| There are alternative therapies for arthritis that are | | | | Be sure that your massage therapist is trained |
| becoming more popular, and if you have arthritis you | | | | properly and is certified. The golden standard for |
| might want to turn to massage to address both your | | | | certification is the National Certification Board for |
| pain and the stiffness of your condition and your | | | | Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). In |
| general well-being. Maybe you haven't tried massage | | | | order to be certified by the NCBTMB, a massage |
| yet because you don't know what to expect, your not | | | | therapist has to have had at least 500 hours of |
| sure that massage is a good idea for your joint pain | | | | instruction and have passed a national exam. The |
| and inflammation, or maybe you don't know where to | | | | majority of states require that massage therapists be |
| find a good massage therapist. This article will address | | | | licensed in the state before they practice and state |
| these valid concerns and show you how massage | | | | licenses may be even more difficult to get than the |
| can be an important part of your effective arthritis | | | | NCBTMB licenses and usually have to be renewed |
| management. | | | | every couple of years. You may want to also |
| So What is a massage? You will have a trained | | | | investigate whether the training program your |
| professional known as a massage therapist, who | | | | massage therapist attended is accredited by the |
| presses, rubs, strokes, kneads, and otherwise | | | | Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation |
| manipulates the muscles and soft tissues of your body. | | | | (COMTA). |
| Massage is one of the oldest healing arts. The ancient | | | | Here is a list of sources that can help you find a |
| Chinese, Egyptians, and Greeks are all known to have | | | | massage therapist: |
| practiced it. Massage became accepted in the United | | | | Integrative medicine centers, especially those affiliated |
| States in the mid 1800's only to disappear in the | | | | with academic centers or hospitals; |
| following century and not revive until the 1960's and | | | | Referrals from friends, particularly any whose condition |
| 1970's. | | | | is similar to yours; |
| Today, there are well over 100,000 massage | | | | Senior centers, which usually have a network of |
| therapists at work in the United States. They practice | | | | practitioners, including massage therapists, who can |
| massage in many settings, from hospitals to health | | | | make house calls. |
| clubs to private studios. People go to them for many | | | | It doesn't matter who you massage therapist is or |
| different reasons: to ease pain, to rehabilitate from | | | | what type of massage you are getting, the massage |
| injury, to reduce stress, to ease anxiety and | | | | shouldn't hurt. Those of you who have arthritis are |
| depression, and to improve general well-being. | | | | already in pain and you don't need more. So, before |
| While there are more than 250 varieties of massage | | | | you have a massage it's important to think about |
| techniques, most practitioners use one or more of a | | | | whether any of the following suggestions apply to you. |
| few basic methods. Many use a form of Swedish | | | | Your therapist should avoid places that are very |
| massage, which employs long, flowing strokes meant | | | | painful or that have limited function, that means you will |
| to be calming and relaxing. As your body becomes | | | | have to let your massage therapist know what your |
| relaxed, the massage therapist can also apply focused | | | | present condition is before the massage and |
| pressure to relieve areas of muscular tension. Other | | | | continually let him know how you're feeling during the |
| popular forms of massage include deep tissue | | | | massage. Your therapist should also avoid any |
| massage, which features strong pressure on deeper | | | | techniques such as deep tissue work that might |
| layers of tissue, and myofascial release, in which long, | | | | aggravate those painful areas. In most cases if there is |
| stretching strokes releases the tension in the fascia | | | | arthritis in a specific joint, it's best to just avoid direct, |
| (the connective tissue around the muscles). There are | | | | deep pressure. Your therapist should also use a broad, |
| also the Asian techniques of acupressure and shiatsu, | | | | full-hand contact pressure instead of the gliding and |
| which use finger pressure on specific points on the | | | | kneading strokes of the classic Swedish massage. |
| body, and the technique called reflexology, which | | | | The next thing is to avoid any uncomfortable positions. |
| upholds that rubbing certain points on the feet, hands, | | | | If you have arthritis of the neck, you will not want to be |
| or ears has a positive effect on various body parts. | | | | face down, instead you will want to lie down with your |
