Can Massage Help with Arthritis? Discover the Healing Benefits
Learn how massage therapy can help manage your arthritis.
Can massage help with arthritis? In more ways than one.
In fact, today, we’ll explore 4 specific ways that massage can bring you from feeling sore, stiff, and lethargic…to pain-free, active, and enjoying life again.
If you've ever had arthritis, you know how frustrating and painful it can be. Your joints and body ache, and you can't seem to escape the inflammation and discomfort.
You may not be able to enjoy activities like walking your dog on a summer evening or your morning workout at the gym. Even opening a bottle of water may be a challenge.
Let’s be honest. If you have arthritis — life can get pretty miserable. But there is hope.
Your doctor may have already recommended medication and lifestyle changes, but studies show that massage therapy can significantly relieve arthritis [1].
At Anchorage Massage Therapies, we know how challenging managing arthritis can be. That’s why we put together this article to answer the question: “Can massage help with arthritis?” and help you feel like yourself again.
We’ll even add the best insights on which type of massage we recommend for arthritis.
We’ll cover:
4 Ways Massage Can Help With Arthritis
4 Best Types of Massage Therapy for Arthritis
What is Arthritis?
What To Expect During a Massage for Arthritis?
Let’s get started.
4 Ways Massage Therapy Can Help With Arthritis
A 2022 study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis who got regular massages for 8 weeks had less pain. They also took fewer painkillers. [2]
There are many reasons massage can help with arthritis. Here are 4 ways massage works to ease your symptoms:
1. Massage Helps With Arthritis By Promoting Sleep and Rest
Many people who have rheumatoid arthritis say fatigue is the most challenging part of dealing with their condition. Not great because healing your body and regulating your mood is so dependent on catching enough ZZZs.
Living with chronic pain is tiring. However, regular massage therapy helps promote sleep by fostering relaxation in both your mind and body. Here's how:
Massage lowers cortisol, your body's stress hormone, bringing about feelings of peacefulness.
Massage activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Activating this branch of your nervous system brings about a sense of calm in your body, allowing you to relax.
Getting enough sleep is critical to any kind of healing, which is why massage can help with arthritis and its exhausting symptoms.
Our therapists at Anchorage Massage Therapies are familiar with treating arthritis symptoms and are especially careful to be mindful of areas of your body that are delicate to touch.
2. Massage Helps With Arthritis By Reducing Pain and Discomfort
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you know how debilitating joint pain can be — but massage can help with arthritis because of the instant pain relief it brings.
A study in Arizona found that the pain of hospitalized patients went down after 30 minutes of massage therapy. [2]
The study also concluded patients had big improvements in:
Sleep
Emotions
Relaxation
Massage therapy releases endorphins into the brain. Endorphins are the body's natural painkillers and can bring instant relief.
Additionally, massage therapy helps block the transfer of pain across pathways in the brain. [3] Basically, massage stimulates competing nerve fibers and blocks impending pain messages. Harvard Medical School refers to this phenomenon as “closing the pain gate.”
The bottom line is that massage can help with arthritis by decreasing pain both during and after your treatments.
3. Massage Helps With Arthritis By Increasing Range of Motion and Decreasing Stiffness
If you're struggling with arthritis, you likely feel stiff and sore and may be missing out on activities you used to love because they’re too painful and frustrating.
But massage therapy helps to break the cycle of stiffness and inactivity by improving your circulation.
Better circulation brings nutrients and oxygen to your tissues and helps reduce inflammation. This fosters better blood flow to arthritic joints, improved movement, and reduced pain.
Massage can help with arthritis because it improves the flexibility of your muscles, joints, and tendons and provides them with lubrication. This can prevent joint dryness and stiffness.
Reducing stiffness can renew the desire to be more active and return to activities you love, like playing with your grandchildren and going to yoga.
At Anchorage Massage Therapies, we make sure to cover the areas of your body that will be the most beneficial to your circulation while keeping you comfortable on the table.
4. Massage Helps With Arthritis By Improving Mental Health
If you have rheumatoid arthritis, you may have come to feel that your body is your enemy. And that’s understandable. Autoimmune diseases can be very difficult to understand on an emotional level.
Massage can help with arthritis by relieving pain from the parts of your body that are hurting. This relief can give you hope.
Additionally, massage therapy helps to release oxytocin in the brain. Oxytocin is known as the love hormone.
Having a massage therapist care for you can boost your mental health by increasing oxytocin. This happens because a good massage will make you feel cared for, safe, and calm.
All of this can lead to better mental wellness, which can get you feeling better… from head to toe. It’s our privilege to bring this feeling to all of our clients at Anchorage Massage Therapies.
