Physical therapy exercises are one of the first-line treatments for OA.[1][2] Heat packs can provide relief. There are mechanistic reasons for suspecting that applying heat could also slow OA progression, although this does not have strong clinical evidence.[2] Progressive exercises of all sorts can help with osteoarthritis. Some examples include aerobic exercise, resistance training, yoga, aquatic exercise, and Tai Chi.[3]
Are there any other treatments for osteoarthritis?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Physical therapy exercises — including aerobic exercise, resistance training, yoga, aquatic exercise, and tai chi — are first-line treatments for osteoarthritis. Additionally, heat packs may provide relief and potentially slow OA progression, although strong clinical evidence for this is lacking.