (CAT(C)) and Registered Massage Therapist at Sync Therapy, I work alongside physiotherapists to help you move better and with less pain.
Physical therapists focus on:
- Designing therapeutic exercise programs to strengthen supporting muscles
- Improving joint flexibility and range of motion
- Teaching proper movement mechanics to protect joints
- Using modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation for pain relief
Athletic therapists (like myself) specialize in:
- Musculoskeletal assessment and injury prevention
- Functional movement training for daily activities
- Sport-specific rehabilitation for active individuals
- Manual therapy techniques to improve joint mobility
The advantage at Sync Therapy? You work with one practitioner who holds both RMT and CAT(C) credentials, meaning your massage therapy and movement rehabilitation are seamlessly integrated—no bouncing between multiple practitioners.
Hands-On Relief: Registered Massage Therapists
While I incorporate massage therapy into my treatment approach, many Victoria-area RMTs specialize specifically in arthritis care. Benefits include: These specialists can provide tailored techniques that focus on relieving joint pain and increasing mobility. Additionally, they often collaborate with other healthcare providers to create a comprehensive care plan that addresses individual needs. For those seeking back pain treatment options in Victoria, these RMTs may also offer integrated therapies that complement traditional methods.
- Reducing muscle tension around affected joints
- Improving circulation to promote healing
- Decreasing pain through gate control theory and endorphin release
- Addressing compensatory patterns that develop due to altered movement
- Providing much-needed relaxation for stress management
What makes Sync Therapy different: My triple certification (RMT + CAT(C) + Holistic Nutritionist) means we can address not just the physical symptoms, but also the inflammatory component through targeted nutrition counseling—something most clinics can’t offer under one roof.
Daily Living Solutions: Occupational Therapists
Occupational therapists help you adapt your environment and modify activities to protect your joints:
- Recommending assistive devices (jar openers, ergonomic tools, mobility aids)
- Teaching joint protection techniques for daily tasks
- Modifying your home or workplace for better accessibility
- Providing splints or braces for joint support
- Helping you conserve energy throughout the day
Local resource: Island Health offers occupational therapy services, and several private practitioners operate in Victoria and Langford.
Surgical Options: Orthopedic Surgeons
When conservative treatment isn’t enough and joint damage is severe, orthopedic surgeons may be your next step:
- Joint replacement surgery (hip, knee, shoulder)
- Arthroscopy for joint repair or cleaning
- Joint fusion for stability
- Corrective surgery for alignment issues
Victoria’s surgical resources: Most orthopedic procedures are performed at Victoria General Hospital or Royal Jubilee Hospital through Island Health.
The Inflammation Connection: Nutritional Support
Here’s where Sync Therapy offers something truly unique in Victoria’s arthritis care landscape. As a Holistic Nutritionist in addition to my therapy credentials, I can help you address arthritis from the inside out.
How nutrition impacts arthritis:
Chronic inflammation is at the heart of most arthritis types, and your diet plays a significant role in either fueling or fighting that inflammation. Research shows that certain dietary patterns can measurably reduce inflammatory markers in the blood.
What we address in nutritional counseling:
- Anti-inflammatory foods: Incorporating omega-3 rich fish, colorful vegetables, berries, nuts, and spices like turmeric and ginger
- Inflammatory triggers: Identifying and potentially reducing processed foods, refined sugars, and for some people, specific food sensitivities
- Weight management: Every excess pound puts 4 pounds of pressure on your knees—strategic, sustainable weight loss can significantly reduce joint load
- Nutrient optimization: Ensuring adequate vitamin D, calcium, and other nutrients crucial for joint and bone health
- Gut health: Supporting your microbiome, which plays a surprising role in inflammatory conditions
Your personalized nutrition plan:
At Sync Therapy, I create individualized nutrition strategies based on:
- Your specific type of arthritis
- Your current inflammatory markers (if available from your doctor)
- Your lifestyle, preferences, and realistic capacity for change
- Any other health conditions or medications
- Your goals for symptom management
This isn’t about restrictive dieting or unrealistic overhauls. It’s about strategic, science-backed adjustments that reduce inflammation and support your body’s healing capacity—complementing all your other arthritis treatments.