4 Best Types of Massage Therapy for Arthritis
Now you know the answer to our big question: “Can massage help with arthritis?” But before you book an appointment for treatment, let’s talk about which kinds of massage therapy modalities are best.
Deep tissue massage and anything with too much pressure may add to inflammation and discomfort. So, it's best to start with a light touch. Also, be sure to monitor your body's response before, during, and after your massage.
Here are 4 different massage therapy techniques and how they can benefit your arthritis symptoms:
1. Swedish Massage
Imagine a massage so gentle, your mind can drift off and go to your happiest place. That’s Swedish massage. It’s one of the most gentle forms of massage therapy and is highly recommended for arthritis patients.
Your massage therapist uses light to medium pressure to promote blood flow, foster relaxation, and reduce muscle tension and pain.
A Swedish massage is kind of considered the opposite of a deep tissue massage, which isn’t recommended for patients struggling with arthritis.
2. Myofascial Release
Myofascial release is another gentle massage technique where the therapist manipulates the connective tissue surrounding the muscles — the layer of tissue just under your skin.
Your massage therapist may use their palms to softly move your fascia – the name for the layer of connective tissue. This movement helps to release muscle tightness and reduce painful pressure on your joints.
If you have muscle spasms or chronic tightness, myofascial release could be a top pick for you!
If you’re interested in trying myofascial release at Anchorage Massage Therapies, call our office to see which therapist may be the best fit for you.
3. Lymphatic Drainage Massage
Lymphatic drainage massage is a type of massage that increases the flow of lymph in your body.
Lymph is the fluid that cleans our bodies by removing toxins and waste products.
A lymphatic drainage massage can help with arthritis because draining lymphatic fluid can decrease inflammation and swelling and promote an improved range of motion in affected joints.
Learn more about the benefits of lymphatic drainage massage in the article below:
“Easing Cold & Flu Symptoms: The Surprising Role of Lymphatic Drainage Massage”
4. Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy is a technique that focuses on identifying and addressing trigger points, or tight bands of fiber in your muscle tissue, causing pain in other parts of your body, also known as deferred pain.
The careful application of trigger point therapy can help reduce localized pain and bring about renewed relief.
It's essential to ensure your therapist is a professional who is knowledgeable about techniques for rheumatoid arthritis and can accommodate the sensitivities associated with your condition.
What is Arthritis?
If you’re here but not totally sure what arthritis is, we’ve got you covered.
Arthritis is the umbrella term for more than 100 different conditions that affect the joints.
The most common symptoms of arthritis are pain, inflammation, and stiffness. The two most common types of arthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory and autoimmune disease. It attacks your body's healthy cells, causing pain and inflammation in the affected areas and leaving you stiff, tired, and weak.
As you can see in the image above, inflammation from RA causes swelling, bone erosion, and the wearing away of cartilage.
The causes of RA are unknown, but it’s 2-3 times more likely to affect women than men and is most likely to show up among adults between 30-50 years old.
The disease commonly affects your body's joints, including:
Knees
Ankles
Feet
Shoulders
Wrists
Fingers
When the lining of the joint affected by RA becomes inflamed, it can potentially damage the joint tissue and cause chronic pain, which can affect your mental health. That’s why it’s important to take good care of yourself when you’re struggling with RA.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the ends of bones wear down, causing pain, inflammation, and reduced mobility in the affected joints.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint but often impacts the hands, knees, hips, and spine.
And while symptoms of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis may make you feel like you don't want to be touched — massage therapy may actually be the touch you need.
Anchorage Massage Therapies specializes in treating clients with complex medical issues, and arthritis is no exception.
What to Expect During a Massage for Arthritis
When you arrive for your appointment, your massage therapist will ask specific questions about your condition and any pain you feel. Trained massage therapists work hard to ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable before, during, and after your massage.
Your therapist will ask you to dress down to your comfort level and have you lie on the table while they begin a physical assessment, avoiding any areas that may be experiencing a flare-up.
At Anchorage Massage Therapies, we always welcome communication about areas that may be painful during your session. And don’t forget to let your therapist know about the areas of your body that feel good during your massage, too!
Our massage therapists keep track of all of your preferences so that each and every massage is customized to your needs.
Experience the Healing Touch With Us
Can massage help with arthritis? The answer is a resounding yes.
Regular massage therapy for arthritis can bring a renewed sense of hope, healing, and a return to wellness.
Are you looking for a massage therapy clinic in Anchorage?
Anchorage Massage Therapies has helped many Alaskans with arthritis return to activities they love, like adventuring in the mountains and enjoying time with their families.
Plus, getting a massage activates those pain blockers instantly, so if you’re having a particularly tough day, call our office, and we’ll try to get you in as soon as possible.
Arthritis can be frustrating and disheartening, but we’re here to help.
We've got you, Anchorage.
