Do you have days where you suffer from pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited range of motion? If your answer is yes, that is a major sign of arthritis. This pain is often hard to manage, as it decreases both one’s quality of life and range of body movement.
There are various treatments for arthritis, including medication and surgery. However, both of these options can be extremely costly. Thankfully, these aren’t the only options for relief! Massage therapy is a very effective treatment for arthritis as it can reduce pain and improve mobility of joints. Let’s take a look at how exactly massage therapy helps with arthritis.
Produces helpful hormones and substances
Regular use of therapeutic massage can lower the production of the stress hormone cortisol and instead, boost the production of serotonin, which is sometimes referred to as the “happy chemical.” Serotonin can improve your mood and contribute to happiness and well-being.
Additionally, therapeutic massage can lower the production of the neurotransmitter substance P, which works as the transmitter of pain information. When conducted by a trained massage therapist, massage therapy can have these effective results that can help reduce pain and increase mobility.
Works as a pain reliever
Most doctors approve of massage therapy as an effective treatment of arthritis. However, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor before seeing a reputable massage therapist in Westminster. Massage therapy affects your body in a way that reduces some substances and produces some hormones to relieve the pain of arthritis. There are several types of massages that have potential benefits for patients with arthritis.
Swedish Massage
In this massage, a therapist uses hands, forearms, and elbows to apply light to medium pressure on the patient’s body. This method has many benefits including improved blood circulation to the whole body, cleansing of toxins from nerve and muscle tissues, and improvement of muscle and joint flexibility. This massage is perfect for reducing pain and ache that comes from arthritis.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage involves manipulation of the deep layer of tissue in a patient’s body. It focuses on applying pressure slowly and firmly to connective tissue and other supportive tissue that constitute muscles and joints.
When a patient receives deep tissue massage, he or she usually lays on the stomach or back while a therapist applies firm pressure to reach the targeted areas of his or her body. Deep tissue massage stimulates blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, and produces a happy chemical resulting in a significant reduction in arthritis pain.
Thai Massage
Thai massage involves moving and manipulating a patient’s body to relieve physical and emotional tension. A therapist applies gentle pressure and stretching methods to relax the whole body.
Unlike other techniques, in Thai massage, a patient usually lies on the floor and participates in exercise movements more actively than other methods. Thai massage helps lower stress, stimulates circulation, boosts energy levels, and works effectively to reduce arthritis pain.
Japanese Trigger Point Massage (Shiatsu)
This Japanese massage technique involves continuous, rhythmic motions of a therapist’s fingers and palms to apply pressure to certain points of a patient’s body. Trigger point massage helps in relieving pain, regaining mobility, and relaxing overall muscles. This method is helpful to get at the trigger points that other methods would’ve missed.
Are you experiencing pain caused by arthritis? If you find yourself google searching “massage therapy near me” in the Westminster area, book an appointment with Best Choice Massage today!
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