Massage Therapies for Arthritis: An Overview
Massage therapies for arthritis have been practised some thousands years old, but are still considered to be one of the most effective treatment for arthritis.
Arthritis is a kind of rheumatic disease that can cause pain, stiffness and swelling in the joints. Sometimes, the disease may create complications and affect other parts of the body like muscles and internal organs.
However, if administered properly, massage therapies for arthritis can effectively help improve joint movement and relax tense muscles. They also stimulate the flow of blood and nutrients to the skin and its underlying tissues. Let me give you an insight into how the massage therapies for arthritis work.
Massage therapies for arthritis involve manipulation of muscles, tendons and other soft tissues through rubbing, stroking, or putting pressure on the flesh with your hands. Massaging of muscles, tendons and soft tissues around the inflamed joint result in increased blood flow to and from the diseased joint. It also helps in enhanced lymphatic drainage around the treatment area.
Normally, the therapist asks you to remove some or all of your clothing and lie on a padded table with your body covered with a sheet or towel. The therapist uncovers only that part of your body, which would need to be massaged. The therapist then pours an oil or lotion on your skin and begins the massage therapy. You should inform your therapist if you have any skin allergies, before he uses any oil. During the therapy if you find that you are experiencing pain, ask the therapist to slow down. Rough rubbing and stroking are not recommended in massage therapies for arthritis.
Massage therapies for arthritis usually last from sixty to ninety minutes. However, undergoing just one session of therapy may give relief from pain on a short-term basis. In order to feel some real improvements, I personally recommend four to six sessions of massage therapy for arthritis each of which should be about a week apart.
At first, the massage therapist asks questions about your current physical condition, medical history and what should be your expectations from the treatment. Based on these, the therapist decides on the right treatment you require.
Normally, massage therapies for arthritis may cost somewhere between $30 and $125 per hour depending on your physical condition, medical history and the intensity of pain. However, some insurance companies cover the cost of such alternative treatments, but then, you must get it prescribed by a doctor.
The massage therapist may show you some techniques for massage, which you may use on yourself at home. However, some massage therapies for arthritis when done by the patient himself, are not as effective and relaxing. You should self-massage yourself only on those spots on your body where your hands can reach. For hard-to-reach places, you do need a partner to help you out. Always consult your therapist if you are trying out something new in your self-massage routine.
Overall, massage therapies for arthritis give excellent results in majority of the cases. They break the cycle of pain and stress that comes along with arthritis. Lastly, the relaxation they bring about is just great.
Source: Free Articles
Author: skleong
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Stress Management: Massage Therapy is Excellent to Relieve Your Stress
There is so much stress in our lives in this modern era that we live in. We are hit from all sides whether from home or from work. These pressures seem to be increasing. In previous eras danger from physical harm was the major cause of stress. This acute type of stress caused what is called the fight or flight reaction. We are under less physical danger these days as stress has shifted to more mental stress. The type of stress has changed, but not our reaction to it.
This reaction to stress causes the body to kick itself into high gear. Our heart rate is increased, the major organs shut down all but the most basic functions and adrenaline is pumped out to boost our energy. There is a major redirection of chemical reactions in the body to get it immediately ready for action. However, with many of the stresses we encounter there is no physical release to all this redirection of energy. This can be problematic since many toxin are the by product of these chemical reactions and these stay in the body.
You know when you have a big meeting, you have a nervous reaction which is similar to the fight or flight reaction. Part of your stress management is to redirect this nervous energy into helping you perform better in the meeting. This takes discipline and training. Many top athletes are able to channel this nervous energy into higher levels of performance. But again with athletic performance there is a physical release of this built up energy.
When we are under stress, our bodies are primed for taking physical action. When we take physical action, then we are releasing out the increased energy out our bodies physically. If we do not have a physical outlet, one excellent method is massage therapy. Massage therapy helps loosen up muscle tension, it releases toxins trapped in our muscle tissue and it helps us to mentally relax. Some massage treatments also can reverse the tension in the major organs via the trigger points in our hands and feet.
Receiving massage therapy from a masseuse is an excellent method to help you relax. It may not always be convenient, so another method is with a massage chair. The massage chair recliners on the market today are very advanced. They offer all the top massage techniques like Shiatsu, deep tissue, Swedish, sports, reflexology and many others. All of these techniques relieve tired, aching and sore muscles. They can target specific areas like your neck and shoulders where stress seems to build up. They will improve your circulation of the blood and lymph systems. These systems remove the chemicals that build up in our body which are in need of periodic flushing.