The result? My patients often report that combining manual therapy, movement training, and targeted nutrition gives them better outcomes than any single approach alone. That’s the power of addressing arthritis from multiple angles with one practitioner who understands how it all connects.
Additional Support Specialists
Depending on your needs, your team might also include:
- Pain specialists: For complex pain management using interventional procedures
- Psychologists: For coping strategies, stress management, and mental health support
- Kinesiologists: For supervised exercise programs
- Podiatrists: For foot and ankle arthritis or biomechanical issues
Your Personalized Treatment Approach: What Actually Works
There’s no one-size-fits-all arthritis treatment, and anyone who tells you otherwise isn’t being honest. What I’ve learned over the past decade is that the most successful outcomes come from a combination of therapies, tailored to your specific situation.
The Foundation: Accurate Diagnosis
Everything starts with knowing exactly what you’re dealing with. Your rheumatologist or physician will use:
- Detailed medical history and physical examination
- Blood tests (inflammatory markers, antibody tests, rheumatoid factor)
- Imaging (X-rays, MRI, ultrasound) to assess joint damage
- Sometimes joint fluid analysis to rule out infection or gout
Evidence-Based Treatment Components
1. Medication Management
Your medical team may prescribe:
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) for pain and inflammation
- DMARDs (methotrexate, sulfasalazine) to slow RA progression
- Biologics (targeted immune system modulators for inflammatory arthritis)
- Corticosteroids for short-term inflammation control
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen, topical treatments)
2. Manual Therapy and Bodywork
At Sync Therapy, I use:
- Therapeutic massage to reduce muscle tension and improve circulation
- Joint mobilization to restore normal joint mechanics
- Myofascial release for tissue restrictions
- Trigger point therapy for pain relief
These hands-on techniques don’t just feel good—they create measurable improvements in range of motion and pain levels. Incorporating these strategies into a regular routine can lead to sustained mobility and comfort. Additionally, individuals seeking hip pain relief options will find that these techniques can serve as a natural complement to other treatments. Ultimately, the combination of hands-on methods and personalized therapy approaches can significantly enhance overall quality of life.
3. Therapeutic Exercise
Movement is medicine, but it has to be the right movement:
- Strengthening exercises to support and stabilize joints
- Range of motion exercises to maintain flexibility
- Low-impact aerobic activity (walking, swimming, cycling)
- Balance and proprioception training to prevent falls
Victoria’s natural environment makes this easier—the Galloping Goose Trail, Esquimalt Lagoon, and numerous neighbourhood parks offer perfect low-impact walking routes.
4. Lifestyle Modifications
Small changes create big results:
- Weight management: Reducing joint load through sustainable nutrition changes
- Joint protection techniques: Learning how to move and lift properly
- Activity pacing: Balancing activity with rest to avoid flare-ups
- Stress management: Reducing cortisol that can worsen inflammation
- Sleep optimization: Supporting your body’s healing processes
5. Assistive Devices When Needed
Sometimes tools make life easier:
- Braces or splints for joint support
- Ergonomic utensils and tools
- Mobility aids (canes, walkers) when appropriate
- Orthotics for foot and ankle arthritis
The Sync Therapy Integrated Approach
What sets us apart is the integration. When you work with me, we’re addressing:
- Manual therapy for immediate pain relief and improved mobility
- Movement training to build long-term joint stability
- Nutritional strategies to reduce systemic inflammation
You’re not juggling multiple practitioners with different philosophies. You’re getting comprehensive care from one practitioner who sees the complete picture and adjusts your treatment plan as you progress.
That’s why Sync Therapy has been voted Best Massage and Rehab Clinic in Victoria six years running, with over 107 Google reviews at 4.9 stars. Our patients experience results because we treat the whole person, not just the joint.
