New Zealand researchers studied 206 patients suffering from osteoarthritis, a joint disease the leads to pain, swelling and reduced joint function. All patients received standard medical care, but some exercised regularly, some received physiotherapy treatments and others received combined exercise and physiotherapy treatments. After 2 years, both the exercise group and the physiotherapy group had similar significant improvements in pain and joint function. Combined therapy trended positively but wasn’t statistically significant.
PositiveTip: Make exercise your first choice to help alleviate osteoarthritis pain, it’s cost-effective and brings a host of other health benefits.