Arthritis and Massage Therapy
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There are over 100 different types of arthritis.
Western medicine
thinks of arthritis as a disease.
Holistic or Naturopathic medicine thinks
of it as a
symptom or warning that the body is out of balance.
The two main types of arthritis that you hear about most often is
osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis involves the
deterioration of the cartilage protecting the end of the bones. The end of
the bones are usually smooth allowing them to move freely against each other but
various things can cause them to become rough resulting in friction. The
cartilage begins to break down and the bone becomes irregular.
Osteoarthritis affects mainly weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and
back but can also affect the hands. Osteoarthritis can also lead to a
weakness in the surrounding muscles and an increase in bone fractures as the
bone weakens. Women have it more than men.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder meaning that it is a result of
an over active immune system. It is a case of the self attacking the self.
The body's immune system sees the synovial membranes as foreign objects
resulting in inflammation that destroys the bone surfaces.
Spondyloarthropathies are a group of rheumatic disorders of the spine.
Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the most common. This often results in
postural deformities.
Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis of the big toe, feet and hands.
It occurs most often in people who are overweight and who eat rich foods and
alcohol. Crystallized uric acid are deposited in the joints causing
swelling and redness.
Arthritis is reversible and curable in some cases with proper diet and
nutrition as well as exercise.
Causes: As in any disease or condition the goal is to uncover the cause
of the condition so that the condition can be relieved.
Some common causes of arthritis are things like malabsorption syndrom,
toxicity, candida, epsein-barr virus and other viruses, allergies and digestive
disorders. Misalignment of the body and trauma can also influence the
health of joints. It can also be caused by bacterial infections. It
can also be influenced by estrogen levels and being overweight.
Symptoms:
Pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness in muscles
Increase in stress.
Treatments:
Cautions: Do not work on inflamed
joints.
Bones are fragile and porous meaning they can break easily with even light
pressure
As the joint deteriorates, the surrounding muscles can act as a splint and
tighten up to support the joint. This also can add to the compression and stress
of the joint adding to the pain.
Reduces secondary symptoms such as stress, insomnia.
Exercise, anti-inflammatory diet reducing sugar, food allergens.
Resources:
Bone
and Joint Conditions by Ben Benjamin
Massage Found Effective for Chronic Hand Arthritis By Julie Engebretson,
Massage Today
Research
backs massage for arthritis (pdf file)-AMTA Foundation
REMEDIES FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS
By Karta
Purkh Singh Khalsa: AMTA Journal
Seeking Alternatives for Arthritis Sufferers Life Span--Chasing the Pain
Away By Karrie Osborn Massage and Bodywork Magazine
Hand arthritis pain is reduced by massage therapy
Tiffany Field Miguel Diego, Maria
Hernandez-Reif and Jean Shea Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies
Osteoarthritis - www.digitalnaturopath.com
Rheumatoid Arthritis -www.digitalnaturopath.com
