New Delhi: Yoga seems to be a perfect match to strengthening exercises for managing knee osteoarthritis. Healthcare practitioners could consider incorporating yoga as a viable alternative or supplementary exercise regimen in their treatment protocols for patients with knee osteoarthritis, states a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.
Medical specialists across the city have noted yoga’s potential as a beneficial component in knee osteoarthritis treatment. Many people seek pain management solutions beyond traditional medication or surgical interventions. Healthcare providers increasingly suggest yoga as a therapeutic option, particularly for patients preferring gentle, comprehensive approaches to symptom management.
A randomised clinical trial, involving 117 participants from Australia, demonstrated that both yoga and strengthening exercises yielded improvements in knee pain during the 12-week study period. It found no statistically significant variations between the two groups. The findings confirmed that yoga was not less effective than strengthening exercises while showing subtle enhancements in knee-related symptoms, quality of life and depression levels.
Dr Palash Gupta, director of robotic joint replacement & orthopaedic at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, explained that from a clinical perspective, both yoga and strengthening exercises produced comparable results due to their effects on biomechanics and neurophysiology. These activities promote synovial fluid circulation, essential for cartilage nourishment.
They also enhance proprioception and neuromuscular coordination, reducing irregular joint loading patterns that accelerate joint deterioration, he added. Furthermore, the release of endorphins and psychological benefits, particularly through yoga’s meditative aspects, contribute to pain alleviation.
Hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA) stands as the most common among chronic rheumatic conditions, causing significant pain and disability globally. The condition shows higher occurrence in women than men, with its frequency rising as people age. Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2019 reveals that India’s OA cases rose substantially from 23.5 million people in 1990 to 62.4 million in 2019.
“Studies show that yoga is more comprehensive than physical exercise alone, incorporating mental health benefits, balance, joint mobility and muscle activation—key components in treating chronic pain and disability,” said Dr Masooma Rehman, consult physiotherapist at Apollo Spectra Hospital.
“While yoga and resistance training are complementary disciplines, they achieve their shared physiological goals through distinct approaches. Exercises targeting the knee concentrate on developing quadriceps and hamstring strength to reduce joint pressure by enhancing supporting musculature. Similarly, yoga accomplishes these outcomes through controlled transitions between postures, held positions and sustained asanas that work the same muscle groups,” he said, adding that yoga incorporates breathing exercises and meditation practices that enhance pain management capabilities while reducing stress-induced inflammation.
Dr Deepak Kumar Mishra, director & head of the orthopaedics unit-I at Asian Hospital, explained that “yoga’s mind-body connection helps alleviate physical symptoms while supporting mental wellbeing, crucial for managing chronic conditions”.
link