Massage and Arthritis

I was asked this week if Massage Therapy can help arthritis.  The answer is yes.
Massage therapy cannot cure or stop the progression of any of these arthritic conditions, but massage can most assuredly ease the symptoms associated with inflammation, and help improve the quality of life of someone affected by arthritis.

What is Arthritis?

 There are over 100 different types of arthritis.  We  will look at the most common 2, Osteoarthritis, and Rheumatoid Arthritis.

1. Osteoarthritis - is inflammation of joints brought on by general wear and tear causing damage to the cartilage.  It presents as stiff, painful and occasionally visible swelling of the affected joints.  Most common in  the knees, hips and fingers.

2. Rheumatoid Arthritis - is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the synovial membranes of the joints.  It usually affects the body symmetrically.  It presents as red,swollen, painful and hot joints.  The affected joints often become gnarled and distorted.

The benefits of massage include:

• increase in circulation and reduce swelling
• increase in flexibility and mobility
• decrease in pain 
• relief of muscle aches and stiffness
• a sense of overall relaxation and wellness 
• improve sleep and immune function
• increases the body's production of natural pain-killing endorphins

MASSAGE IS CONTRAINDICATED WHEN SYMPTOMS ARE ACUTE!!!

Massage will not reduce inflammation or damage to the joint.  
There are always risks involved when starting new treatments, always check with you rheumatologist or doctor.

MASSAGE WILL NOT CURE YOUR ARTHRITIS BUT MAY HELP PROVIDE PAIN RELIEF, IMPROVE FLEXIBILITY AND REDUCE MUSCLE TENSION.

General treatment for arthritis starts with rhythmic techniques and Swedish techniques are used to reduce hypertonicity in the affected muscles.  Fascial techniques are use to reduce tissue contratures if present.  Heat may be used with chronic conditions to control pain and spasms.  Cold applications (cold compresses, ice, biofreeze, etc.) may be used to affected joints during flare ups. 

So if you suffer from Arthritis why not try massage?  Be sure to select and Registered Massage Therapist and discuss your conditions and concerns with them. 

A Good Night's Sleep

Wish you could sleep like a baby?

Massage and Sleep

What are sleep Disorders?

Sleep disorders are a collection of problems including insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disruption that make it difficult to get enough sleep, or to wake up feeling rested and refreshed.

How to recognize a sleep disorder?

The primary symptom of sleep disorders is excessive daytime sleepiness.  If this continues for a prolonged period, a weakened immune system, memory and concentration loss, and an increased risk of automotive or on-the-job accidents may occur.

How massage helps

Sleep disorders indicate massage.  Bodywork may not correct a mechanical or psychological dysfunction that leads to sleep deprivation, but it can improve the quality of sleep and can reduce the mental and physical stresses that may interfere with sleep.
Anyone who experiences restless nights and persistent daytime sleepiness appreciates the opportunity to "tune out" while they receive bodywork.  Some studies indicate that massage increases the time spent in Stage 3 or 4 restorative sleep, which decreases pain sensations and speeds healing.  Massage can improve the quality of sleep for insomniac clients, and although it does not reverse sleep apnea, a massage therapist may be the first person to bring the habit of not breathing and then gasping to a client's attention.

Taken from: Werner, Ruth, A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology.  Baltimore, MD. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005

Visit our website www.gbmt.ca

The following article was posted in Massage Magazine. 

Research Shows How Massage Reduces Inflammation and Promotes Growth of Mitochondria in Skeletal Muscle

posted:2/7/2012

New research indicates something athletes and sports massage therapists know well: Massage therapy reduces inflammation following strenuous exercise.
On the cellular level massage reduces inflammation and promotes the growth of new mitochondria in skeletal muscle, according to the research conducted by scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario.
The study involved the genetic analysis of muscle biopsies taken from the quadriceps of eleven young males after they had exercised to exhaustion on a stationary bicycle, according to a university press release. One of their legs was randomly chosen to be massaged. Biopsies were taken from both legs prior to the exercise, immediately after 10 minutes of massage treatment and after a two-and-half-hour period of

recovery.
"Our research showed that massage dampened the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the muscle cells and promoted biogenesis of mitochondria, which are the energy-producing units in the cells," said Buck Institute faculty Simon Melov, PhD, who was responsible for the genetic analysis of the tissue samples.
He added that the pain reduction associated with massage may involve the same mechanism as those targeted by conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.
"There's general agreement that massage feels good, now we have a scientific basis for the experience," said Melov.
The research appeared in the Feb. 1 online edition of Science Translational Medicine.