Cycling: an excellent activity for patients suffering from knee or hip osteoarthritis.

June 2026 blog.

When living with knee or hip osteoarthritis, staying active can sometimes feel counterintuitive. Yet inactivity often contributes to increased pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility. Among the most recommended forms of exercise for these patients, cycling — especially stationary biking — stands out as one of the safest and most effective options.

Why is cycling so well suited for osteoarthritis?

Unlike high-impact activities such as running or jumping sports, cycling allows the joints to move with minimal compressive stress.

The repetitive cycling motion helps:

  • lubricate the joints;
  • maintain range of motion;
  • strengthen the quadriceps and gluteal muscles;
  • improve joint stability;
  • enhance cardiovascular fitness;
  • support weight management, an important factor in osteoarthritis progression.

Stationary bikes also offer several practical advantages:

  • a controlled environment;
  • no risk related to traffic or uneven terrain;
  • precise resistance adjustment;
  • gradual and safe progression.

What does the science say?

A systematic review and meta-analysis published in Clinical Rehabilitation in 2021 examined the effects of stationary cycling in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Researchers observed significant reductions in pain as well as improvements in physical function following regular stationary bike programs. (journals.sagepub.com)

The authors concluded that stationary cycling is a safe and effective intervention for reducing symptoms associated with knee osteoarthritis, particularly pain.

Regarding hip osteoarthritis, a major systematic review published in 2023 demonstrated that therapeutic exercise improves both pain and function in patients with hip osteoarthritis. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Although the studies did not focus exclusively on cycling, low-impact exercises such as biking were consistently among the most recommended approaches.

Earlier meta-analyses had already reached similar conclusions: regular exercise reduces pain and improves physical function in individuals with hip osteoarthritis. (sciencedirect.com

Stationary biking

Stationary biking is often preferable at the beginning of a rehabilitation or exercise program because it allows a better intensity control, a steady cadence, less apprehension and a safer environment.

Practical tips to avoid irritation

Cycling is generally very well tolerated — provided the bike is properly adjusted.

A few important recommendations:

  • set the seat high enough to avoid excessive knee flexion;
  • begin with low resistance;
  • prioritize smooth cadence over high intensity;
  • gradually increase duration;

Moving without worsening osteoarthritis

For many years, people mistakenly believed that joint degeneration meant they should “protect” the joint by avoiding movement. Today, scientific evidence clearly shows that appropriately prescribed physical activity is one of the first-line treatments for osteoarthritis. Movement not only helps reduce pain, but also preserves independence and quality of life.

Cycling therefore represents an accessible, safe, and highly effective way to keep joints moving without excessive loading.

Every case is different

It is important to remember that every person suffering from osteoarthritis has a different condition. The duration, intensity, and type of cycling (stationary bike, road bike, electric-assisted bike, etc.) should be adapted according to the symptoms, tolerance for exertion, and overall physical condition. Your chiropractor can guide you in choosing the most appropriate and safest way to cycle if you suffer from osteoarthritis in the knee or hip, in order to maximize the benefits while minimizing discomfort.


References

Fransen M, et al. Does land-based exercise reduce pain and disability associated with hip osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2010. (sciencedirect.com)

Luan L, et al. Stationary cycling exercise for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2021. (journals.sagepub.com)

Teirlinck CH, et al. Effect of exercise therapy in patients with hip osteoarthritis: A systematic review and cumulative meta-analysis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage Open. 2023. (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)

Stay in motion!

We help each member of the family to relieve their pain or other symptoms, correct their posture and obtain optimal spinal function, and then to maintain optimal health through, amongst others, regular adjustments and physical activity.

From pain relief to optimal health

To be without pain… is this being cured? Of course not. In our society, little emphasis is placed on prevention. Yet everyone agrees that “prevention is better than cure”. Prevention is not only economical; it is also the best way to not lose valuable time on being sick.

1. Intensive initial care
If you suffer from acute pain, emphasis will first be put on relieving the symptoms. Your chiropractor will nonetheless do a complete health check and will also examine your spine and your posture during your first visit.

Pain that suddenly appears following for example, a false movement, is often the result of several months, even several years of poor function. It is essential that your chiropractor examine you thoroughly to detect all possible causes of your acute symptoms.

In addition to spinal “adjustments”, muscle work and other therapies performed during your first visits, your chiropractor will provide advice in order to quickly regain control over your acute condition.

