Arthritis and Massage
I have wondered about whether massage would be helpful with Rheumatoid Arthritis and other arthritis conditions, or not and I just got an answer to that question.
It seems that massage can be very helpful reducing the pain caused by arthritis. Due to joint pain, the muscles are often taxed to the max and will definitely benefit by a good massage, but it also improves stiffness, range of motion, strength, and the overall joint function.
You can go to a licensed therapist or try self-massage, but you have to be diligent about it and do it on a daily basis for at least 15 minutes and apply light to moderate pressure. This will already be enough to yield a positive effect.
The reason why it works is because it lowers the production of the stress hormone cortisol and the neurotransmitter substance P. Massage boosts production of serotonin, or in other words; it lowers pain and improves both mood and sleep and the latter is very welcome when suffering from arthritis.
You have to be careful though and confer with your doctor if you could benefit from massage. It may not be helpful when your joints are already damaged and/or eroded, during a flare-up, when you have severe osteoporosis, high blood pressure or varicose veins.
Upon deciding to try massage therapy, your doctor can refer you to a qualified therapist, but it is up to you to tell the therapist what ails you and where and if the massage is hurting you. It shouldn't; it is to make you feel better, not worse.
Not everything that hurts is bad; sometimes it is needed to become a better person. We have to go through the hurt to get to the healing, but we are not left on our own; God is with us every step of the way!
Proverbs 20:30
Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
It seems that massage can be very helpful reducing the pain caused by arthritis. Due to joint pain, the muscles are often taxed to the max and will definitely benefit by a good massage, but it also improves stiffness, range of motion, strength, and the overall joint function.
You can go to a licensed therapist or try self-massage, but you have to be diligent about it and do it on a daily basis for at least 15 minutes and apply light to moderate pressure. This will already be enough to yield a positive effect.
The reason why it works is because it lowers the production of the stress hormone cortisol and the neurotransmitter substance P. Massage boosts production of serotonin, or in other words; it lowers pain and improves both mood and sleep and the latter is very welcome when suffering from arthritis.
You have to be careful though and confer with your doctor if you could benefit from massage. It may not be helpful when your joints are already damaged and/or eroded, during a flare-up, when you have severe osteoporosis, high blood pressure or varicose veins.
Upon deciding to try massage therapy, your doctor can refer you to a qualified therapist, but it is up to you to tell the therapist what ails you and where and if the massage is hurting you. It shouldn't; it is to make you feel better, not worse.
Not everything that hurts is bad; sometimes it is needed to become a better person. We have to go through the hurt to get to the healing, but we are not left on our own; God is with us every step of the way!
Proverbs 20:30
Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, As do stripes the inner depths of the heart.
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