Massage Therapy
Massage Therapy has been practiced in all societies since the earliest of time. The laying of hands or manipulation of the soft tissue of the body is a well known and respected form of therapy to assist with the lessening of pain. There are close to one hundred different styles of massage but in all types the therapist may use his/her hands, fingers, knuckles, elbows, forearms and even the feet.
The main intent of massage is to relax the client, apply oils and creams to the back, arms and legs, cover him with towels and warm sheets and to lightly rub and manipulate the body. He will relax the soft tissue, increase the blood flow and the delivery of oxygen to the necessary areas, keep the body warm and help to decrease pain. The main concept is to deliver blood and oxygen to the starved muscle groups, joints and tendons in order to relieve the pain of arthritis and other conditions.
There are so many different types of massage that I cannot do justice to any one method. The Swedish style uses long, hard strokes on the back while twisting the body, the arms and legs to get muscles to move and start to work again. North Americans are probably more familiar with the deep tissue massage where the therapist uses a combination of strokes and deep finger pressure where he can feel the knotted muscle groups that need to be relaxed deep under the skin.
I have had the deep tissue massage and I have felt discomfort because my arthritis is right throughout my body. I cannot relax because I know that every movement is going to mean more pain to my body. Then you have to get up after your treatment and get dressed to leave. I do not find full measure relief in any massage unless I am at home, in bed and I just get a regular back rub. That does me the world of good.
Massage is not just for arthritis pain but is found to be useful in lowering the levels of blood pressure, anxiety and stress. The clinical practice itself is often housed in the same office as a chiropractor as they work co-operatively with each other. One week you might need a chiropractic treatment followed the following week by a massage. Be sure to find a registered massage therapist RMT rather than someone who hangs out a shingle offering massages by the hour.