Accessing Arthritis Care in Victoria: Your Practical Guide
Knowing what care you need is one thing. Actually accessing it is another. Here’s how to navigate the system efficiently.
Step 1: Get Your GP Referral
Most specialists in BC require a physician referral. If you don’t have a family doctor:
- Register with the Health Connect Registry (call 8-1-1)
- Visit a walk-in clinic for initial assessment
- Consider virtual care options like Maple or Telus Health
Step 2: Understand Wait Times
Be realistic about timelines:
- Rheumatology consultations: 3-6 months typically
- Orthopedic surgery consultations: 6-12 months
- Physical therapy/athletic therapy: Often available within days
- Massage therapy: Usually same week or immediate
Pro tip: While waiting for specialist appointments, start with treatments you can access immediately. At Sync Therapy, I regularly work with patients who are on rheumatology wait lists—we start improving their function right away rather than waiting months to begin treatment.
Step 3: Leverage Telehealth Options
Virtual care has expanded dramatically:
- Many specialists now offer video consultations
- Follow-up appointments often don’t require in-person visits
- Reduces travel burden for those with mobility challenges
Step 4: Understand Your Coverage
MSP (BC Medical Services Plan):
- Covers GP visits, specialist consultations, and hospital procedures
- Does not typically cover physiotherapy, massage therapy, or most allied health services
Extended health benefits:
- Most employer plans cover physiotherapy, massage therapy, and sometimes athletic therapy
- Coverage limits vary (often $500-$1000 per discipline annually)
- Nutritional counseling coverage is becoming more common
WorkSafeBC or ICBC:
- May cover treatment if arthritis is work-related or injury-related
- We handle these claims at Sync Therapy
Step 5: Tap Into Community Resources
Arthritis Society of Canada:
- Free educational resources and webinars
- Online peer support communities
- Exercise programs specifically designed for arthritis
Island Health Programs:
- Chronic disease self-management workshops
- Group exercise programs for those with arthritis
- Pain management clinics
Local Support:
- Victoria Senior’s Resources Centre
- Community recreation centres with arthritis-friendly programs
- Warm water therapy pools (Crystal Pool, Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre)
Why Location Matters: The Colwood Advantage
Sync Therapy is located at 132-328 Wale Road, Suite 120 in Colwood—strategically positioned to serve Victoria, Langford, and the West Shore. Benefits of our location:
- Easy parking: No downtown parking hassles
- Accessible: Ground-level suite, wide doorways, accessible washroom
- Central to West Shore: Minutes from Langford, easy access from Victoria via Highway 1
- Quiet, professional setting: Away from the bustle, focused on your care
Living Well with Arthritis in Victoria: Beyond Treatment
Managing arthritis isn’t just about what happens in the clinic—it’s about how you live your daily life in our beautiful community.
Leveraging Victoria’s Environment
Our mild climate and natural landscape offer unique advantages:
Year-round outdoor activity:
- Walking the Galloping Goose Trail (flat, accessible)
- Gentle hikes at Thetis Lake or Witty’s Lagoon
- Beach walks along Esquimalt Lagoon or Willows Beach
- Gardening nearly year-round in Victoria’s mild winters
Water-based exercise:
- Swimming at Crystal Pool or Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre
- Warm water arthritis programs at local pools
- Paddleboarding or kayaking in calm waters (low-impact, excellent for joint mobility)
Community connection:
- Abundant walking groups and gentle yoga classes
- Seniors’ centres with arthritis-friendly activities
- Farmers markets for fresh, anti-inflammatory foods
Adapting Your Favourite Activities
Don’t give up what you love—adapt it:
- Gardening: Use raised beds, ergonomic tools, knee pads
- Golf: Consider a cart, warm up properly, focus on flexibility
- Cycling: E-bikes reduce joint stress while keeping you active
- Walking: Choose flatter routes, invest in supportive footwear, use trekking poles if needed
I work with patients to maintain their active Victoria lifestyle—because quality of life matters just as much as pain reduction.
