Therapeutic Approaches For Osteoarthritis Treatment
According to the Arthritis Foundation, massage offers a range of potential benefits to people with arthritis. Types of massage include:
- Trigger point This type of massage relieves pain in specific areas of the body by applying pressure or vibration at trigger points, the Arthritis Foundation explains.
- Reiki Based on the Eastern belief that energy can be used to heal, Reiki is a form of massage in which the practitioner guides energy through your body to stimulate healing. The massage therapist’s hands hover over or very lightly touch your body. Though the therapy appears to be safe, research hasn’t yet shown how effective the treatment is, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
- Shiatsu This Japanese massage technique uses continuous, rhythmic motions of the fingers and palms to apply pressure to particular points of the body. This type of massage is a good option for someone who does not want to disrobe for a massage, as its done fully clothed.
- Swedish A massage therapist uses long strokes, circular movements of applied pressure, and kneading to help relax muscles, reduce soreness, and increase oxygen flow.
- Reflexology The theory behind reflexology is that applying pressure to specific spots on the hands and feet brings relief to other parts of the body. This may be beneficial for people who are too tender for direct touch on other parts of the body.
Does My Health Fund Cover Massage Therapy
Many health funds provide rebates for remedial massage therapy treatments in Australia if performed by members of the Massage & Myotherapy Australia or equivalent organisation. To ensure you are covered, contact your health fund and check with your therapist when making your appointment.
When Massage Can Help With Joint Pain And When It Cant
So, when can massage help with joint pain and when cant it?
While theres a promising amount of research pointing to the fact that massage can help joint pain for certain people , there may be times when massage isnt your best bet.
If youve got certain conditions like blood clotting disorders, heart disease, or specific skin conditions, you should wait to proceed until you can get some guidance from a physician. They can help you figure out whether massage is right for you, and if there are any precautions you should take before getting started.
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What Are The Types Of Massage For Arthritis Relief
As mentioned, massage can help reduce pain and inflammation by releasing the muscles around the joints and helping to increase blood flow to the area. It can be achieved by massaging the body as a whole or with a more targeted application to specific areas of pain. It depends on the client and the state. Some modalities have proven better suited, and others may need to be avoided.
Swedish massage or relaxation massage incorporates long, circular stroking and kneading that can help circulate blood through the muscles and remove inflammation byproducts that build up in the affected joints. Kneading techniques can be used, in which the skin is lifted, kneaded and rolled, which helps lengthen the tissues that connect to muscles, reduce tension and promote mobility around the joint. This releases anxiety and stress, promoting overall relaxation of the body.
Therapeutic massage is another style that tends to be firmer in pressure and targets problem areas to directly treat chronic arthritis pain around a joint. This technique is best received regularly for temporarily relieving symptoms of arthritis.
As the name suggests, deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. This style can lead to more intense pain after the massage, which may not be ideal for people with arthritis.
Can Massage Therapy Help With Arthritis Pain
There are many health benefits of massage, but can it ease the pain of arthritis?
Whether you get a massage in serene spa or a treatment room at a physical therapy clinic, it is clear that it has become increasingly popular among people seeking to ease anxiety, improve sleep, or soothe sore joints and muscles.
Research suggests that massage can affect the bodys production of certain hormones linked to blood pressure, anxiety, heart rate and other key vital signs. But is massage safe and effective for people with arthritis?
The answer is yes. Regular massages can be a key part of your arthritis treatment and self-care.
Many people think of massage as a luxury. But for people living with arthritis or related pain, the right type of massage isnt just a way to treat yourself it can help with your pain relief. Massages can help reduce pain and inflammation by releasing the muscles around the joints and helping to increase blood flow to them.
Consider these studies:
Knee osteoarthritis : A handful of studies, including a 2018 study published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine, have found massage to be beneficial for people with knee osteoarthritis. The 2018 study, which assigned 200 patients with knee OA into one of three treatment groups, found those receiving a one-hour whole-body massage weekly experienced significant improvement in pain and mobility after eight weeks compared to those receiving light touch or standard care.
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Take An Epsom Salt Bath
What you do right after your massage can be just as important as the massage itself. Many therapists recommend that you take a warm bath with Epsom salts at home after the massage, Vickman says. The heat and magnesium may help keep your muscles loose and limber and will help you stay in a relaxed state.
Technique #3 Hand Massage Machine
A hand massager is a great choice if you dont have the strength to do the six-minute massage above.
There are machines out there that can perform similar massages on your hands, without the need of you having to do it to yourself.
The hand massager that we found to be best at giving hand massages for arthritis is the Lunix Cordless Electric Hand Massager .
Why We Like It
This massager is 100% adjustable, with different intensity settings based on your specific needs.
