Poughkeepsie Massage Therapy for ArthritisEasing the challenges and discomforts as part of your complete arthritis programGeneral Arthritis Facts:*Arthritis literally means “joint inflammation” and is a general term for 100+ conditions *It can strike at any age *Affects more women than men *Millions suffer from this disease *Majority of cases take 1 of 2 forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis is degeneration of the cartilage that cushions and forms a slick surface for movement on affected joints. It is often the results of years of normal wear. In its advanced stages it can leave bone grinding against bone. The major symptoms are pain, stiffness in the joints, and inflammation and swelling following overuse.Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder which causes inflammation in the joint’s lining. Over time, it can damage cartilage, bone and other structures around the joints, and may even cause deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body (i.e. both knees). In worst cases, inflammation can spread to membranes around internal organs. Symptoms include pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints.During flare-ups, flu-like symptoms may be experienced – fever, sweats, and fatigue. Symptoms can vary from day to day, with periods of intense flare-ups alternating with days of minimal discomfort Why Therapeutic Massage?Therapeutic massage at Hands On Massage & Wellness in Poughkeepsie, NY can be a powerful ally in any program for managing your arthritis and maintaining as normal a life as possible. Massage is especially effective in addressing the most common side effects caused by painful and stiff joints: muscle tension and pain, poor circulation, and limitations on normal movement and exercise.
Massage helps you to refocus your attention on the pleasant sensation of touch instead of on arthritic pain. This is because massage stimulates the release o endorphins, your body’s natural pain killers, which can provide you with a welcome “pain break.” Reduced Muscle Tension Muscles automatically tighten protectively around any painful area such as an arthritic joint.Muscle tension limits your range of motion and can be a source of pain itself.Therapeutic massage works directly with the muscles to release tension and serves to calm the nervous system, allowing your muscles to relax further.As a result, your may experience less pain and better joint mobility. Increased Circulation Massage has been shown to increase circulation, cleansing tissues of irritating and painful by-products of arthritic inflammation and improving nutrition to both muscles & joints.Swelling often lessens with massage as excess fluid is pushed into the circulatory system, where it can be eliminated.You can enjoy increased joint mobility, reduced pain in the affected muscles and joints and, with regular massage, an improvement in your body’s natural joint lubrication. Support for Exercise Research indicates that maintaining mobility and exercising appropriately can slow the degenerative process of arthritis, both in the joints themselves and in muscles which can atrophy with disuse. Because massage can reduce discomfort in muscles around your joints and improve mobility, you may find it easier and less painful to stretch and exercise appropriately. Stress Relief and Massage Pain & physical limitations can add greatly to the stress level of anyone suffering from arthritis. Emotional stress can, in turn, increase your sensitivity to pain and drain your energy for dealing with your disease and the demands of a normal life. Therapeutic massage elicits the body’s “relaxation response” resulting in a deep sense of calm. This can leave you feeling rested and optimistic, with more energy to face your daily life. The quality of restful sleep usually improves in the days following a massage, giving your body a chance to further repair and restore your energy levels. Massage for simple stress relief can play an especially positive role in managing rheumatoid arthritis. Research shows both emotional stress can impair the body’s immune response and that regular massage therapy can improve immune system function. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an immune disorder, regular massage therapy between flare-ups can make one less susceptible to acute episodes.
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