Exercise Away Osteoarthritis

Can you exercise away osteoarthritis?

There is some confusion and misunderstanding around the concept of ‘exercising away’ osteoarthritis. It is important to understand that osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that involves permanent damage to the articular cartilage. Thus, exercise cannot cure the disease or restore the damaged cartilage to its original shape. Nevertheless, physical activity and regular exercise play an important role in the management of osteoarthritis and can help relieve symptoms, improve joint function and improve the quality of life of people with osteoarthritis.

The Role of Physical Activity in the Management of Osteoarthritis

Physical activity, including regular exercise, has been shown to have several benefits for people with osteoarthritis. Exercise can help reduce pain by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain relievers. Regular exercise can also improve muscle strength and stability around the affected joint, thereby reducing stress on the articular cartilage. Regular exercise can also help improve joint mobility and function. It can also improve balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falls and injuries. For people with osteoarthritis in large weight-bearing joints, such as knees or hips, reducing the load can be particularly valuable. Maintaining a healthy weight or reducing excess weight can reduce stress on the joint, thereby relieving pain and improving function.

Why exercise can not “cure” osteoarthritis

It is important to be realistic about exercise and osteoarthritis. Exercise can be very beneficial in relieving symptoms and improving joint function, but it cannot cure the disease itself or restore the damaged articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis involves permanent damage to the joint cartilage. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease, which means that it can continue to progress over time. However, exercise and other treatments can help delay the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms. It is therefore important to have realistic expectations and be aware that exercise can provide relief and improvement, but it cannot cure osteoarthritis itself.

Recommended Exercise Methods for Osteoarthritis

There are different types of exercise that can be particularly beneficial for people with osteoarthritis. Here are some recommended exercise methods:

Low-intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming, can be good activities for people with osteoarthritis as they have a low impact on the joints. They also improve fitness, promote weight loss and improve circulation.

Strength training is important to strengthen the muscles around the affected joints and provide stability and support. It can include exercises using body weight, dumbbells, resistance bands or machines. It is important to exercise all major muscle groups, including legs, arms, trunk and back.

Stretching and flexibility exercises are important to improve the mobility of joints and muscles. Stretching can be done both before and after exercise to prepare the muscles and reduce the risk of injury.

Balance training is important to improve balance and coordination, especially for people with osteoarthritis of the legs or hip joints. Exercises that include balance board, balance ball or yoga can help strengthen muscles and improve body control.

It is important to remember that exercise should be adapted to the individual situation and needs of the person with osteoarthritis. It is always best to consult a doctor, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional for customized exercise recommendations based on the severity of the osteoarthritis, the affected joint and the individual’s physical ability.

Fascia Treatment as a Complement to Training

Fascia treatment is a form of treatment that focuses on releasing tension and imbalances in the fascia of our body. The fascia is the tightly connected multidimensional network of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, joints and organs in the body. Fascia treatment can be used as an adjunct to exercise for people with osteoarthritis to improve joint mobility, reduce pain and improve muscle balance around the affected joint. The treatment is carried out by professional therapists, all of whom have a wealth of experience in fascia treatments. The therapists can create an individualized treatment plan based on the specific osteoarthritis and the needs of the individual. The treatment can be combined with regular exercise and other treatment methods to maximize results and improve joint health.

Summary

It is not possible to train osteoarthritis away as it is a chronic disease that causes permanent damage to the joint cartilage. However, physical activity and regular exercise play an important role in managing osteoarthritis. Exercise can help to relieve pain, increase mobility and thus improve joint health. It is important to have realistic expectations and understand that exercise cannot cure the disease. Regular fascia treatments can be a valuable complement to exercise for people with osteoarthritis. By working on the fascia, treatment can help improve joint health and relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is important to consult a doctor, physiotherapist or other healthcare professional for individual recommendations on exercise and fascia treatment based on the individual situation. Living with osteoarthritis can be challenging, but using a combination of exercise, treatment and lifestyle changes can improve joint health and quality of life. Remember that each individual is unique, and it is important to find a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

Glyn-Jones, S., Palmer, A. J., Agricola, R., Price, A. J., Vincent, T. L., Weinans, H., & Carr, A. J. (2015). Osteoarthritis. The Lancet, 386(9991), 376-387. Link to the study

For the section on the role of physical activity in the management of osteoarthritis, see the following studies:

Uthman, O. A., van der Windt, D. A., Jordan, J. L., Dziedzic, K. S., Healey, E. L., Peat, G. M., & Foster, N. E. (2013). Exercise for lower limb osteoarthritis: systematic review incorporating trial sequential analysis and network meta-analysis. BMJ, 347, f5555. Link to the study

Zhang, W., Nuki, G., Moskowitz, R. W., Abramson, S., Altman, R. D., Arden, N. K., … & Tugwell, P. (2010). OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: Part III: Changes in evidence following systematic cumulative update of research published through January 2009. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 18(4), 476-499. Link to the study

If you want to refer to the progressive nature of osteoarthritis and why exercise cannot cure it, you can refer to:
Litwic, A., Edwards, M. H., Dennison, E. M., & Cooper, C. (2013). Epidemiology and burden of osteoarthritis. British Medical Bulletin, 105(1), 185-199. Link to the study

For the section on recommended exercise methods for osteoarthritis, see the following studies:

Fransen, M., McConnell, S., Harmer, A. R., Van der Esch, M., Simic, M., & Bennell, K. L. (2015). Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee: a Cochrane systematic review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 49(24), 1554-1557. Link to the study

Regnaux, J. P., Lefevre-Colau, M. M., Trinquart, L., Nguyen, C., Boutron, I., to=ChatGPT<|im_sep|>To confirm and support the information in this article, here are some scientific references and sources that can be used:
“Osteoarthritis,” MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Link: https://medlineplus.gov/osteoarthritis.html (This source provides basic information about osteoarthritis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatment methods.)

Fransen M, McConnell S, Harmer AR, Van der Esch M, Simic M, Bennell KL. “Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee: a Cochrane systematic review.” Br J Sports Med. 2015; 49(24):1554-1557. Link: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/49/24/1554 (This research study shows the benefits of physical exercise for patients with knee osteoarthritis, including pain relief, improved function, and increased mobility.)

“Arthritis and Exercise,” American College of Rheumatology. Link: https://www.rheumatology.org/I-Am-A/Patient-Caregiver/Diseases-Conditions/Living-Well-with-Rheumatic-Disease/Arthritis-and-Exercise (This source provides recommendations for physical exercise for patients with osteoarthritis and other rheumatic diseases.)

Bannuru RR, Osani MC, Vaysbrot EE, et al. “OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2019; 27(11):1578-1589. Link: https://www.oarsi.org/education/oarsi-guidelines/management-osteoarthritis-second-edition (These guidelines from the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) provide recommendations for non-surgical management of osteoarthritis, including physical activity.)

Rice DA, McNair PJ, Lewis GN. “Mechanisms of Pain Reduction by Manual Therapies: A Review and Theoretical Framework.” Clin J Pain. 2019; 35(12):1011-1025. Link: https://journals.lww.com/clinicalpain/Fulltext/2019/12000/Mechanisms_of_Pain_Reduction_by_Manual_Therapies_.8.aspx (This scientific article discusses the mechanisms behind pain relief through manual therapy, which would include fascia treatments.)

Note that these sources are available in English, and some may be behind a paywall or require special access for the full-text version. Some links may not work depending on the location of access, and further research may be required to find available open access sources in English.