Des Moines Massage - Is Massage A Good Alternative Therapy For Arthritis?

These days, many people suffering from the difficulties of arthritis, are turning to massage therapy to address both the pain and the stiffness that comes from arthritis.



Maybe you haven't tried massage yet because you don't know what to expect, then this article will help you by addressing your concerns and showing you how massage can be effective in the management of your arthritis.



Did you know there are over 100,000 massage therapists at work in the United States. You will find them practicing massage therapy in many settings; hospitals, massage therapy centers, wellness centers or private practices. People turn to them for help in; easing pain, rehabilitation from an injury, reduce stress, ease anxiety and depression, and to improve their overall well being.



SO WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF MASSAGE?

When it comes to chronic pain conditions, massage can have a multitude of benefits. If done correctly, massage can provide a wonderful break from the stress of living with arthritis or another stressful conditions. It can assist you in relaxation, which helps healing and reduces stress. It also can help reduce pain, improve your joint movement, relax muscle tension, and stimulate the blood flow through out your body. For those of you who suffer from arthritis, massage should be considered as a complementary therapy. Meaning that it should be used in combination with, other regular medical treatments such as pain medicine or physical therapy..



RELAXATION

It is easy to see, the biggest benefit of massage is relaxation. Massage should relieve stress and bring a sense of well being to your body. No one knows exactly why or how massage encourages relaxation, but some speculate that massage triggers the body's parasympathetic nervous system, which supports the body's restorative processes, muscle tension is improved, the heart rate slows, and the fight-or-flight response is revered.



CIRCULATION

Massage can also help your circulation by increase the flow of blood. Massage is thought to encourage the flow of lymph in the body.  Lymph is a fluid that circulates throughout the body; the cells in lymph help fight infection and disease. During a relaxing massage, local circulation may increase, but systemic circulation actually slows down. This is evidenced by lowered blood pressure, lower body temperature, and slower breathing. This helps explain why many people actually become cooler during massage.



PAIN RELIEF

There is also some evidence that massage can actually bring relief from pain. People who are getting a massage certainly think it does. Studies done by the American Massage Therapy Association that showed 93% of the people who tried a massage, felt it was effective for pain relief. Although there are many theories out there for why a massage relieves pain, some researchers speculate that massage encourages the release of pain-relieving hormones or that massage may block pain signals that are sent to the brain.



Improved Joint Movement

Through the use of direct pressure, massage affects the muscles and connective tissues in the body, increasing mobility. This increases the range of motion in the joints and results in less stiffness in the muscles, tendons and ligaments for those who suffer from arthritis.



Blades Massage and Wellness is a certified, massage therapy and wellness center located in Des Moines. Blades Massage was voted one of the <a href=http://www.BladesMassage.com>Best Massages in Des Moines</a> by readers of Cityview Magazine in Des Moines, IA for the past 4 years.

Click here,to learn more about the <a href=http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com>benefits of massage</a> or visit us at <a href=http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com>http://www.DesMoinesIowaMassage.com</a>

 

Blades Massage & Wellness, 4725 Merle Hay Road, Suite 106, Des Moines, IA 50322