Its important to remember that you do not want to feel pain during your massage.
Before using, make sure that the massager is fully charged. Place your hand inside the opening and choose the specific massage technique that feels best for your hand.
Relaxing Heat Feature
Another nice feature of the Lunix Cordless Massager is that you can choose to use heat and vibration during the massage.
Most customers using this massager for arthritis symptoms found that the heat feature provides quick relief from their pain.
Dont Overdo It
Its important not to overdo it, but as long as you dont feel pain during the massage you should be able to use this hand massager as often as you want.
Getting a great arthritis hand massage with the Lunix Cordless Massager is as easy as pressing a button.
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Massage Can Ease Joint Pain
In a small 2019 study, researchers found that a 20-minute, once-a-week massage helped participants ease their hip pain and sleep better. Theres also been research showing massage may help with hand pain and neck pain.
But how can massage provide these pain-relieving benefits? For one, it offers a boost of oxygen-rich, healing blood flow to targeted areas. At the same time, it loosens up the muscles surrounding the joints for more free-flowing movement.
Massage May Help Knee Osteoarthritis
Less Knee Pain and Stiffness Seen With Swedish Massage in Preliminary Study
Dec. 11, 2006 âKnees hurt? Massage may cut the pain and improve function if you have knee osteoarthritis, a new study shows.
Massage therapyâseems to be a viable optionâ as an addition to other treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee, write the researchers.
Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is mainly seen in older adults. In osteoarthritis, joints are damaged as cartilage, the jointsâ shock absorbers, wears down.
Osteoarthritis often affects the knees, making it hard to walk. The disease can become disabling.
Massage might improve joint flexibility and circulation, note the researchers, including Adam Perlman, MD, MPH, and David Katz, MD, MPH.
Perlman works at the Institute for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Katz is on staff at Yale Universityâs medical school.
âMassage is free of any known side effects and, according to our results, clearly shows therapeutic promise,â Katz says in a Yale news release.
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Not All Massages Are Created Equal And The Best One For You Depends On Your Symptoms
There are dozens of different types of massage and there may be one that works better for your particular symptoms, says Jamie Bacharach, an acupuncturist and shiatsu massage therapist in Jerusalem, Israel. The type of massage you need will depend on what kind of arthritis you have and the severity of your disease, she explains. The first step is to find a massage therapist who has experience treating arthritis, she says. Tell them your concerns before you lie down on the table. She also recommends consulting with your doctor about what kind of massages would be safe and effective to treat your personal case of arthritis.
Can Massage Make Inflammation Worse
Massage is like exercise: it forces blood into your muscles, bringing in nutrients and removing toxins. This process can temporarily increase inflammation in areas that the body thinks need attention. This inflammation can cause discomfort.
Should you massage inflamed areas? Massage therapy is widely used as a tool to relieve pain and promote recovery of injured muscles. The hypothesized effects of massage included reducing inflammation, improved blood flow, and reduced tissue stiffness, all of which contribute to pain relief, the authors continued.
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When You Go For Your Massage Treatment
Explain your pain. Be specific about the joints that hurt and how much they hurt. For example, even though moderate-pressure massage is helpful, Millar warned that deep pressure or high heat applied to joints that are actively inflamed could actually make pain and swelling worse. Be sure to tell your masseuse if you feel pain at any time during the massage.
Drink lots of water to avoid dehydration. Dr. Davis explained that massage with any degree of pressure will affect the water flow in your body and will be more effective if you are well-hydrated. We recommend drinking half your weight in ounces of water, she said. So if you weigh 150 pounds, aim for 75 ounces of water daily to avoid dehydration.
What To Know About Self
Supplementing treatment with self-massage can increase the benefits of massage therapy. This is also an option if you cant afford regular treatments. Larger, more vigorous strokes can help you warm up muscles, as can applying heat prior to starting. After you have warmed up, continue with smaller strokes, rubbing back and forth across a particular area, or applying pressure. You may want to book a session with a massage therapist to learn some techniques you can use on yourself.
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Can Massage Therapy Alleviate Arthritis Pain
The pain of arthritis can leave even the toughest individual writhing in pain. When it gets bad, people often turn to medication to dull the ache. But recent findings suggest that it may be worth looking into massage therapy instead.
The great thing about getting a massage is that the effects are immediate as well as long-lasting. A proper massage can help reduce inflammation, lessen stiffness, increase mobility, and ease the pain. Even a simple fifteen-minute hand massage at home has been shown to improve grip strength and reduce muscle tightness.
Considerations And Risks To Keep In Mind
As with anything that affects your health, there are some considerations to keep in mind before trying massage therapy for arthritis.
