How Regular Massage Can Relieve Arthritis Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most prevalent chronic health problems in the United States. RA usually does not appear until middle age, but it can be found in children too. It may begin as minor joint stiffness in the mornings, but in its more severe form, RA can cause ongoing pain that may, for example, cause a hand to become contorted to the point where it becomes unusable. Oftentimes over-the-counter or prescription pain medications are taken as an attempt to relieve the symptoms, but as you may already know, massage therapy has numerous health benefits beyond its ability to help bring on relaxation.
How Regular Massage Can Relieve Arthritis Pain
As massage helps increase blood circulation, it can also help reduce muscle tension and inflammation as it helps release built-up toxins from the joints. Each individual’s preference will be different depending on many factors such as their level of pain, but one common massage type used on arthritic clients is the Swedish massage. The Swedish massage incorporates the use of long, gliding strokes that can help promote overall health and well-being. Make sure, however, to discuss your symptoms and health history with your therapist in order to help find the technique that would be most beneficial to you.
If a particular joint is having a bad flare-up on the day of your scheduled appointment, be sure to let your massage therapist know so that he or she can be especially gentle around the problem area.
It is also important to pay attention to how diet and stress levels can contribute to pain levels. Anxiety, for example, can cause a tense, arthritic hand to tighten up even more. Deep breathing can help with relaxation, but for those who feel like they need some extra relief in between massage appointments, ask your therapist for tips on self-massage to help reduce the pain.
With regular massage appointments, rheumatoid arthritis sufferers will have a better chance of seeing reduced pain levels, increased activity levels, and many more positive side effects! If you or someone you know is interested in finding relief from arthritis pain through massage therapy, it would be our pleasure to help here at the Bird Rock Massage Studio! Call us at (858) 551-0425 to schedule an appointment.
