Massage and Arthritis
Massage is one of the most popular healing practices and has proven beneficial for many people with arthritis. Dozens of massage techniques exist, ranging from gentle to intense, but almost all aim to ease stress and sore muscles and joints.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people across the globe. It is the degeneration of joint cartilage (the protective covering over the ends of your bones) and the underlying bone. It causes pain and stiffness with the most afflicted areas being the hip, knee, spine and thumb joints.
Arthritis, regardless of type, impacts and affects the daily life of those affected. It can cause pain, stiffness and lead to disrupted sleep and reduced activity. More and more people are being diagnosed with arthritis and what was once considered an affliction of the aging population has turned its sites on not just young adults but also children.
Turning to medication isn’t always the answer for some. Alternative therapies such as massage, chiropractic care and acupuncture are more commonly being sought out for relief of arthritis pain.
People with arthritis who experience chronic symptoms may consider using massage therapy regularly to help manage their pain and stiffness, or to promote better sleep that, in turn, can relieve pain in muscles and joints.
Osteoarthritis symptoms can usually be effectively managed, although the condition cannot be reversed. It is important to stay active and maintain a healthy weight to help slow the progression of the disease. This also helps to improve pain and joint function.
Studies have shown that massage has many benefits for adults and children with arthritis. Moderate-pressure massage improves pain, stiffness, range of motion, hand grip strength and overall function in people with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.
Researchers say massage works for many reasons:
increases circulation, bringing more nutrients to tissues
lowers production of the stress hormone cortisol
reduces heart rate and blood pressure
decreases anxiety.
You are in excellent hands at Pür Balance and can discuss treatment options for managing your arthritis pain with your massage therapist. With your written consent, they are also able to help form a plan of care alongside your other healthcare practitioners such as your medical doctor, chiropractor or osteopath.
Canadian Registered Massage Therapists are some of the most respected in the world. They are required to complete one of the most in-depth programs for massage therapy with over 300 hours of hands-on clinical training as well as 2,200 hours of training in various courses such as anatomy, neurology, kinesiology, pathology and remedial exercise, to name a few. Upon graduating from school, they are then eligible to apply to take the provincial board exams, so you can be assured that your therapist has a full and complete understanding of the human body and the knowledge to be able to apply their skills to help facilitate your wellness.