What Should You Do First When You Feel Hip or Knee Pain?
If you’ve ever had random hip or knee pain, your first instinct probably wasn’t to exercise. More likely, you reached into your medicine cabinet for a few Tylenol, Advil, or Ibuprofen to help get you through the day.
While that might seem like the fastest way to relief, what if we told you there’s a better — and more effective — long-term solution?
At Empower U, we help people every day rethink how they manage pain, especially when it comes to knee and hip osteoarthritis (OA). Here’s why physical therapy and exercise might be your best bet.
Exercise vs. NSAIDs for Hip & Knee Osteoarthritis Pain
A 2023 meta-analysis published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine compared the pain-relieving effects of exercise therapy to oral NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for individuals with hip or knee OA.
Here’s what the study found:
- The analysis included 152 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with over 17,000 participants.
- At 4, 8, and 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in pain reduction between exercise and NSAIDs.
- Functional improvements (like walking, standing, or going up stairs) were also similar across both groups.
- In short: exercise is just as effective as NSAIDs — and comes with fewer side effects.
Why Physical Therapy Is a Smarter, Safer First Choice
As we age, many of us will experience some level of knee or hip osteoarthritis. While medications may offer temporary relief, they don’t address the root cause of pain or improve joint function. That’s where physical therapy comes in.
At Empower U, our physical therapists focus on:
- Personalized exercise programs to reduce pain naturally
- Improving joint mobility, strength, and stability
- Helping clients return to daily activities without dependence on medication
- For older adults — especially those multiple health conditions — avoiding regular NSAID use can reduce risks like ulcers, kidney issues, and cardiovascular problems.
Final Thoughts: Movement Is Medicine
If you’re dealing with hip or knee pain, don’t just reach for the pill bottle.Consider movement as your medicine. Exercise is a powerful, proven, and side-effect-free way to relieve osteoarthritis pain and improve your quality of life.
Ready to Move Pain-Free?
At Empower U, we specialize in performance physical therapy and personalized treatment plans designed to help you move better, feel better, and live better — without relying on medication.
- Serving Omaha, NE, Sioux Falls, SD and Austin, TX
- Book your first session today
- Questions? Contact our team to learn more about how we can help
Source:
Weng Q, Goh S, Wu J, et al. Comparative efficacy of exercise therapy and oral non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol for knee or hip osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine. Published Online First: 02 January 2023. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2022-105898
