Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by MASSAGE Magazine
Research shows that spa therapy can reduce pain, stiffness and functional limitations in people with knee osteoarthritis, with benefits lasting months after treatment ends. A clinical study found that a two-week course of spa therapy led to measurable improvements that continued for up to nine months.
For massage therapists and bodywork professionals, this research highlights how hydrotherapy, thermal treatments and manual care can play a meaningful role in managing chronic joint conditions.
What Did the Study on Spa Therapy and Osteoarthritis Find?
A clinical study involving 80 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis found that spa therapy produced significant improvements in pain and physical function compared with standard medical care alone.
The study, “Short- and Long-Term Effects of Spa Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis,” examined men and women between the ages of 54 and 81 who had experienced osteoarthritis symptoms for at least one year.
Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups:
- Spa therapy group: received thermal treatments in addition to standard care
- Control group: continued standard care only, including exercise, NSAIDs and analgesics
The spa therapy group received treatments daily over a two-week period.
What Treatments Were Included in the Spa Therapy Program?
Participants in the spa group received a combination of thermal and mineral treatments designed to relieve joint discomfort and improve mobility.
Each treatment day included:
- Mud packs applied to both knees for 20 minutes at approximately 113°F (45°C)
- Mineral baths using bicarbonate-sulfate water for 15 minutes at about 100°F (38°C)
These sessions were completed over 12 treatment days across two weeks.
Thermal mineral therapies like these are often used in European spa medicine as complementary approaches for musculoskeletal conditions.
How Were Improvements Measured?
Researchers evaluated participants five times during the study period:
- At baseline before treatment began
- Immediately after the two-week therapy period
- At three months
- At six months
- At nine months
Several outcomes were tracked, including:
- Spontaneous knee pain
- Severity of osteoarthritis symptoms
- Total pain and stiffness scores
- Physical function
- Overall quality of life
Participants also recorded daily use of NSAIDs and other pain medications.
What Results Did the Researchers Observe?
Patients who received spa therapy experienced significant reductions in knee pain and improved physical function compared with the control group.
Key findings included:
- Significant decreases in spontaneous pain after two weeks of therapy
- Improvements in stiffness and joint function
- Continued symptom relief through nine months of follow-up
In contrast, the control group showed no significant reduction in spontaneous pain during the same period.
Quality of life improved for both groups, but the spa therapy group experienced improvement much earlier—within two weeks—while the control group did not show notable changes until six months later.
Did Spa Therapy Affect Medication Use?
Yes. Participants who received spa therapy reduced their use of NSAIDs during the study.
Medication use dropped significantly after the two-week treatment period and remained lower through the six-month follow-up point. In the control group, medication use did not change significantly.
For patients managing chronic osteoarthritis pain, a reduction in reliance on anti-inflammatory drugs can be an important outcome.
What Does This Mean for Massage and Bodywork Professionals?
This research supports the broader role of therapeutic touch and spa-based treatments in managing chronic musculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis.
Massage therapists often work with clients who experience joint pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. Combining massage with complementary therapies such as hydrotherapy, thermal treatments or movement-based care can support long-term symptom management.
When working with clients managing chronic medical conditions, maintaining proper professional coverage is also part of responsible practice. Many therapists review their insurance for massage therapy to help protect their work while providing care for clients with complex health concerns.
Study Citation
Fioravanti A., Iacoponi F., Bellisai B., Cantarini L., Galeazzi M.
“Short- and Long-Term Effects of Spa Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis.”
Published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation,
Vol. 88, No. 12, December 2009.
Research conducted by the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Clinical Medicine and Immunological Sciences, University of Siena, Italy.
Why This Research Matters
Knee osteoarthritis affects millions of adults and often leads to persistent pain and mobility limitations. The findings from this study show that spa therapy can provide meaningful and lasting relief.
For massage therapists and bodywork practitioners, studies like this reinforce an important point: hands-on care, thermal therapy and structured wellness treatments can make a measurable difference in the lives of people living with chronic joint conditions.