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Toning Down Pain with Massage Therapies for Arthritis

More and more people are turning to alternative medicine to complement their conventional arthritis treatment regimens and to explore more natural ways to relieve pain. Massage therapies for arthritis are good examples of how alternative medicine can benefit those who are suffering from the disease, and an illustration of how touch can be used for healing purposes.

Massage has been used to promote well-being and to relieve discomfort throughout the centuries, especially in China. Today, there are many massage therapists all over the world, who use a variety of techniques and materials to ease pain and soreness. Not only that, but they can also help bring about a mood and mental state that is conducive to healing and general wellness.

There are several kinds of massage therapies for arthritis, all of which can have immensely therapeutic effects if performed properly. This is most probably one of the reasons why many medical practitioners have no qualms about recommending massage therapy to their arthritis patients, who for the most part count pain as part of their daily lives. Studies have shown that massage is effective in relieving not only muscle pain, but that it promotes the production of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers and reduces the production of hormones that contribute to stress. Also, Dr. Ifeoma Okoronkow of New York University's School of Medicine says that massage improves blood flow and facilitates lymph system functions.

There are various types of massages suitable for various types of arthritis. A person who has osteoarthritis can perform a massage on himself or herself; but care needs to be taken that the affected joints and their surrounding areas are not put under too much pressure. Gentle strokes within the area for several minutes a day would help provide relief from pain. Rheumatoid arthritis patients can benefit from Swedish massage, deep-tissue massage, myotherapy, and myofascial release. Even young people with arthritis can benefit from massage; studies show that juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients experience pain relief when they undergo massage therapy.

It's widely known that the sense of touch somehow sets off a chain reaction in the body that promotes healing; this is why mothers of premature babies are encouraged to touch and give massages to their infants and doctors are encouraged to touch their patients -- even a simple touch to the hand or the stroking of hair away from the face has positive effects on the sick. In much the same way, people with arthritis benefit from this sense of touch.

Massage therapies for arthritis should be performed by qualified or licensed massage practitioners. These people have the training and experience needed to follow the basic medical philosophy of "First, do no harm." They also know whether a person should be given massage therapy in the first place.