For those experiencing osteoarthritis pain in the knee, in addition to taking such as glucosamine, tai chi may be an alternative treatment for the discomfort.

A new study from Arthritis Care and Research found that osteoarthritis patients over age 65 who engage in tai chi on a regular basis reported that they experienced less knee pain.

Tai chi is a form of Chinese martial arts that is used to improve balance, strength, flexibility and mental relaxation.

The researchers split 40 participants experiencing osteoarthritis in the knee into groups of two. The first group was asked to complete a 12-week tai chi program, and the other group was designated to an informational class with 20 minutes of stretching over a 12-week period.

It was found that those who participated in the tai chi program reported significantly less pain than the other group, leading researchers to conclude that tai chi may be a more beneficial alternative treatment.