Stress comes from our environment and is subject to our interpretation and built up set of reactions. These cannot be eliminated entirely. Massage therapy is an essential tool in our stress management toolbox. Massage chairs are one of the most convenient and effective ways to receive massage therapy. These recliners have full body capabilities and have many additional features beyond massage. Many have stretching, music therapy and heat. These additional features compliment the massage and help to induce total body relaxation.
Imagine the convenience of having your own massage chair recliner at home. You start to come under stress situations. You can just sit down and let the massage chair work you over. Your body starts to feel better and your mind starts to clear. You now are in a better frame of mind to come up with better ways to overcome the problems at hand. You now have a powerful stress management tool, your massage chair recliner at your disposal.
Get an effective arsenal of Stress Management options with a massage chair therapy. You can find many articles to help you research the best massage chair for your requirements. Find the stress relief you need with many massage therapies.
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Hot Stone Massage
In the entire history of massage therapy there has been a great deal of discussion about what type of massage is the most relaxing, therapeutic, or just luxurious. For my money Hot Stone Massage is the most luxurious massage you can get anywhere. Also known as Warm Stone Therapy, Therapeutic Stone Massage, River Stone Massage, or even Hot Rock Therapy, this full-body massage technique may be the ultimate in relaxation massage.
The name "Hot Stone Massage" comes from the use of smooth basalt stones that vary in size from about the size of a golf ball to the size of a computer mouse. When the stones are being used in massage they are heated well above body temperature then lubricated and applied to the client's body in long flowing massage strokes. The penetrating heat of the stones and the pressure of the strokes softens connective tissues and fascia and radiates into your muscles causing stress, tension, and anxiety to melt away leaving you relaxed with enhanced feelings of well-being.
In addition to being very relaxing and almost sinfully luxurious, Hot Stone Massage also has a number of healthy benefits. Hot Stone Massage is great for reducing unhealthy stress, and improving the circulation of both blood and lymph. When combined with trigger point therapy or deep tissue techniques, Hot Stone Massage is great for relieving pain. Also, many people receiving Hot Stone Massage report sleeping more restfully for several days after receiving the massage!
Although many people think of Hot Stone Massage as a toasty treat on a cold day, Hot Stone Massage is great anytime! On a cool winter's day,Hot Stone Massage warms you through and through. On a hot summer day, Hot Stone Massage in a cool massage room is a great release to help you beat the heat.
I'm sure you'll love Hot Stone Massage from the first time you get one. Check with a massage therapist near you to get your Hot Stone Massage today.
Lydia Hernandez is a Licensed Massage Therapist and Neuromuscular Therapist in San Antonio, Texas. Specializing in Relaxation and Pain Relief Massage for Men and Women. Additional information on Lydia and her Specialty can be found at http://www.lydiasmassage.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lydia_Hernandez
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What is Aquatic Massage Therapy?
Aquatic massage therapy involves a gentle, manual massage therapy procedure that utilizes the buoyancy of water in a therapeutic pool. In most cases, aquatic massage therapy benefits a client more because the body experiences an increased range of motion in water than it does outside of the water.
In a therapeutic pool, the massage therapist can guide her client through a series of gentles stretches without the impedance due to joint and muscle pain that the client normally experiences on dry land.
During an aquatic massage, the client floats on his back while the water helps the massage therapist support him. Many times, a floatation device such as a pool noodle is used to support the client's feet while the massage therapist supports the head and neck. Once the client is comfortable in the water, he will benefit from the warm, gentle freedom of motion that can only be found in an aquatic massage.
Aquatic massage therapy uses a variety of massage techniques similar to those used on land. However, this particular kind of massage commonly combines techniques taken from Jahara and Watsu massage.
Jahara massage involves a series of safe joint stretches to help lengthen the spine. The stretches are based on the body's muscle structure and proper alignment.
Watsu massage refers to a series of gentle Shiatsu stretches to enhance flexibility while the client is floating in warm water.
The temperature of the therapeutic pool is normally maintained at 95o F in order to keep the client relaxed and their muscles and joints loose during the aquatic massage session. The temperature and buoyancy of the water as well as the resistance provided by the gentle movements underwater allow the massage therapist to move the client's body through a smooth range of motion without eliciting pain to the client's muscles and joints.
Clients with a reduced range of motion are recommended to undergo aquatic massage therapy. Such therapy can give the client relief from arthritis, osteoarthritis, and post-surgical pain. Massage therapist may also recommend aquatic massage therapy for pregnant women, postpartum women, and clients with any type of nerve damage. Clients who suffer from sleep disorders such as insomnia may find aquatic massage therapy to be very relaxing.
Micaela Romualdez is a freelance article writer for DFWChiroMassage. She enjoys writing on topics such as chiropractic, rolfing, massage therapy benefits, homeopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, nutrition, and other types of alternative health care.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Micaela_Romualdez
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