For millions of adults living with aching, stiff knees, the first instinct is often to reach for a pain pill. But new research suggests there may be a better path to relief that doesn’t start in the medicine cabinet. A recent analysis of knee osteoarthritis treatments found that knee bracing, hydrotherapy, and exercise can outperform some drug-based approaches for easing pain and improving mobility. That’s welcome news for people looking for safer, long-term ways to manage one of the world’s most common joint conditions.
