| Massage therapy, even though regarded by some as | | | | massage, is a finger pressure massage technique |
| controversial, is an effective way to manage arthritis | | | | derived from ancient Asia. It involves the use of |
| pain. Yet those who believe in this alternative therapy | | | | pressure points on specific parts of the body. |
| have experienced success in form of pain relief. | | | | Acupressure shares its similarities with acupuncture in |
| Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable but | | | | that acupressure uses the same points that are |
| it has also proven to be therapeutic. | | | | stimulated in acupuncture. |
| Benefits of Alternative Massage Therapy for Arthritis | | | | Reflexology Massage Therapy - A Different |
| Patients | | | | Approach |
| Patients suffering from Arthritis get the following | | | | Most massages techniques focus more on the neck, |
| benefits out of alternative message therapy:o Deep | | | | back and shoulders than the rest of the body. |
| muscle and tissue relaxationo Stress reductiono | | | | Reflexology Massage Therapy involves applying |
| Release of toxins from the bodyo Increase in muscle | | | | pressure to specific points on the hands, ears and feet |
| flexibilityo Improved blood circulationso Reduction in | | | | in order to release tension. Since these organs are |
| blood pressureo Reduction in nervousnesso Tension | | | | also connected to other parts of the body, the relaxing |
| and pain reliefo Heightened mental and spiritual | | | | effect spreads throughout the body. |
| awareness | | | | Myofascial Massage - Ignore the Muscle |
| While the benefits of alternative message therapy are | | | | Aside from Arthritic patients, this alternative therapy is |
| numerous, it should also be noted that there are | | | | very popular among sports athletes. It differs from all |
| different types of physical massage therapies that | | | | the other massage therapy techniques because it |
| tackle arthritis in their own way. | | | | does not target the muscles itself. Rather, it targets the |
| Deep Tissue Massage - Therapeutic Alternative | | | | Fascia which is a membrane surrounding the muscles |
| Therapy | | | | responsible for body structure and protecting internal |
| Deep Tissue massage includes aligning the deep | | | | organs. |
| layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is extremely | | | | Alternative Therapy and Arthritis Today |
| helpful for tense and contracted areas such as sore | | | | Today, the use of massage as an effective |
| shoulders, stiff necks and backs. It is also associated | | | | alternative therapy treatment for Arthritis continues to |
| with acupressure which has therapeutic benefits to the | | | | grow as more and more people learn about its |
| body and eases arthritis pain and discomfort. | | | | benefits. Alternative therapy has been acknowledged |
| Swedish Massage - A Popular Choice | | | | by the medical establishment as a less invasive |
| This massage technique is very popular. Physical | | | | method of therapy for chronic conditions and is |
| therapists use massage oils and a techniques such as | | | | successfully being used as healing therapy at many |
| kneading, tapping and stretching in order to reduce | | | | medical facilities across the country. Furthermore, it |
| muscle tension in arthritic patients. Swedish massage | | | | breaks the cycle of pain that often goes along with |
| uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation | | | | arthritis. More and more people suffering from Arthritis |
| and is widely regarded as the most enjoyable type of | | | | are learning to experience pain relief as they are |
| massage without any side effects such as soreness. | | | | treated to the miraculous healing power of alternative |
| Shiatsu Massage - Alternative Therapy from Asia | | | | massage therapy. |
| Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure | | | | |