🔗 Share this article Two Hours of Regular Physical Activity Reduces Joint Pain and Doctor Appointments, Study Finds Individuals experiencing painful musculoskeletal areas who participate in 120 minutes of exercise weekly experience decreased aching, visit their general practitioner less often, and take less sick leave, according to new analysis. Research Details and Approach The conclusions come from an evaluation of how forty thousand individuals with hip, back or knee pain participated in two 60-minute exercise classes weekly for 12 weeks. The effect on their lives was so substantial that it has triggered demands for healthcare systems to make physical activity a routine element of management for millions struggling with chronic pain conditions. Financial and Health Benefits If the millions of Britons with sore joints but without a treatment program exercised for 120 minutes each week, then these individuals, their relatives, the NHS, and the British economy would profit by as much as £34 billion, experts say. The organized fitness program was studied by health economists, who assessed the complimentary scheme provided to over forty thousand joint pain sufferers across different areas. Participants attended two 60-minute classes each week in specialized facilities, led by rehabilitation specialists, and performed activities to enhance their range of motion, postural control, muscle power, and cardiovascular health. Significant Improvements Observed Showed on average significantly reduced discomfort Consulted their GP significantly fewer times Used almost half as many absenteeism days Depended on their caregivers to care for them significantly less "Personalized, systematic movement is among the best interventions for people with persistent health problems. If exercise were a medication, it would be the strongest treatment on the world, yet it remains underutilized. "Including it as a therapy into mainstream healthcare would transform quality of life on a level no pharmaceutical could match", stated a leading physician. Financial Value Assessment The analysis calculated that if one hundred eighty-four thousand of the three hundred thirty-four thousand musculoskeletal sufferers engaged in the complimentary activity initiative, that would deliver £1.7bn of "social value". Extending this to include the UK population would raise that amount to thirty-four billion pounds, the analysts said. This would be composed of eighteen billion pounds of benefits from improved health, £13bn of value to family members and caregivers, a £3bn increase to the economy, and two hundred thirty million pounds in straightforward financial benefits for healthcare services. Detailed Gains For example, participants' health-related quality of life rose by 13%, which was estimated to be valued at a substantial amount in economic benefit. In the same way, their reduction in work absence was calculated to be equivalent to £501 while the 10% improvement in their family's happiness levels was valued at a significant sum. Workplace and Work Capacity Advantages At the beginning of the pain management scheme, one in four of those who attended the classes could not work, and by the conclusion of the program duration, nearly 10% were able to return to work. An academic director stated that the analysis demonstrated "the significant effect of exercise" in reducing discomfort among the millions of Britons with various chronic illnesses and constitutes "a blueprint" for a nationwide programme of professionally-guided physical activity. Medical System Proposals The NHS should "include systematic movement therapy in best practice guidance" and encourage hospitals and GP practices to direct suitable clients to them, the study said. However, nonprofit representatives noted that while exercise enhanced daily living for individuals with musculoskeletal issues, it was not the "complete answer" the research indicates; they could have challenges scheduling exercise into their schedules and often experienced "challenges in accessing effective treatment and assistance from medical services, extended waiting times to obtain a professional evaluation and absence of management alternatives". Current Programmes A six-week symptom alleviation initiative of information, movement and individual control operated by some NHS providers in the UK, called Escape Pain, which fifteen thousand patients have experienced, has been found to improve quality of life for patients with arthritis and also benefit the NHS staff hours and finances. Official Position A government health agency spokesperson commented: "We understand that living with long-term aching can have a substantial effect on daily wellbeing. We will transform the NHS by shifting care from sickness to wellness to enable individuals fit and autonomous for extended periods through our 10-year health plan. "Additionally, we will harness the capability of innovative solutions which can help maintain patients mobile. This encompasses making certain all patients with persistent discomfort have opportunity to fitness trackers as part of their care, especially in areas of deprivation."