Today over 4.2 million Canadians suffer from
arthritis and this staggering statistic includes that more than half of that
number are under the age of 65; further that more than 600,000 are so severely
affected by the disease that they are unable to hold steady employment. This
produces a strain not only on the arthritis sufferer but also on the national
economy, which, including loss of productivity coupled with health costs leaves
a financial burden of arthritis in Canada at $6.4 billion!
Arthritis is a form of joint disorder that involves inflammation of one
or more joints. Arthritis consists of more than 100 different conditions,
ranging from relatively mild forms like bursitis to crippling systemic types,
such as rheumatoid arthritis. Regardless of the type of arthritis, the symptoms
are commonly pain, swelling and joint stiffness. It is wrong to assume that
arthritis that is an untreatable condition. There are also preventative
measures one can take, such as maintaining a healthy body weight and following
a correct diet and exercise regime as well as avoiding risk activities that may
contribute to joint injuries. However, there are no guarantees that one can
protect oneself from the onset of arthritis as its encroachment can be slow and
insidious.
Receiving proper diagnosis is critical since treatment options vary
depending on the type of arthritis. These can range from medications to
physical therapy.
Massage
therapy has become an increasingly popular option in managing arthritis pain.
Not only does massage help to soothe sore joints and muscles, it also aids in
easing anxiety and promotes better sleep. Another benefit is that massage
increases the body's ability to produce endorphins which reduce pain. Recent
studies have shown that regular massage therapy sessions have resulted in
improvements in pain, stiffness, range of motion, hand grip strength and
overall function of the joints. In addition, massage therapy has shown to be
effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee.
At
Academy Massage our trained therapists understand the difficulty of living with
the pain and worry of arthritis and utilize the most effective modern massage
methods to help reduce both the soreness and the stress.
Massage therapy
involves working soft body tissues with the hands or an instrument, thus easing
the discomfort of the arthritis sufferer by loosening up the affected joints.
In addition, when gentle joint stretching is done, it can stimulate the
production of synovial fluid, which acts as a cushion and reduces inflammation
and pain. Academy Massage employs various massage therapies depending on one's
type of arthritis and symptoms. These include deep-tissue massage and
reflexology. To this end, it is very important that the arthritis sufferer be
specific about where and how the arthritis is affecting him so that safe and proper
treatment can be applied.
While
massage therapy cannot cure or halt the progress of arthritis, it can ease the painful
symptoms and help improve one's quality of life.
Speak to one of our qualified professionals to
discover if massage therapy might be a treatment option that is right for you.