| What are the benefits of massage? If you have a | | | | face up or on your side with a pillow under your head. |
| chronic condition, massage can have numerous | | | | Now, if you are having trouble climbing up on the table, |
| benefits. If done correctly, massage can provide a | | | | the therapist can lower the table or provide a stool to |
| wonderful break from the stress of living with arthritis | | | | help you climb up. There are even some massage |
| or another stressful condition. It can aid in relaxation, | | | | therapists who will come to your home so that the |
| which by itself helps healing and reduces es stress. It | | | | massage can be tailored to your own special situation. |
| can also reduce pain, improve joint movement, relax | | | | Special considerations for Osteoarthritis (OA) or |
| tense muscles, and stimulate blood flow. But, massage | | | | Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). |
| for those of you who have arthritis should be handled | | | | If you have osteoarthritis (OA), make sure the |
| as a complementary therapy, that is, one that is used | | | | massage therapist avoids direct contact on the areas |
| in combination with, and not to replace, other regular | | | | of pain, the affected joints, themselves. Using gentle |
| medical treatments such as pain medicine or physical | | | | and broad pressure to muscles surrounding the joints |
| therapy. Listed below you will find five ways that | | | | can bring relief. For those with rheumatoid arthritis, they |
| massage can benefit you, even if you don't have | | | | should avoid all direct pressure on the areas of pain or |
| arthritis. | | | | inflammation. There is a technique that uses slower |
| One is relaxation. The best and probably the biggest | | | | movements that can bring relief to the areas of the |
| benefit is relaxation, that's number one. Massage | | | | tension surrounding the affected areas. |
| should bring a sense of well-being to the body. Mary | | | | Also, the simple holding of an area while letting the |
| Kathleen Rose is a certified massage therapist in | | | | warmth from the therapists hands penetrate the |
| Colorado and after 25 years of experience, and much | | | | tissues, can be very soothing and the gentle moving of |
| of that working with those with chronic conditions, she | | | | your arm can help encourage local circulation of blood |
| has developed a style of massage she calls Comfort | | | | and lymph and promote greater mobility. |
| Touch that is characterized by slow, broad, and | | | | When should you cancel your appointment with the |
| surrounding pressure. It's not known exactly why or | | | | massage therapist? If you're having a flare-up, it would |
| how massage encourages relaxation. Some speculate | | | | probably be a good idea to avoid a massage. When |
| that massage triggers the body's parasympathetic | | | | you get to know how you'll respond to touch, you'll get |
| nervous system, (which supports the body's | | | | a better idea of when it's the right or the wrong time |
| restorative processes), muscle tension is improved, the | | | | to get a message. |
| heart rate slows, and the fight-or-flight response is | | | | This is what you can expect during your visit to the |
| revered. | | | | massage therapist. You should have already |
| Your circulation changes. While the mechanism is not | | | | discussed your medical condition with your therapist |
| well understood, massage is also thought to encourage | | | | before you made your appointment, but your therapist |
| the flow of lymph in the body. (Lymph is a fluid that | | | | should still ask you about any special areas of concern |
| circulates throughout the body; the cells in lymph help | | | | just before the session. If this is your first time, let the |
| fight infection and disease.) Massage can also increase | | | | massage therapist know that you've never had a |
| the flow of blood. However, exercise actually has a | | | | massage before and that you're nervous. Talk to the |
| greater effect on increasing circulation than massage | | | | therapist and tell him exactly what you want out of the |
| does. And during a relaxing massage, local circulation | | | | session, and discuss what part of your body needs |
| may increase, but systemic circulation actually slows | | | | the most attention. A typical full body massage |
| down, as evidenced by lowered blood pressure, lower | | | | includes the back, arms, legs, feet, hands, head, neck, |
| body temperature, and slower breathing. This may | | | | and shoulders, but you can also exclude any of these, |
| explains why many people actually become cooler | | | | or maybe you want him or her to concentrate on a |
| during massage. | | | | certain area. |
| You'll get pain relief. There is some evidence that | | | | The average cost of a massage can vary widely, |
| massage can actually relieve pain. Those who are | | | | ranging from $30 to $120 and up per hour. Check with |
