Treadmill may be remedy for painful condition

January 14, 2009 They've discovered that people with the painful condition known as peripheral artery disease can improve their walking endurance by spending time on a treadmill.

People with PAD often experience crippling pain and cramps when they do even mild exercise. To avoid pain, they often do not exercise, but that may actually be making things worse.

Northwestern University researchers in Chicago studied groups of patients, some of whom exercised and others that did not. They found the treadmill walkers experienced leg strengthening and had an improved quality of life.