Massage Therapy can help relieve Osteoarthritis Pain

 

Massage therapy can provide temporary relief from knee osteoarthritis discomfort. 

 

One of the most sought-after treatments for health and wellness across the United States, massage is employed in more than fifteen million people throughout the U.S., according to the National Institutes of Health. Massage is also a therapy that could benefit those suffering from osteoarthritis..

"When carried out by a skilled massage therapist with specifically selected individuals, the practice of massage can be an excellent supplement to conventional osteoarthritis treatment," says Valerie Voner who is a certified massage therapist and former director of the program for massage therapy in Cape Cod Community College in West Barnstable, Massachusetts, and the founder of the New England Institute of Reflexology and Universal Studies.

Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritisthat affects around 31 million Americans as per the Arthritis Foundation -- occurs due to wear and tear that breaks down the cartilage cushion between the joints, which causes stiffness and pain.

A Look at the Science Behind Massage Therapy and Osteoarthritis

"It's difficult to find reliable studies on the use of massage therapy to treat osteoarthritis since there have been only a few conducted studies in controlled trials," Voner says. "It's difficult to gauge the level of relaxation and well-being objectively."

Some tiny studies have proven that massage therapy may be beneficial for a variety of arthritis-related ailments:

• Lower back pain Patients who took part in 10 sessions of massage therapy noticed improvements in their chronic lowback pain. lower back discomfort according to research that was published in July's edition of The Journal of Pain Medicine.

• Pain in the neck The study was published back in the year 2014 by The Journal of Complementary Therapy in clinical practice discovered that massage therapy may aid in relieving pain and increasing mobility in those suffering from neck arthritis.

• knee painful A study that was published at the end of 2006 by Archives of Internal Medicine discovered that patients who had massage therapy to treat arthritis of the knee noticed reductions in stiffness and pain. A follow-up study published the same year in the journal PLoS one and found that the most effective method of relief is a regular one-hour session Swedish massage. The study that appeared in the August 2015 issue of the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine also discovered the fact that Chinese massage therapy could provide temporary relief from knee pain due to osteoarthritis..

While there's no evidence to prove that massage therapy is effective but it is suggested by the Arthritis Foundation notes that it can reduce levels of cortisol hormone, which is a stress-related hormone. cortisol and boost the levels of mood-enhancing hormones, such as serotonin..

Therapeutic Methods to Osteoarthritis Therapy

• Trigger points This kind of massage eases the pain in particular parts of the body through using pressure or vibrations on trigger points, as The Arthritis Foundation explains.

• Reiki It is based upon Reiki is based on the Eastern conviction that the energy is a tool in healing Reiki can be described as a type of massage where the practitioner channels energy through the body to promote healing. The hands of the massage therapist hover or gently contact the body. While the therapy is believed as safe studies haven't yet established how effective the treatment works as per the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

• Shiatsu Shiatsu Japanese massage technique employs the continuous, rhythmic movement of palms and fingers in order to apply pressure on specific locations on the body. (The principle behind shiatsu is that the technique helps to restore the flow of energy that is healthy, known as Qi.) This kind of massage is an excellent alternative for people who do not want to remove their clothing to get a massage since it is done in a fully-clothed.

• Swedish Therapists who massage employs lengthy strokes and circular movements applied pressure and kneading, to assist in relaxing muscles, reduce soreness and improve oxygen flow.

• Reflexology The idea of reflexology states that exerting pressure on particular points on the hands or feet helps to ease tension in different parts of the body. It can be helpful for people who are too sensitive to direct contact with different parts of the body.

How to Personalize Your Massage

Dina Gilmore is a certified massage therapist from Denver she has suffered from joint and bone discomfort for the majority years of her. In her younger years, claims doctors dismissed her complaints as a result of growing pains, and blamed her condition to being an athlete. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis was made in 2012 after X-rays taken following an injury revealed that she was suffering from the degenerative disease of bones.

Gilmore believes massage is an essential to her osteoarthritis treatment plan. "It helps control these symptoms" Gilmore says. "Massage assists in lessen the discomfort following the hard work I do throughout the day." Gilmore was massage therapists as a way to ease pain for other people. "I discovered how great it feels to help people be more comfortable," she says.

Gilmore suggests trying different kinds or massage techniques until you can find one that can provide relief. There are no two bodies that are identical, she says that's why it could take some trial and trial and. It's also important to let your massage therapists know that you have arthritis , and to inform them whether something is a good feeling and when it's not.

If you're unsure about getting massage, make a call and request that the therapist explain the procedure as well as answer questions that you might have. If you're not able to lay on a table, you can ask to have a massage in a chair. If you're uncomfortable removing your clothing to receive massage, you may ask to remain completely or at least partially clothed. "It's your time," Gilmore says. "It must be tailored to suit your requirements."

Tips to Find affordable massages

The addition of a massage every week to your budget might be difficult when you're dealing with other issues. Check out these strategies to ease the financial burden

• Ask for a package deal. Massage therapists often offer discounts if they know they'll be working with clients frequently, Gilmore says.

• Get a massage gift card whenever someone special wants to know what gift ideas you'd love.

• Find specials on social media websites such as Groupon and LivingSocial. Massage therapists typically offer huge discounts to grow their client base.

• You can join an establishment that is a franchise. Most often, you'll pay for fixed number of massages each month and will receive discounts on subsequent appointments.

Other important things to remember:

• Massage therapists may not be certified in the field of pain management.

• The use of massage therapy does not constitute an alternative to medical treatment. Always consult your physician that you are taking any other alternative or complementary osteoarthritis treatments.

• Not every person is a suitable candidate for each type of massage. For example deep tissue massage isn't suitable for people with bleeding problems or is taking the blood thinner route. Before you go through any kind of massage, discuss with your physician whether or not the treatment is suitable for you.