---
title: Exercise for Arthritis
description: Osteoarthritis most commonly affects the hip and knee joints. Exercise is the core treatment recommended in best practice evidence-based guidelines.
image: https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/hubfs/Arthritis%20Exercises.png
---

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# JennyPhysioPilates

## [Exercise for Arthritis](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/exercise-for-arthritis)

** May 21, 2020 1:23:41 PM / by [Jenny Drennan](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/author/jenny-drennan)

There are different types of arthritis, in this blog post I am specifically relating to osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis which primarily affects the hip and knee joints.

 

Osteoarthritis typically causes:

- Pain
- Stiffness
- Reduced movement of the joint
- Reduced function which may affect day-to-day activities.

 

The National Institute for Healthcare & Excellence advise that osteoarthritis can be diagnosed clinically without an X-ray if the individual:

- is over 45,
- has activity-related joint pain and
- Has no morning joint-related stiffness.

 

Structural changes on X-rays do not always correlate with the severity of pain the individual feels; for example, minimal changes on a scan may be associated with severe pain or the individual may experience very mild pain yet display modest changes on an x-ray.

 

**Myths:**

The most common myth about arthritis is that it is a normal process of ageing and gets worse as you get older - this is not true!

 

**Treatment:**

There are effective strategies that can improve pain and function for those with arthritis. **The National Institute of Healthcare & Excellence advises all treatment plans for arthritis must include exercise.** It is recommended for all ages and all pain levels. The exercises should include:

- Local muscle strengthening (e.g. pilates, weighted exercises)
- Aerobic exercise (e.g. walking, swimming, cycling)
- Stretching (e.g. pilates, yoga, home exercise programme)

![Arthritis Exercises](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Arthritis%20Exercises.png?width=600&name=Arthritis%20Exercises.png)

 

Recent Cochrane systematic reviews (the highest level of evidence) found that exercise reduces pain and improves function in individuals with hip and knee arthritis.

 

*Take home message: Exercise is the core recommendation for the management of arthritis.*

[![Sign up for 2 week free trial!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/407935/0561586b-2649-46b2-a425-1e625109fceb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/407935/0561586b-2649-46b2-a425-1e625109fceb)

 

Information based on:

 

Fransen, M., McConnell, S., Hernandez‐Molina, G., Reichenbach, S. (2014). *Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip.* Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD007912.

Fransen, M., McConnell, S., Harmer, AR., Van der Esch, M., Simic, M., Bennell, KL. (2015). *Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee*. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Issue 1. Art. No.: CD004376.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2014, reviewed 2017). *Osteoarthritis: care and management.* Clinical Guideline CG177.

 Topics: [Conditions](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/topic/conditions), [Keeping fit & healthy](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/topic/keeping-fit-healthy), [Exercises](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/topic/exercises)

![Jenny Drennan](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/hubfs/lijenny.jfif)

#### Written by [Jenny Drennan](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/author/jenny-drennan)

Jenny has over 10 years of experience as a Physiotherapist with a particular interest in pain management for chronic conditions. She has a passion for helping people manage their conditions, regain mobility and confidence in movement.

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### Lists by Topic

- [Conditions (8)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/conditions)
- [Exercises (8)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/exercises)
- [Low Back Pain (7)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/low-back-pain)
- [Keeping fit & healthy (6)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/keeping-fit-healthy)
- [Injuries (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/injuries)
- [Neck Pain (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/neck-pain)
- [Pain Management (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/pain-management)
- [Physio Led Pilates (3)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/physio-led-pilates)

### Posts by Topic

- [Conditions (8)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/conditions)
- [Exercises (8)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/exercises)
- [Low Back Pain (7)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/low-back-pain)
- [Keeping fit & healthy (6)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/keeping-fit-healthy)
- [Injuries (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/injuries)
- [Neck Pain (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/neck-pain)
- [Pain Management (4)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/pain-management)
- [Physio Led Pilates (3)](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/tag/physio-led-pilates)

[See all](https://blog.jennyphysiopilates.com/exercise-for-arthritis#)

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