| getting massages certainly think it does. There was a | | | | your insurance provider to see if they pay for a |
| study done by the American Massage Therapy | | | | massage because a lot of times when it's ordered by |
| Association that showed 93% of the people who tried | | | | your doctor there is a good chance your insurance will |
| a massage, felt it was effective for their pain relief and | | | | pay for it. A full-body massage usually last for about |
| there are many theories out there for why a massage | | | | an hour or you can get a half-hour partial-body |
| relieves pain. But, there are some researchers who | | | | massage or you may want to get just a 20 or 30 |
| speculate that massage encourages the release of | | | | minute session to see how your body responds. |
| pain-relieving hormones or that massage may block | | | | Usually massages are done while you're lying down on |
| pain signals that are sent to the brain. | | | | a table but they can be customized to your own |
| You'll have improved joint movement. Through the use | | | | situation, and they are usually done with oil, but they |
| of direct pressure, massage can affect the muscles | | | | don't have to be done that way. You might have a |
| and connective tissues in the body, increasing mobility. | | | | reaction to the scented oils the therapist uses so you |
| This can help increase the range of motion in the joints | | | | may want to ask the therapist to use an unscented |
| and lesson stiffness in the muscles, tendons and | | | | lotion instead of the oil, especially for the areas that |
| ligaments for those who have arthritis. | | | | have inflammation. Another thing, most massages are |
| There are also psychological benefits. The | | | | done without clothes, but if you're not comfortable |
| psychological benefits from massages are well | | | | taking your clothes off the practitioner will leave the |
| documented. Massage can change your mood, | | | | room while you undress and get yourself on the table, |
| alleviate any anxiety and depression you may have, | | | | that will be covered with a clean sheet. You should be |
| and improve your feelings of well-being and safety | | | | covered up at all times to keep yourself warm and |
| and this is why so many people will turn to massage. | | | | comfortable with the area being worked on the only |
| How do you choose the right massage therapist? | | | | thing that is uncovered. |
| Before you go looking for a massage therapist, you | | | | You can give yourself a massage, but it isn't as |
| should talk to your doctor about whether or not it's a | | | | relaxing. There are self-massaging techniques that can |
| good idea for you. If you have certain conditions, such | | | | help ease your pain and tension but it isn't nearly as |
| as dermatomyositis or severe osteoporosis (the | | | | relaxing as the traditional massage. Your hands, arms, |
| thinning of your bones), your doctor may advise you | | | | legs and feet are good, easy-to-reach areas that can |
| not to try massages. Once you have the go ahead | | | | benefit from self-massage. But, remember to avoid |
| from your doctor, you can start looking for a massage | | | | those inflamed joints, your therapist can show you |
| therapist, but you will want to make sure that they | | | | some techniques that are unique to your situation. Here |
| have the necessary education and licensing. It might be | | | | is a list of just a few more general suggestions for |
| a good idea to find one who has worked with people | | | | self-massage: |
| with arthritis and who you're comfortable with. The | | | | Place one hand on a joint in your leg, and use your |
| person you choose should be someone you feel safe | | | | other hand to press down on the hand that is on your |
| with, safe enough to tell them your needs and what | | | | leg. This strategy uses the hand's warmth to penetrate |
| you prefer. Please, don't be afraid to give feedback if | | | | the joint. |
| something doesn't feel right or is uncomfortable or | | | | Knead a spot for a short time, 15 to 20 seconds is |
| causes pain. A good massage therapist will ask you | | | | often sufficient. Grasp the muscle area between your |
| questions about your current medical conditions, if | | | | palm or thumb and your fingers. Lift it slightly and |
| you're experiencing a flare-up, or about the severity | | | | squeeze as if you were kneading dough. Work into |
| and frequency of your symptoms, such as your pain | | | | the muscle with slow, regular squeeze-and-release |
| or your level of functionality. | | | | motions. |
| You will want to avoid the therapist who makes claims | | | | Cup your hand over a tense muscle. Glide your hand |
| suggesting that massage will fix or cure your arthritis, | | | | firmly over the length of the muscle in slow repeated |
| and you can seek either a male or female massage | | | | movements. Apply various amounts of pressure to |
| therapist. For some, it makes no difference whether | | | | find what feels best. |
| the therapist is male or female. | | | | |