Knee osteoarthritis: have you considered yoga?

Yoga is not just a fashionable physical activity, it could be recommended in knee osteoarthritis, as an Australian study proves. According to the University of Melbourne, taking an online yoga class from home would improve the functionality of the knee and therefore the quality of life of those affected. The results are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

More mobility thanks to 12 weeks of yoga

As part of this study, the University of Melbourne offered 212 adults suffering from symptomatic knee osteoarthritis to follow either a 12-week online yoga program associated with therapeutic education advice, or only therapeutic education advice. They then compared improvements in knee pain while walking and physical function at 12 and 24 weeks after starting the program.

Researchers found that participants who successfully completed two-thirds of the program reported improved knee function and fewer functional difficulties compared to those who did not complete the program. On the other hand, no difference was observed in the pain experienced when walking.

The importance of regularity in movement

Consulted on the subject, Dr. Laurent Grange, rheumatologist confirms the beneficial effect of yoga, like tai-chi in osteoarthritis of the knee.

“This is indeed what emerges from the recommendations of the French Society of Rheumatology, or the American College of Rheumatology: the first treatment against osteoarthritis is based on muscle strengthening. As such, sports such as yoga or tai chi are particularly recommended.”

On the other hand, it is useless to throw yourself on an intensive yoga class hoping to eliminate your osteoarthritis: “Let’s remember that we can’t hope to cure osteoarthritis with yoga or tai chi, but the combination of several small things can improve the quality of life” he recognizes, insisting on two main principles: the regularity of an exercise, and the fact of adapting it to his condition.