Heres what to know:
- Talk to your doctor before adding massage to your routine. There are over 100 different conditions that can lead to arthritis, and certain types may respond better to physical touch than others. A doctors expertise can help you make an educated decision as to whether massage is right for you.
- Look out for any contraindications of massage for arthritis. You might not be a good candidate if youve suffered significant joint erosion or have skin conditions that could become aggravated by touch. Check with a doctor if you have high blood pressure, varicose veins, or another condition that may become affected by massage.
- Avoid massaging directly on joints, especially when youre in a flare-up. Try to keep the massage close to the area, rather than on top of it. In doubt, know that massage should make you feel relaxed and at ease, and it should not cause you pain.
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Performing Massages At Home
The most effective massages are those that are performed by trained individuals. However, you can learn to give massages at home. Still, there is likely to be a learning curve so be prepared to not be great at it at first.
Learning massaging techniques allows you to help deal with your cats pain when it appears. Plus, it allows you to pick times that work best for your feline in places your cat feels most relaxed. You can turn a typical cuddle session into a massage.
Often, vets can teach some of these techniques or provide resources that can.
How Can You Help Your Dog With Arthritis
Even though there is no known cure for arthritis, you can still take steps to alleviate your dogs discomfort. Some things you can do is help your pet maintain a healthy weight and try natural remedies for arthritis.
Another option is canine massage therapy. Performing a massage can relieve the pain symptoms and slow down the progression of arthritis.
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Massage As Part Of A Larger Plan For ‘taking Care Of Yourself’
For people with psoriatic arthritis, the goal of massage therapy isnt necessarily just about relieving aches and pains, according to Dass. Massage could be part of a larger treatment plan that includes other complementary therapies, such as diet and lifestyle changes, he says.
Part of being healthy with psoriatic arthritis is making sure youre doing things to feel good about yourself, says Domingues. Getting a massage is a block of time youre dedicating to you. When youre getting a massage, its about you and taking care of yourself.
Diy Tips And Pointers For Self
Self-massage also can help relieve pain and improve movement, whether done alone or in between massage therapy sessions, says Bob McAtee, CSCS, licensed massage therapist and owner of Pro-Active Massage Therapy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, who offers these suggestions:
- Moderate pressure is more effective than light. However, dont push too deep. Stop or lighten up if it feels painful, to avoid irritating inflamed joints.
- Use longer strokes rather than short pinpoint pressure. Your aim is to mobilize tissue and warm up the whole area, as opposed to specific pressure against certain joints.
- If needed, just a little direct moderate pressure at the end of the self-massage after tissue is warmed up can be helpful. Do only 15 to 30 seconds at a time on a hot spot, as long as it isnt painful. You should be comfortable at all times.
- Massage only for more than 5 to 10 minutes total at any given time on any given spot.
- If RA in hands and fingers make massage difficult, place one hand palm up on thigh and use your forearm to massage the palm. Flip your palm down and massage the back with your forearm. You can also use a handheld portable massager for other areas.
- Gently warm up the area with topical analgesics.
- In general, the best times to massage are in the morning, when you wake up feeling stiff, and in the evening, to encourage comfortable sleep.
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Which Example Is An Absolute Contraindication For Massage
Massage should not be performed on areas of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, weakened bones , or areas that have recently undergone surgery.
Which of the following statements is an example of a contraindication for massage?
Total contraindications fever. Contagious diseases, including any cold or flu, no matter how mild it may seem. Under the influence of drugs or alcohol including prescription pain relievers. Recent surgeries or acute injuries.
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The Science Behind Massage Therapy And Osteoarthritis
“It’s hard to find good research on massage therapy for osteoarthritis because there have been few controlled studies,” Voner says. “It’s hard to measure relaxation and well-being objectively.”
Still, some small studies have shown that massage therapy can be effective for various arthritis-related pains:
- Low back pain People who participated in 10 massage therapy sessions saw improvements in their chronic low-back pain, according to a study published in the July 2017 issue of the journal Pain Medicine.
- Neck pain A study published in 2014 in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice found that massage therapy can help relieve pain and increase range of motion in people with neck arthritis.
- Knee pain A study published in 2006 in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who received massage therapy for knee osteoarthritis reported seeing improvements in their pain and stiffness. A follow-up study, published in 2012 in PLoS One, found that the optimal treatment for relief is a weekly 60-minute session of Swedish massage. A study in the August 2015 Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine also found that Chinese massage therapy can bring short-term relief from osteoarthritis knee pain.
Although theres no proof that shows how massage therapy works, the Arthritis Foundation notes that it may lower the production of the stress hormone cortisol and increase the levels of mood-boosting hormones like serotonin.
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