Osteoarthritis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, and that number could reach one billion by 2050. Yet a growing body of scientific evidence keeps pointing to the same conclusion: the most powerful first-line treatment is neither surgery nor medication. It's movement.

I see this every week in my Tel Aviv practice. Patients arrive convinced they need to "protect" their painful joints — rest, avoid effort, wait it out. This instinct, however understandable, often makes things worse.

Why does osteoarthritis hurt?

Osteoarthritis is a progressive breakdown of joint cartilage — the cushioning tissue between bones. When it wears down, bones come into direct contact, causing pain, stiffness, and inflammation.

What many people don't realise is that cartilage has no direct blood supply. It gets its nutrients through absorption of synovial fluid — a process that only happens during movement. In other words, keeping an arthritic joint immobile is literally starving it.

Movement as medicine

The research is consistent: adapted physical exercise is one of the most effective treatments for osteoarthritis pain. Here's why:

  • It nourishes cartilage by stimulating synovial fluid circulation
  • It strengthens the muscles surrounding the joint, acting as natural shock absorbers
  • It reduces inflammation by lowering pro-inflammatory markers in the body
  • It improves proprioception (the body's sense of position), reducing injury and fall risk
  • It affects the brain: physical activity releases endorphins and modulates pain perception

The key is choosing the right movement, at the right intensity, at the right time.

How osteopathy fits in

Osteopathy doesn't cure osteoarthritis — no manual therapy can regenerate worn cartilage. But it plays a valuable complementary role:

  • Releasing mobility restrictions around the affected joint so movement becomes less painful
  • Treating compensations: when a knee or hip hurts, the body compensates, and it's often the back, the other knee, or the ankle that suffers
  • Supporting the return to movement by working on fascia, muscles, and overall posture
  • Reducing the reflexive muscle tension that builds up around a painful area

In my practice, I often work alongside physiotherapists and sports coaches to build a coherent, patient-centred plan.

What you can do starting today

You don't need to wait for an appointment to get moving. A few simple principles:

  • Walk regularly — even 20 to 30 minutes a day at a comfortable pace
  • Avoid long periods of stillness: get up and stretch every hour if you work sitting down
  • Choose low-impact activities: swimming, cycling, gentle yoga, Pilates
  • Listen to your body: mild discomfort during exercise is normal; sharp pain that persists afterward is a signal to respect
  • Don't self-prescribe: before changing your exercise programme, speak to a healthcare professional

When should you see an osteopath?

If joint pain is preventing you from returning to physical activity, if you've been compensating for months without realising it, or if you experience persistent morning stiffness, now is exactly the right time to book a consultation. An osteopathic assessment can identify tension patterns, release restrictions, and give you the tools to move again with confidence.

Don't wait for the pain to become disabling. Movement is your greatest ally — and I'm here to help you rediscover it.

Suffering from osteoarthritis or joint pain in Tel Aviv? Book an osteopathic consultation. Together, we'll build an approach tailored to your situation so that moving feels good again.