Massage therapy is a proven way to improve muscle and joint movement. Athletes use massage as a way to relax tense muscles and stimulate circulation. Massage therapy for arthritis is not only enjoyable, it has proven to be therapeutic.

Massage therapies for arthritis break the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. Massage is being used successfully in some medical facilities as a healing therapy for people who suffer from arthritis.

Now as the medical community becomes enlightened to the benefits of massage insurance sometimes covers the treatment when prescribed by a a doctor. Now millions of Americans have access to massage as a treatment alternative for painful arthritis symptoms.

The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis continues to grow as the efficacy of the treatments is validated. The use of massage in the treatment of arthritis is being acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions.

Massage has few side effects and does not add toxins to the body as traditional medications that are prescribed to treat arthritis. Some of the most common forms of massage used in the treatment of arthritis pain include: These are some of the most common ones:

*Deep tissue massage using slow strong pressure to reach the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Releasing tissue is the primary goal. The side effects may be soreness and some minor discomfort.

However deep tissue massage is sometimes associated with acupressure that has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis

*Swedish massage is the most popular method of massaging the body. The whole body is stroked and kneaded. The top layer of muscles are manipulated with gentle stokes and movement. The Swedish massage is considered to be the most enjoyable massage technique.

*Myofascial release massage involves long strokes that stretch the body. These strokesare intended to release tension in the fascia. The fascia is the connective tissue around the muscles.

*Acupressure and Shiatsu massage are ancient Asian techniques that use pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure is similar to acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

*Trigger point therapy uses concentrated finger pressure on points or knots of tension or pain in the body.

*Reflexology therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, or ears that correspond to other parts of the body

The benefits of massage therapy for arthritis are many:

*Deep muscle and tissue relaxation

*Reduces stress

*Releases toxins from the body

*Increases the flexibility of muscles

*Improves blood circulations

*Lowers blood pressure

*Relieves tension and pain

*Balances the body

*Reduces nervousness

*Heightens mental and spiritual awareness

Massage therapy has been proven to be effective in treating the pain associated with arthritis that other medical treatments are unable to address Massage therapy has proven to provide a higher quality of life to individuals who use massage therapy to relieve pain. More people are learning to experience relief of pain as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of a massage.

For more information on the benefits of massage therapies for arthritis please visit www.quickarthritispainrelief.com, a popular website that provides arthritis pain relief tips, advice and resources to include information on arthritis symptoms and natural arthritis relief methods.

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Benefits of Alternative Massage Therapy for Arthritis Patients

Patients suffering from Arthritis get the following benefits out of alternative message therapy:

o Deep muscle and tissue relaxation
o Stress reduction
o Release of toxins from the body
o Increase in muscle flexibility
o Improved blood circulations
o Reduction in blood pressure
o Reduction in nervousness
o Tension and pain relief
o Heightened mental and spiritual awareness

While the benefits of alternative message therapy are numerous, it should also be noted that there are different types of physical massage therapies that tackle arthritis in their own way.

Deep Tissue Massage – Therapeutic Alternative Therapy

Deep Tissue massage includes aligning the deep layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is extremely helpful for tense and contracted areas such as sore shoulders, stiff necks and backs. It is also associated with acupressure which has therapeutic benefits to the body and eases arthritis pain and discomfort.

Swedish Massage – A Popular Choice

This massage technique is very popular. Physical therapists use massage oils and a techniques such as kneading, tapping and stretching in order to reduce muscle tension in arthritic patients. Swedish massage uses firm but gentle pressure to promote relaxation and is widely regarded as the most enjoyable type of massage without any side effects such as soreness.

Shiatsu Massage – Alternative Therapy from Asia

Shiatsu massage, also known as acupressure massage, is a finger pressure massage technique derived from ancient Asia. It involves the use of pressure points on specific parts of the body. Acupressure shares its similarities with acupuncture in that acupressure uses the same points that are stimulated in acupuncture.

Reflexology Massage Therapy – A Different Approach

Most massages techniques focus more on the neck, back and shoulders than the rest of the body. Reflexology Massage Therapy involves applying pressure to specific points on the hands, ears and feet in order to release tension. Since these organs are also connected to other parts of the body, the relaxing effect spreads throughout the body.

Myofascial Massage – Ignore the Muscle

Aside from Arthritic patients, this alternative therapy is very popular among sports athletes. It differs from all the other massage therapy techniques because it does not target the muscles itself. Rather, it targets the Fascia which is a membrane surrounding the muscles responsible for body structure and protecting internal organs.

Alternative Therapy and Arthritis Today

Today, the use of massage as an effective alternative therapy treatment for Arthritis continues to grow as more and more people learn about its benefits. Alternative therapy has been acknowledged by the medical establishment as a less invasive method of therapy for chronic conditions and is successfully being used as healing therapy at many medical facilities across the country. Furthermore, it breaks the cycle of pain that often goes along with arthritis. More and more people suffering from Arthritis are learning to experience pain relief as they are treated to the miraculous healing power of alternative massage therapy.

Alternative physical therapy

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Back massage therapy offers numerous benefits. While general massage is well known to stimulate blood flow to the muscles and provide relaxation and a pleasurable experience, it does not necessarily provide the therapeutic value required to provide chronic back pain relief sought by sufferers of the condition. Back massage therapy by a specialist however can bring about significant relief within weeks, when therapeutic back massage techniques are applied to combat both lower and upper back pain.

The positive results from back massage therapy can be multiplied when combined with complimentary treatments such as Chiropractic, Physical Therapy or even Acupuncture. A multi discipline approach will work best when the therapists communicate with each other and ‘design’ a program of complimentary treatments to achieve chronic back pain relief through a synergistic approach.

Results can again be significantly improved with the patient taking personal responsibility and being proactive in achieving chronic back pain relief. This can be done with simple measures such as an improved diet, gentle exercise and stretching.

Benefits of Back Massage Therapy

• Massaging causes the muscles to become more relaxed which in turn increases their range of motion. This is an enormous benefit when tension of the muscles causes a restriction in movement. Relaxed muscles also help to reduce insomnia.

• Improved blood supply to the muscles assists with the recovery of muscular soreness from physical activity.

• Massage increases endorphin levels in the body. This is highly beneficial as endorphins are the ‘feel good’ chemicals produced naturally by our bodies. Heightened endorphin levels assist in dealing with chronic back pain.

Precautions

Take note that when receiving massage therapy for the back, the pressure applied during the massage should evoke a response of relaxation in the muscles. If this does not occur the muscles may be inflamed possibly due to an acute injury of the muscle. In this case massage therapy should be put off until the inflammation subsides and it may be advised to consult a doctor.

For best results, muscle spasms generally require four massage treatments, commonly spread over six weeks. Should the muscle spasms not respond to therapy after two massages, it may be advisable to seek an alternative therapy.

Back massage techniques are highly effective in the treatment of chronic back pain, however if the pain is severe it is recommended to first undergo a complete medical check-up prior to beginning a program of back massage therapy.

Conclusion

For those seeking chronic back pain relief there is a wide variety of treatment options available both in conventional medicine and alternative therapies. Whatever your preference of treatment, back massage therapy can be a highly beneficial partner in your quest for relief.

Arthur Bakeright is a qualified but non practicing massage therapist and avid traveler. He now writes extensively on both massage and travel.

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