When someone is in pain, especially from osteoarthritis, exercise may feel counterintuitive. However, research consistently shows that moderate, appropriate movement can reduce symptoms and improve function.
An article in Family Practice News (October 15, 1999:36) emphasized that while starting an exercise program may be difficult, the benefits outweigh the initial discomfort. The recommendation was to avoid high-impact activity and instead perform three ten-minute sessions of light exercise—such as walking—throughout the day. Exercise should be gentle enough not to aggravate the joint, but challenging enough to improve mobility and strength.
This view is supported by findings in The American Journal of Sports Medicine (1997;25(6):873–881), which showed that moderate, regular exercise does not increase the risk of osteoarthritis. High-impact or joint-torquing activities should be avoided, but within safe limits, movement is beneficial.
Further evidence reported in Family Practice News (January 15, 2005:55) found that strengthening the hip-flexor muscles can improve symptoms for people with knee osteoarthritis. In general, exercises that strengthen surrounding muscles—without irritating the joint—tend to improve comfort and mobility.
These findings reinforce a consistent theme: for most individuals with osteoarthritis, gentle strengthening and low-impact movement are helpful rather than harmful.
