For those who have arthritis, the pain and stiffness can make everyday activities a challenge. But massage can be a great way to alleviate these symptoms and improve your overall well-being. Let’s explore are hand massage good for arthritis.
Are Hand Massage Good For Arthritis | Let’s Find Out
Massaging your hands is beneficial as it helps increase blood flow, reducing inflammation and swelling. It also helps to relax muscles, which can reduce pain and stiffness.
Additionally, gentle pressure on points along the hands can help relieve tension in other body parts that are affected by arthritis, such as the neck and back. These effects can be beneficial for those with rheumatoid arthritis, as it helps to manage their pain levels while also reducing fatigue.
Different Types of Hand Massage
If you’ve ever had a massage, you know how great it can feel to have your sore muscles worked out, and the tension in your body eased away. But did you know that massage isn’t just for the body? You can get a hand massage too! This massage is excellent for relieving stress, boosting mood, and improving circulation. Let’s look at some of the different kinds of hand massages available.
Trigger Point Massage – Trigger point therapy relieves pain in specific areas. It involves targeting tight spots in muscles and applying pressure to those areas until they release tension.
In a hand massage, trigger point massage uses finger movements and pressure points to help alleviate any pain or tension in the hands. This massage can also help reduce inflammation caused by arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
Swedish Massage – Swedish massage is a gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, kneading motions, and circular movements on top layers of muscle tissue to relieve stress and promote relaxation.
During a Swedish hand massage, these techniques are applied to the palms and backs of the hands and each individual finger. This massage is excellent for reducing anxiety and soothing sore hands from repetitive activities such as typing or playing an instrument.
Reflexology – Reflexology is based on the idea that certain body parts correspond with other components through energy pathways known as meridians. In reflexology, pressure is applied to specific points on the hands corresponding to different areas to restore balance throughout the body.
A reflexology hand massage can treat various ailments such as headaches, digestive issues, sinus problems, back pain, insomnia, depression, and more!
Read more about: Why Should You Buy A Hand Massager For Arthritis?
What Is The Main Cause Of Arthritis In Hands?
While arthritis can affect any joint in the body, it’s widespread in the hands. Understanding what causes arthritis and how it can be treated is vital for living with this condition comfortably. Let’s look at the leading causes of arthritis in the hands and how to manage them.
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common types of arthritis caused by age-related wear and tear on cartilage, which cushions our joints. As we age, our cartilage loses its flexibility, leading to joint inflammation and pain. OA usually affects people over 50 but can occur earlier if you are genetically predisposed or have suffered an injury or trauma to your hands.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is another type of arthritis that affects approximately 1% of Americans. The main difference between OA and RA is that RA is an autoimmune disorder where your body attacks itself and causes inflammation in your joints. This type of arthritis tends to affect both hands equally, so if you notice swelling or pain in both hands, it could be due to RA.
Other Causes
In addition to OA and RA, many other conditions can cause arthritis in your hands, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, gouty arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, bursitis, tendinitis, and more. Other factors, such as obesity or infection, can also contribute to hand pain caused by inflammation or stiffness.
Read more about: Can Hand Massage Help Arthritis?
Bottom Line:
Are hand massage good for Arthritis? Hand massage is an effective way for people with arthritis to manage their pain levels. It increases blood flow, relieves tension in other areas of the body affected by arthritis, promotes relaxation, and stimulates nerve endings that may be causing discomfort due to inflammation.
There are several different types of hand massage techniques you can try. Each one provides unique benefits that will help alleviate some of the symptoms of arthritis while improving overall well-being. So if you’re looking for a natural remedy for managing arthritic pain, why not try hand massage? You just might be surprised at how much relief it provides!