If you have arthritis, you know that the pain can be debilitating. But did you know that hand massage might help to reduce your pain? Let’s examine can hand massage help arthritis and why hand massage might be a good option for managing your arthritis pain.
Yes, hand massage can indeed be beneficial for people with arthritis. Regular hand massage has been shown to improve strength and reduce pain in individuals with arthritis in their hands and fingers.
A recent trial involving 105 people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) found that both hand massage and Reiki (a form of energy healing) significantly relieved pain and fatigue. Reiki provided the most relief, but both therapies were remarkably effective, simple, non-invasive, and had no side effects.
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What is Arthritis?
Before we get into how to hand massage can help manage arthritis pain, let’s first look at what arthritis is and how it affects the body. Arthritis is an umbrella term used to describe over 100 different diseases that affect the joints, muscles, bones, and connective tissues.
Types Of Arthritis
Here’s an overview of the most common types of arthritis and what you need to know about them.
1. Osteoarthritis (OA)
The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis or OA. OA is caused by joint wear and tear, typically due to age or injury. Symptoms include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. OA can affect any joint in the body but is most commonly found in the hands, feet, hips, knees, and spine.
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), physical therapy, and surgery if needed.
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes joint and surrounding tissue inflammation. RA often affects multiple joints at once
- Such as those in the hands and feet
- It can cause fatigue and fever along with joint pain and swelling Treatment for RA typically involves medications such as
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
- Biologics
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Corticosteroids
- Physical therapy to manage symptoms.
3. Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of inflammatory arthritis that occurs in people with psoriasis—a chronic skin condition characterized by redness, itching, and scaling patches on the skin. PsA mainly affects small joints, such as those found in the fingers or toes but can also affect larger joints, like the hips or knees.
Treatment for PsA includes medications, such as DMARDs or biologics, to control inflammation and lifestyle changes, such as exercise or stress management techniques to improve symptoms.
Read more about: How To Massage Arthritis Hands?
What Makes Arthritis Worse?
Though Arthritis can be managed with medications and lifestyle changes, there are certain things that can make arthritis worse. Read on to find out what these aggravating factors are and how you can avoid them.
1. Excess Weight
Carrying excess weight can put extra pressure on your joints which can cause more pain if you have arthritis. Excess weight also makes it harder for your body to respond to medications for arthritis.
So if you’re overweight, losing a few pounds could help reduce your arthritic symptoms. To maintain a healthy weight. Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day and opt for nutrient-dense foods over processed ones.
2. Stress
Stress is another factor that has been linked to increased levels of pain in people with arthritis. Stress causes our bodies to release hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which can make our muscles tense up and increase joint pain.
To combat stress, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or yoga on a regular basis, take time for yourself each day and stay connected with friends and family who support you.
3. Cold Weather
Cold weather tends to make arthritic aches and pains worse due to the fact that cold temperatures decrease circulation in the body, which can further restrict movement in already stiff joints.
Wearing several layers of warm clothing during cold months is one way to help reduce joint discomfort caused by low temperatures. Additionally, try doing some light stretching before going outdoors on cold days, as this will help loosen up stiff joints before they become too uncomfortable.
Can Hand Massage Help Arthritis?
So now that we understand what arthritis is let’s talk about why hand massage might be beneficial for managing arthritis pain. Massage therapy helps to reduce inflammation in the joints by increasing blood flow to the affected areas.
The increased blood flow carries oxygen and other healing nutrients to the area, which helps to reduce swelling and improve mobility. Massage also helps to relax tense muscles, which can relieve cramping or spasms associated with some forms of arthritis. Finally, massage has been shown to reduce stress levels which can have a positive effect on overall health as well as reducing chronic pain levels.
Additional Benefits of Hand Massage
In addition to helping manage arthritic pain, hand massage has many other benefits as well. It can help
- Improve circulation throughout your entire body
- Lower blood pressure levels
- Relieve tension headaches and migraines
- Improve sleep quality
- Reduce anxiety levels
- Boost your mood overall; plus, it feels great!
So if you’re looking for an easy way to manage your arthritic pain or just want a relaxing way to unwind after a long day – give a hand massage a try!
Bottom Line:
So can hand massage help arthritis? Hand massage may help manage arthritic pain due to its ability to reduce joint inflammation and relax tense muscles. Furthermore, it offers additional benefits such as improved circulation throughout your body and relief from tension headaches or migraines. So if you suffer from any form of arthritis – consider giving a hand massage a try today! You may find it provides much-needed relief from chronic pain while offering other health benefits too!