Non-pharmacological management
Advise people with osteoarthritis to exercise as a core treatment (see recommendation 1.2.5),
irrespective of age, comorbidity, pain severity or disability. Exercise should include:
local muscle strengthening and
general aerobic fitness.
It has not been specified whether exercise should be provided by the NHS or whether
the healthcare professional should provide advice and encouragement to the person to
obtain and carry out the intervention themselves. Exercise has been found to be
beneficial but the clinician needs to make a judgement in each case on how to effectively
ensure participation. This will depend upon the person's individual needs, circumstances
and self-motivation, and the availability of local facilities. [2008]