We’ve all seen the effects of arthritis. An elderly man with his hands clutched around his cane, barely able to walk due to arthritis in his hips. A former athlete, the start of his high school basketball team, now limps due to arthritis in the knees. Your best friend was in a car accident 20 years ago. He never got treated for his whiplash, now has arthritis in his back and wakes up stiff and achy every day. Each of these forms of arthritis vary from causing mild stiffness in joints and occasional aches, to being very painful, causing constant pain and immobility in joints.
The connection between arthritis and massage therapy may not seem apparent at first. But studies show that massage therapy can play a big role in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis including the stress that often accompanies arthritis. As arthritis progresses, muscles tighten to compensate for the joint damage and to protect the bones. One problem leads to another and that's where arthritis and massage become partners.
According to the Arthritis Foundation, massage can help with arthritis in two ways. First, massage stretches the muscles surrounding the joints. This restores flexibility, which allows the muscles to stop pulling painfully on the joint. The stretching also stimulates production of synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion for the joint, and allows for more complete mobility. Second, massage encourages the body to release endorphins which are natural mood enhancers and pain killers. Massage to the muscles, ligaments and tendons creates relaxation that restores balance to the tissues. Both of these actions reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation, which are the primary characteristics of arthritis.
Furthermore, research has shown that massage can lower the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol, and boost production of serotonin, which, in turn, can improve mood. Additionally, massage can lower production of the neurotransmitter substance P, often linked to pain, and improve sleep as a result. Anyone suffering from a painful condition can greatly benefit from having their stress and pain reduced, and the quality of their sleep improved!
Massage therapy breaks the cycle of pain that goes along with arthritis. It has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis. Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, but it has proven to be effective.
