More and more people are turning to massage treatment because of its positive effects on their physical and emotional well-being. These advantages include alleviating stress, anxiety, and depression; improved circulation; relaxation; a more restful night's sleep; using massage to reduce inflammation in joints and easier maintenance of a healthy weight.
A skilled massage therapy for arthritis pain may alleviate pain and stiffness in achy or inflamed joints. In addition to these benefits, regular exercise prevents cartilage from deteriorating, makes you feel better by alleviating muscular tension, and encourages you to lead a healthier, more physically active life.
Various Approaches to Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis with Massage Therapy
You may find relief from your RA symptoms by including massage therapy for arthritis pain in your treatment routine once a week or more often. You may choose from four different types of massages:
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Therapeutic Swedish Massage
Swedish massage, the most well-known kind of massage, involves using long, fluid strokes of a variable pressure to relax and untangle muscles. If you want the same effects as the studies, consider requesting a less intense form of this technique. During a Swedish massage, the therapist may use lotions or oils.
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Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage alleviates muscle stiffness and pain; deep-tissue massage utilizes sustained, firm pressure and specific, manual manipulation of deep tissue structures. If the massage feels too intense, though, you should stop.
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Warm Stone Therapy
Hot stones are used with hands-on treatment to relieve sore, tense muscles and accompanying discomfort. But since the heat might irritate already swollen joints, hot stone massage cautioned against using it too liberally.
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How can massage ease joint pain? While Receiving a Massage, what to expect?
How massage can ease joint pain or while receiving a massage, you should take care of the following things:
Do not be scared to delve deeply
Clients and therapists alike may be wary of using too much pressure during massage for fear of aggravating existing discomfort. However, using more force might help alleviate your symptoms even more quickly. Those with more vigorous massages reported less discomfort and greater strength eight weeks later. You shouldn't feel any severe pain, but feel free to ask for a bit more pressure if you do.
Raise your voice if you're in pain
Your therapist should know if you're in any discomfort, as your well-being and safety are their top priorities. The difficulty is that your therapist won't know if something isn't working for you until you tell them; everyone has a different threshold for pain, and this is especially true for those with conditions like arthritis. Mild discomfort is normal, but constant agony is never a good indication.
Different types of bodies
Those living with arthritis may experience social stigma because of the outward manifestations of their disease, such as psoriatic arthritis rash or hand abnormalities. To ensure that no sensitive areas of your body are exposed during your massage, it is highly recommended to inform your therapist beforehand.
Experiment with various massage implements
The advantages of massage for joint pain relief and heat treatment for arthritic joints may be amplified by combining the two. To do this, the therapist would often heat smooth stones to between 110 and 130 degrees Fahrenheit and place them on your back in strategic spots where you tend to retain stress. You won't be burned, and the targeted heat will assist your massage therapist work those muscles more effectively without creating discomfort since the stones aren't heated to a high enough temperature.
Tips for getting the most out of your massages
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A person's pain tolerance and the sort of massage they get both have a role in the sensations they might anticipate during and after the session. According to research, massage with a moderate amount of pressure may give the most symptom alleviation. Still, massage with a hard amount of pressure may increase muscular strength and range of motion. A person might maximize the benefits of their massage for joint pain relief by doing any of the following:
- Taking a hot bath with bath salts is a great way to get the most out of your massage by helping to relax your muscles beforehand.
- Letting the therapist know about any damaged joints, present injuries, rashes, wounds, or bruises so that they may take extra precautions when massaging the region in question.
- After a massage, it is important to drink enough water to decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.
- Informing the masseuse if the massage is too painful; a little pain is expected while the masseuse concentrates on sensitive spots.
- After a massage, the recipient could have temporary aches and pains. There may be some irritation for a short period, which is typical.
What to Think About Before Getting a Massage
It is recommended that you check with your rheumatologist or primary care physician to ensure the benefits of massage for joint stiffness are safe for you before attempting it to relieve arthritic symptoms. A person with joint damage from a condition like rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis may find it challenging to participate in certain methods because they may require applying significant pressure to sensitive tissues and joints or shifting limbs into different postures. If you have, consider massage with care.
- Erosion or damage to joints as a result of arthritis
- Very poor bone density (severe osteoporosis)
- Symptoms such as inflammation, fever, or a skin rash flaring up
- Inflammation of the veins, often known as varicose veins
- A dangerously elevated blood pressure
Notifying your therapist of any pain or discomfort is crucial. A competent therapist will ask for your thoughts and feelings about the session as it progresses to improve the benefits of massage for joint stiffness.
Conclusion
While the methods mentioned above may assist in alleviating your knee discomfort or using massage to reduce inflammation in joints, they are not designed to take the place of a professional medical assessment. Make sure that you and your practitioner have an open line of communication regarding your symptoms. If you don't, you could be putting off getting back to your routine and dealing with more pain.