Building Your Self-Management Skills
The most successful patients become active participants in their care:
- Track your symptoms: Note what helps and what worsens your pain
- Stay consistent with exercise: Even on tough days, gentle movement helps
- Communicate with your team: We can only help if we know what’s happening
- Celebrate progress: Small improvements compound over time
- Stay educated: Understanding your condition empowers better decisions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need a referral to see you at Sync Therapy?
No. Massage therapists and athletic therapists don’t require referrals in BC. You can book directly, and many patients start treatment with me while waiting for specialist appointments.
Q: Will massage therapy cure my arthritis?
Arthritis has no cure, but massage therapy and athletic therapy can significantly improve your pain, mobility, and quality of life. We focus on managing symptoms and optimizing function.
Q: How is athletic therapy different from physiotherapy?
Both are excellent options. Athletic therapists specialize in musculoskeletal injury assessment and rehabilitation with a strong focus on functional movement. The main practical difference is that physiotherapy is more commonly covered by extended health plans, though many plans now cover athletic therapy as well.
Q: Can nutrition really make a difference with arthritis?
Yes. Research consistently shows that anti-inflammatory dietary patterns can reduce inflammatory markers and symptoms in arthritis patients. It’s not a replacement for medical treatment, but it’s a powerful complement.
Q: How long will I need treatment?
Arthritis is typically a chronic condition, so ongoing management is common. However, treatment frequency evolves—you might start with weekly sessions, then move to bi-weekly, then monthly maintenance, or come in during flare-ups.
Q: What if I can’t exercise because of pain?
That’s exactly why you need professional guidance. I design programs specifically for where you’re at right now—starting with gentle range of motion and gradually building strength as your pain decreases.
Q: Do you accept insurance?
Yes. We direct bill to most major insurance providers for massage therapy services. Athletic therapy and nutrition services are submitted through your extended health benefits, and we provide detailed receipts for reimbursement.
Your Next Steps: Starting Your Journey to Better Movement
You don’t have to accept pain and limited mobility as your new normal. With Victoria’s exceptional network of arthritis specialists and a comprehensive treatment approach, significant improvement is possible.
Book Your Initial Assessment at Sync Therapy
Your journey starts with understanding exactly what’s happening with your joints and creating a clear plan forward. At Sync Therapy, your initial assessment includes:
- Comprehensive movement and joint evaluation
- Discussion of your symptoms, history, and goals
- Hands-on treatment to begin immediate pain relief
- Personalized treatment plan combining manual therapy, movement training, and if appropriate, nutritional guidance
- Clear communication with your other healthcare providers
Ready to get started? Book online at synctherapy.ca or call our Colwood clinic.
Connect with Your Medical Team
If you haven’t already:
- Schedule an appointment with your family doctor to discuss your symptoms
- Request a referral to a rheumatologist if you suspect inflammatory arthritis
- Ask about additional resources through Island Health
Take the First Step Today
Every day you wait is another day living with unnecessary pain and limitation. The arthritis specialists in Victoria are ready to help—you just need to take that first step. Exploring the various back pain treatment options Victoria has to offer could be the key to regaining your quality of life. By consulting with experienced professionals, you can receive tailored advice and solutions that address your specific needs. Don’t let pain dictate your daily activities any longer—take action and discover the relief that awaits you.
At Sync Therapy, I’ve guided hundreds of patients from that first appointment where they could barely walk without pain, to confidently hiking our local trails and living the active life they thought they’d lost.
That can be your story too.
Sync Therapy
132-328 Wale Road, Suite 120
Colwood, BC
Serving Victoria, Langford, and Colwood
Award-winning care. Evidence-based results. Your path to moving better starts here.
Daryl Stubbs is a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), Certified Athletic Therapist CAT(C), and Holistic Nutritionist with over a decade of experience helping Greater Victoria residents overcome chronic pain and movement limitations. Sync Therapy has been voted Best Massage and Rehab Clinic six consecutive years, with 107+ five-star Google reviews.