Benefits of Massage for Arthritis

Firtly the health benefits of massage for Arthritis are varied, but can it ease the pain of arthritis? Find out what’s
proven to work best, and what you should know about massage for arthritis.

 

 

Massage and Arthritis

 

 

Regular massage of muscles and joints, whether by a licensed, can lead to a significant reduction in pain for people with arthritis. Recent studies on the effects of massage for arthritis symptoms, regular use of the simple therapy led to improvements in pain, stiffness, range of motion.

The massage group reported significant improvements in knee pain, stiffness, function, range of motion and walking, the researchers found.

Massage also benefits people with painful hand or wrist arthritis.

Twenty-two adults, mostly women,
diagnosed with hand or wrist arthritis were given four weekly massages from a
therapist and taught to massage their sore joints daily at home. Just a
15-minute, moderate pressure massage per day led to reduced pain and anxiety,
and increased grip strength for the participants as measured on comparative
pre- and post-therapy tests.

A number of studies confirm the effectiveness of massage for back and neck pain, including one published in 2011 in the Annals of Internal Medicine that looked at the effectiveness of massage therapy on 401 people with chronic low back pain. Further, the researchers found that massage did reduce their pain, and the benefits lasted at least six months. So they concluded that the type of massage wasn’t that important – different types worked about the same.

How Does Massage Work?

 

 

While some studies show that massage can reduce pain and anxiety for people with arthritis, how exactly does massage make these results happen? Research has shown that massage can lower the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol, and boost production of serotonin, which, in turn, can improve mood.

In 2010, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine and the nearby Cedars-Sinai Medical Center studied 53 healthy adults receiving just one Swedish massage therapy session and found that the participants’ levels of key hormones and white blood cells were positively affected. As an exampleFor example, the hormone arginine-vasopressin, which may lower blood pressure, was decreased, along with some inflammatory cytokines like IL-4 and IL-10.

Best Types of Massage for Arthritis

 

 

If you’re interested in trying one of the many types of massage as a way to ease your arthritis symptoms, it’s important to consult your rheumatologist or primary-care physician first to ensure that massage is safe for you. Some techniques may involve strong pressure to sensitive tissues and joints, or moving limbs into various positions that may be difficult for someone with damaged joints from a disease like rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis. Benefits of Massage for Arthritis

Damaged or eroded joints from arthritis

Flare of inflammation, fever or a skin rash

Severe osteoporosis (brittle bones)

High blood pressure

Varicose veins

Goals

Your goals for massage may vary. Furthermore talk openly with your massage therapist about your goals for the session so she can adjust the technique accordingly. There is no set way to perform a massage; she should be flexible to your needs. Benefits of Massage for Arthritis

 

 

Massage is not medicine. It’s a complement to your doctor-prescribed arthritis treatment. You should enjoy experiencing a massage, and it should not increase your pain or anxiety. Communication with your doctor and massage therapist beforehand can ensure that massage is right for you and help you achieve beneficial results.

Article sourced from https://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/other-therapies/massage/massage-benefits.php

Please visit www.https://madisonhealthstyle.com.au/massage