2. Corrective care
During your third visit, your chiropractor will recommend corrective care. We will explain whatthis implies: the time required, the frequency of visits, the exercises to do and any recommendations that your chiropractor may give you in order for to you obtain optimum health.

Corrective care requires time. Posture disorders, misalignment of the spine and other disorders that your chiropractor will recommend correcting have settled slowly over the years. This is true, even if thepain has appeared recently due to something insignificant.

3. Preventive and periodic care
Once you have completed your corrective care, your chiropractor will usually recommend periodic preventive care, also known as wellness treatment. They have several objectives and benefits:

– Maintaining optimal function of your spine.
– Preventing relapses of acute injuries such lower back injuries.
– Early detection, before symptoms appear, of posture and spine disorders.
– Monitoring problems or discomfort you feel on a daily basis.
– Maintaining your current file at our clinic, in order to facilitate access to care, in case of an emergency or pressing need.
– Getting answers to your questions concerning your health from an available qualified Healthcare Professional.

Stay in Motion: Strength Training and Aerobic Exercise Are Excellent Anti-Aging Allies.

January 2026 blog.

At Centre chiropratique Dr Lepage chiropraticien, our new slogan is simple but meaningful: “Stay in motion.” It reflects what we see every day in the clinic and what science has confirmed for a long time: movement is one of the best strategies for maintaining your independence and slowing the effects of aging.

Our bodies are designed to move. Unfortunately, our lifestyle often keeps us sitting and motionless for long periods. Over time, this lack of movement can lead to stiffness, joint pain, poor posture, and reduced ranges of motion. Chiropractic adjustments improve joint mobility, but your daily habits help your body retain these benefits between visits.

Strength Training: An Anti-Aging Tool

Recent studies confirm that the loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) begins as early as age 30, accelerates after age 50, but can be effectively countered through resistance exercises (strength training). Strengthening your muscles the right way increases bone density and metabolism, improves posture, maintains good mobility, and helps preserve balance. Just two to three sessions per week are enough to produce significant benefits.

Just two to three sessions of resistance exercises per week are enough to produce significant benefits.

The Importance of Aerobic Physical Activity

Being active for at least 150 minutes per week can help reduce the risk of premature death, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, overweight, and obesity! Physical activity also, of course, improves fitness, strength, and mental health (mood and self-esteem).

Adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, in sessions of 10 minutes or more. Moreover, the benefits of physical activity continue to increase even beyond the recommended 150 minutes per week.

Adults should perform at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, in sessions of 10 minutes or more.

Regular chiropractic adjustments, strength training 2–3 times per week, and following Canadian recommendations for aerobic physical activity will truly help you stay in motion at every stage of life.

Consistency is the key. We’re here to support you. Stay in motion. Stay strong. Stay young.

Family Chiropractic

The clientele we serve is composed mainly of families whose members place health as their basic value, participate in regular physical activities and maintain good postural hygiene, as well as a healthy lifestyle.

We help each member of these families to relieve their pain or other symptoms, correct their posture and obtain optimal spinal function, and then to maintain optimal health through, amongst others, regular adjustments and physical activity.

family-kids-happy-people-46252

Sports Chiropractic

Over the past 24 years, we have helped more than 5000 people to relieve their pain, correct their posture and find lasting solutions in order to maintain optimal health. Also, many athletes at all levels were able to resume competition and perform at their personal best, thanks to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries we offer.

With the growing popularity of running, many of our patients practice this activity with passion and commitment. Dr. Lepage being a marathoner himself, our patients arevery confident in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries related to running, in the preparation forlong-distance events or simply to learn how to start running without injury.

Digital x-rays.

The benefits of digital x-rays for chiropractic care

Since August 2019, our x-rays facilities are all digital.  Digital direct radiography (DR) produces images of outstanding quality. A flat panel detector directly converts the pattern of incident Xray energy into electrical signals. Imaging plates, cassettes and Xray scanners are no longer needed . The Xray images are available for diagnosis immediately after exposure. The advantages are numerous:

  • Use 70% less radiation than traditional film x-rays.
  • Take less time to take and are easier to take than traditional film x-rays.
  • Have better quality viewing capabilities than traditional film x-rays.
  • Take the waiting out of the development process allowing us to see what is going on immediately.
  • Prevent issues from going undetected and/or missed.
  • Are easily stored on a computer.
  • Can be easily transferred to your family doctor when referrals are needed.
  • Environmentally-friendly.