AARP reports that more than 70 percent of adults 50 and older say they experience pain in their joints from arthritis. And for many older adults, that pain occurs in the knees.

But a new study finds that a few simple tools can help tame these aches. When researchers combed through existing studies on nondrug treatments that provide the most relief for knee osteoarthritis, knee braces, water therapy (or water exercise) and traditional exercise came out on top.

David A. Wang, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS, says he isn’t surprised that knee braces, hydrotherapy and exercise were the top performers in the meta-analysis. They all put less pressure on the knee, which can ease pain and improve function, he explains. But just because these therapies ranked high in the research doesn’t mean they will work for everyone.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all for arthritis,” Dr. Wang says.

It’s important to note that there’s no cure for knee osteoarthritis other than a total knee replacement. For those looking to avoid or delay surgery, all you can do otherwise is manage symptoms, Dr. Wang says.

Read the full article at AARP.org.