Use for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. When it strikes the knees, it's a major cause of mobility impairment and disability. For that reason, OA of the knees is studied more often than OA in most other joints.
In a 2013 review of 20 studies on perceived pain, function, and quality of life in people with knee OA, researchers concluded that mud pack therapy was an effective alternative therapy. They did, however, call for better-designed studies to look at just how effective it could be.
A 2018 review found that mud baths and mud pack therapy for knee OA are effective for:
Reducing pain
Increasing function
Improving the quality of life
Preventing secondary knee OA (cases caused by another condition)
Reducing the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)