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THERAPIES & TRADITIONS · GUIDE

Tai Chi for Arthritis and Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence

What guidelines, reviews and two trials show about tai chi for knee osteoarthritis and other arthritis, including where the evidence is weak and what to check first.

Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.

Back to Tai Chi: History, What a Class Involves and What Research Shows
Quick answer
For knee osteoarthritis, tai chi has more support than for most other joint conditions. Updated 2019 guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation strongly recommend tai chi for managing both knee and hip osteoarthritis. [1] For rheumatoid arthritis the picture is unclear. [1] Tai chi is a way to stay active, not a treatment that repairs a joint.

Evidence labels: established, promising but limited, mixed, insufficient evidence.

Evidence by condition

4 findings · 1 supported · 3 limited or unclearThe colour follows the evidence label on each card.

  1. Knee osteoarthritis

    Promising but limited, with a guideline recommendation

    NCCIH describes a 2021 review that found evidence of low-to-moderate strength that tai chi was beneficial; its authors said high-quality studies are needed. [1]

  2. Hip osteoarthritis

    Proper evidence not found beyond the guideline

    The same guidelines recommend tai chi. [1] We found no separate trial summary in the sources we read.

  3. Rheumatoid arthritis

    Insufficient evidence

    NCCIH: it is unclear whether tai chi relieves pain. [1] A review it describes rated evidence very low. [1]

  4. Falls in people with osteoarthritis

    Insufficient evidence

    NCCIH says it is unknown whether tai chi reduces falls in people with osteoarthritis. [1]

Two knee trials

Tai chi against physical therapy (2016). 204 people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis took either tai chi or standard physical therapy; tai chi was twice a week for 12 weeks. [2] Both groups improved. The difference between groups was not significant. [2] No serious adverse events occurred, and the authors noted people knew which treatment they had. [2] So the trial supports tai chi as comparable to a standard course of physical therapy, not better.

Tai chi against wellness education and stretching (2009). A smaller single-blind trial of 40 people with symptomatic tibiofemoral osteoarthritis used 10 modified Yang-style forms twice weekly for 12 weeks, compared with an attention control of wellness education and stretching. [3] The tai chi group had significantly greater improvement in WOMAC pain, a standard knee-pain questionnaire. [3] No severe adverse events were observed. [3] With only 40 people, the result needs confirming.

Why the limits matter

Pain and function scores are self-reported, and nobody can be blinded to whether they are doing tai chi. Some benefit may come from attention, group company and expectation. That does not mean it is useless; it means the size of the benefit is uncertain.

Other movement options for the same joint

Baduanjin, a qigong form, has weak trial evidence for knee osteoarthritis; see qigong forms. For yoga, see yoga for arthritis. For acupuncture, see acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis.

Frequently asked questions

Is tai chi recommended for knee osteoarthritis?

Yes, strongly, in 2019 guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation, though NCCIH notes more high-quality studies are needed. [1]

Is tai chi as good as physical therapy for knee pain?

In one trial of 204 people the difference was not significant, so the two had similar benefit. [2]

Does tai chi help rheumatoid arthritis?

Unclear. NCCIH says it is unclear whether tai chi relieves rheumatoid arthritis pain. [1]

Can tai chi make joints worse?

Studies reported minor aches. [1] The NHS warns that overdoing exercise can harm joints. [4]

How long do trials last?

The two knee trials above used twice-weekly classes for 12 weeks. [2][3]

More details: evidence, limits and cautions

The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.

Safety and who should check first
  • The NHS calls exercise one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis whatever your age or fitness. [4]
  • It also warns there is a risk that doing too much too quickly, or the wrong sort of exercise, may damage your joints, and advises discussing a new exercise plan with your GP or physiotherapist. [4]
  • NCCIH says tai chi appears to be safe, with minor side effects such as aches and pain. [1]
  • Harvard Health suggests telling your care team before starting if you have a limiting musculoskeletal problem. [5]

Do not use tai chi to delay seeing a clinician about new, severe or worsening joint pain, swelling or locking. Background: Tai Chi, tai chi styles.

References
  1. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Tai Chi: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.
  2. Wang C et al. Comparative Effectiveness of Tai Chi Versus Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 2016. Read 2026-10-22.
  3. Wang C et al. Tai Chi is effective in treating knee osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 2009. Read 2026-10-22.
  4. NHS (UK). Osteoarthritis: Treatment. Read 2026-10-22.
  5. Harvard Health Publishing. The Health Benefits of Tai Chi. Read 2026-10-22.
Education, not medical advice. This page is for general information. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for care from a qualified health professional. Natural does not automatically mean safe. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before changing your care, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a health condition.