Arthritis and Massage Therapy
One effective and natural arthritis treatment is massage therapy.
Arthritis and Massage Therapy
Approximately four (4) million Canadians suffer from some form of arthritis (The Arthritis Society of Canada). Arthritis means inflammation of a joint. The signs of inflammation are: pain, redness, swelling and heat. One or all of these signs may be present.
There are over 100 different forms of arthritis. Some of these conditions are not so common. The Arthritis Foundation has an extensive list of these arthritic conditions.
Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Two of the most common conditions are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The Arthritis Society of Canada suggests that 1 in 10 Canadians are affected by osteoarthritis, and 1 in 100 people are affected by rheumatoid arthritis.
1. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that typically affects the major weight-bearing joints: the hips, knees and spine, as well as the feet and hands. It is the degeneration and loss of cartilage that will produce the symptoms of pain, stiffness and limitation of movement in the affected joint.
2. Rheumatoid arthritis is what is known as an autoimmune disease. Essentially, your immune system retaliates against a part of your body and results in inflammation. This shows up as redness, swelling, heat and pain around the affected joint. The most common areas typically include the hands and feet, although it can also affect the elbows, shoulders, neck, jaw, ankles, knees, and hips.
Natural Arthritis Treatment: what can massage therapy do for you?
Historically, massage has been known for its numerous benefits as early as the 2nd century BC. It was Hippocrates in the fifth century who espoused the benefits of rubbing a joint.
Massage therapy cannot cure or stop the progression of any of these arthritic conditions, but massage can most assuredly ease the symptoms associated with inflammation, and help improve the quality of life of someone affected by arthritis.
The benefits of massage include:
- increase in circulation
- increase in flexibility and mobility
- decrease in pain and inflammation
- relief of muscle aches and stiffness
- a sense of overall relaxation and wellness
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© Copyright, Sylvia Carlson 2006. Reproduction without permission prohibited.
