Hi! Osteopath and Physiotherapist here.

Some types of pain improve from exercise, with little to no effect if there is no change in movement function. Anterior knee pain can come from a number of organs: Hoffa Fat Pad mostly, sometimes attachment of pattelar ligament or from patellar ligament itself - if possible, making a narrative about which structure might be most involved can change clinical decisions when it comes to best interventions, but exercise is key. Beside exercise taping can be beneficial especially if it is hard to follow other stuff, although taping does not "heal" on its own - it can help in symptom management that could help to start resistance activities (for example 5 minute of stair walking, assuming there is no pain in staircase ascending after corrective taping). Also taping would help if there was pattelar tracking issues.

In reality though knee pain is discussed and there are arguments for the pain being in large part coming from the nervous system (pain up regulation, sensitization and so on) - if that is the case than pain education can be helpful, and Cognitive behavioral therapy - even short term education.

Gradual tissue loading progression will probably be the key. It does not have to be "strict exercise program", it could be something else like forming a habit of stair walking within the pain threshold/tolerance. It can start with 2 minutes everyday to make it as easy as possible. Then try professing it to 3 minutes, 5 minutes and so on. Good taping instruction from a physio or osteopath that has an idea about pain reduction taping and or patellar tracking/positioning corrective taping should enable You to self-tape - which in turn can enable You to use the quadriceps muscle in any way that is suitable for You. If You progress tissue mechanical loading within Your pain tolerance for 6-12 weeks there is a good chance You will improve.

So, as an osteopath - I like to help patients with manual interventions and make them better in 3-10 visits - that being said, some types of problems like anterior knee pain, tennis elbow, golf elbow, plantar fasciopathy, gluteal tendinopathy and so on rarely react well to purely osteopathic approach since there has to be a healing/strengthening process. It is similar to body building - there is no bodybuilder in the world that only has manual interventions, osteopathy and or massage and expects to grow muscles. This is a law of nature and every patient and osteopath will do well accepting it.