Massage therapy offers powerful relief for the millions of Americans who suffer from arthritis, especially during the cold winter months when joint pain and stiffness tend to worsen. If you are looking for a natural way to manage your symptoms, professional bodywork sessions can make a real difference in your comfort and mobility.
In This Article
Understanding Arthritis and How Massage Helps
Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints in the body; it can cause large or small amounts of pain where two bones meet. While most commonly seen in older adults it can affect all age ranges including children. It’s estimated by the Center for Disease Control that almost 50 million Americans have been diagnosed by a doctor with this condition. While there is no real cure for Arthritis, there are a few things that people can do to help slow the progression of it as well as lessen some of their daily pain. Doctors can offer medicine, surgery, and physical therapy but even that does not help all the pain.
Why Massage Is a Popular Arthritis Treatment
One of the most popular and enjoyable ways to help is through therapeutic bodywork, almost nine percent of Americans use it as a therapy for their Arthritis says The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
Massage offers a few benefits for people that suffer from Arthritis, one of the most favorable being that it helps to greatly relieve pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles. When massage is done regularly it can help improve mobility/range of motion, grip strength, and overall function of the joints.
What New Research Shows About Massage and Arthritis
Until recently studies on bodywork were mostly done on the general public but more recently studies are being directed towards people specifically with Arthritis. In these studies they are beginning to see that therapy can help to release certain hormones that are directly affect blood pressure, heart rate, and anxiety. These factors can benefit everyone but especially people that suffer from Arthritis and are dealing with lots of pain, lack of sleep, stiffness, and anxiety due to the disease.
Arthritis is something that can cause daily pain and suffering and can affect anyone.
Managing Arthritis Pain in Winter
Especially now that it is getting colder many Americans are really beginning to feel the symptoms. Not only does the wetter and cooler weather causes more pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles but many people find it hard to keep active during the winter months, which is very important for Arthritis patients. A way that people can keep moving and active through the winter is a professional treatment. It is beneficial not only because it keeps the joints and muscles moving in the winter but the muscles and joint are able to stay warm causing less soreness. Although there is no way to stop the progression of Arthritis, regular massage can to help slow and ease the pain of it, even in the cold!
Expert Guidance on Massage for Joint Pain
The American Massage Therapy Association reports that regular massage therapy sessions can significantly reduce pain and improve quality of life for arthritis sufferers. Their research highlights how targeted techniques help increase blood flow to affected joints, reduce inflammation, and promote the release of natural pain-relieving endorphins throughout the body.
Book a Massage at Happy Head This Winter
At Happy Head Massage in San Diego, our experienced therapists understand how to work with clients who have arthritis and other chronic pain conditions. We use gentle yet effective techniques that target problem areas without causing additional discomfort. Discover all the benefits of massage therapy and take control of your winter pain. Schedule your appointment today and feel the difference that professional therapeutic care can make for your joints, your mobility, and your overall well-being during the colder months.
