Massage Therapy For Arthritis

Introduction

Overview of arthritis

Arthritis is derived from the Greek term for “disease of the joints”, which refers to the acute or chronic inflammation of joints (where two bones meet, like the elbow or knee). This inflammation causes pain and structural damage.¹ Other common symptoms of arthritis include redness, heat, swelling, and stiffness in affected joints.² Any joint in the body may be affected by the disease, but it is particularly common in weight-bearing joints such as the knee, hip, and spine. 

Although arthritis is mainly an adult disease, some forms affect children. There are many types of arthritis, which include osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and septic (infectious) arthritis. Osteoarthritis arthritis, or degenerative arthritis, is one of the most common types. Another common type, inflammatory arthritis, can be triggered by autoimmune processes (such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, etc.), crystal deposition-induced inflammation (such as that seen in gout, pseudogout, and basic calcium phosphate disease) or infections (for example septic arthritis or Lyme's arthritis).³

Importance of managing arthritis symptoms

Managing arthritis plays a big role in getting your disease under control and staying as healthy as possible. It is vital as it helps alleviate chronic pain, preserves joint function, improves mobility, prevents disability and enhances psychological well-being. Self-management involves making healthy lifestyle choices and learning to manage the physical and emotional effects of arthritis. This can involve exercise, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments, which allow individuals to maintain their independence, remain active, and enjoy a higher quality of life. These self-management habits can help you successfully manage your disease.⁴

Introduction to massage therapy

Massage therapy has been found to be very effective for different painful musculoskeletal conditions.⁵ The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMSD) states that massage therapy helps decrease the symptoms of arthritis like pain, inflammation, and stiffness of joints, and can improve the flexibility of the muscles and tendons. 

Massages can help patients manage arthritis in different ways. Massage therapy can reduce the severity of the symptoms of osteoarthritis by manipulating the soft tissue, releasing tension and improving flexibility and mobility by decreasing swelling and pain.6 In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, massages can help improve circulation through arthritic joints, improving blood flow, and movement, and reducing swelling. 

Read on to learn more about the different types of arthritis, how they can affect your life, and how massage therapy can help.

Understanding arthritis

Types of arthritis

There are various types of arthritis. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which usually affects the elderly population, but can be triggered by injury. Osteoarthritis causes joints to become stiff and painful.⁷ The second most common form of arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, which generally affects women between 30-50 years of age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning that it is caused by the immune system attacking the body. Rheumatoid arthritis can cause the joints to become swollen and/or damaged.

Other types of arthritis include ankylosing spondylitis, which affects the spine; gout, which is characterised by sudden flare-ups in the big toe or lower limbs; juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which is the most frequent chronic type of arthritis affecting children; and psoriatic arthritis, which is associated with psoriasis and affects the skin, joints, and bone attachments.²

Symptoms and effects on the body

The symptoms of arthritis can vary between individuals. However, some symptoms are very common, such as:^8,9

• Joint pain
• Swelling
• Joint stiffness, especially after you wake up, stand up, or exercise
• Reduced joint mobility
• Fatigue
• Erythema (redness) and warmth in the joints
• Tenderness in the joints
• Deformity of the joints
• Sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, emotional lability, and systemic illnesses

Massage therapy as an alternative treatment

Massage therapy is one of the most widely accepted and safest forms of alternative treatment for patients suffering from different pathological conditions including arthritis anxiety, sleep problems, pain management and injury repair. Many studies have compared massage therapy against standard treatment, with massage therapy typically being more beneficial.¹⁰ 

Massage therapy has been frequently used for several pain syndromes. Studies have shown that massage therapy can significantly reduce pain, including chronic pain in arthritis and back pain. Specifically, massage therapy provides pain relief by stimulating pressure receptors and stimulating the vagus nerve, which causes levels of the stress hormone cortisol to decrease.¹¹ The Gate Control Theory is frequently used to explain massage therapy’s effects on chronic pain. This theory suggests that pressure signals (such as those triggered during a massage) travel to the brain more quickly than pain signals, as they travel down different nerve fibres - meaning that the sensations of massage effectively ‘overpower’ and drown out pain .¹²

Studies supporting the use of massage therapy for arthritis

Massage therapy is gaining traction as a new treatment for arthritis and chronic pain. It is backed by several studies, some of which are discussed below:

• One study investigating the efficacy of massage therapy in treating knee arthritis pain found that massages significantly improved patient scores and/or responses to the pain scale, the ‘get up and go’ test, and the WOMAC index.¹³
• In another knee osteoarthritis study, Chinese massage was given to patients. It was noticed that patients receiving Chinese massage experienced less pain and stiffness, and experienced enhanced joint function.¹⁰
• Seven randomised trials (including a total of 352 participants) found low- to moderate-confidence evidence that massage therapy is superior to non-reactive therapies in reducing pain and improving certain functional outcomes.¹⁴
• A 2018 study found that receiving a one-hour whole-body massage each week brought on significant improvement in pain and mobility in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
• A study conducted at the University of Miami suggests that a 15-minute, moderate-pressure massage each day can reduce pain and improve grip strength in patients with hand or wrist arthritis.
• A 2014 review published in PLoS One found that receiving massage therapy for five weeks or more can significantly improve pain, anxiety and depression in patients with fibromyalgia.

Considerations and precautions

• You should not massage tired muscles (e.g. after heavy exercise).
• Don't get a massage if you have a fever or are drunk.
• Massage gently around sensitive areas like the ears, temples, and under the armpits.
• Pregnant women can get gentle massages after 3 months of pregnancy, avoiding certain techniques.
• Be cautious when massaging clients who have diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, and avoid exercises that raise blood pressure.
• Do not massage areas near artificial joints or transplanted organs.
• Avoid giving or receiving massages if you have an infectious disease.
• People with HIV can get massages, but avoid contact with bodily fluids and always wear gloves for internal massage.
• Do not receive a massage if you have cancer.
• Do not receive a massage if you recently underwent surgery or have recently had a serious injury. 

Summary

Massage therapy presents a promising avenue for managing arthritis symptoms, offering relief from pain, inflammation, and stiffness while promoting flexibility and joint mobility. Supported by research demonstrating its efficacy in improving functional outcomes and enhancing overall well-being, massage therapy serves as a valuable complement to traditional arthritis treatments. However, it is essential to consider individual health conditions and precautions for effective therapy delivery and optimal results.