Arthritis usually includes inflammation and pain causing limitations in movements and activities. It is a fearsome word to many. As our age gets older we feel there will be no return. So when that is done, it must be ours to deal with. But the truth has much deeper implications. It’s good to see how you can ease a painful condition. In addition to traditional therapies for arthritis, licensed massage therapy is available. Massage therapy may help arthritis if needed.
Your knees are stressed out by every step you take daily. And knee injuries tend to happen quite frequently. According to a study knee problems affect 25 percent of the population and affect nearly 4 million physicians each year.
Knee braces are a standard solution for aching knee muscles. However, if you have tried other remedies, you may wonder what the benefits of massage knee pain are.
In this article, we are going to learn more about massage for knee arthritis, the benefits of massage therapy on knee arthritis, and techniques to massage knee arthritis.
What is massage therapy?
The healing power of massage is one of the oldest traditions in medicine. Massage was believed to have therapeutic properties by many ancient civilizations, including the Ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Chinese, and Indians.
Myotherapy and massage therapy involves kneading or manipulating soft tissues to improve a person’s health or well-being. Muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia are held, moved, and pressured during this form of manual therapy.
When you’re battling knee swelling or stiffness it can be helpful. Whether you experience pain from osteoarthritis or other joint problems, it’s clear why you need additional help. A massage is an extra option that can positively impact your daily routine and your life.
Benefits of massage on knee arthritis
In the United States, over 1 billion Americans suffer from a degenerative joint disease known as osteoarthritis, which is typically associated with wear and tear of the weight-bearing joints. The goal of the treatment of chronic progressive aging usually includes the reduction of pain and stiffness in the joints and improved mobility of the joints. The hip is one of the largest joints of our body and the knee can cause osteoarthritis. In some cases it is possible to massage therapy will be beneficial.
Many people find it difficult to choose between knee pain relief and a knee-spraying solution, despite having reassurance from a physician about its effectiveness. These treatments include knee stretches. Various studies have found that massage of the joint has many different benefits, such as massage can help increase muscle tone and improve overall flexibility. These physiological benefits are important to understand.
Massage increases the circulation of blood, which helps relieve joint discomfort. Massage is an alternative therapy for many health problems and other health conditions. Treatment options for arthritis include medication, steroid injection, aiding devices, exercise, diet modifications, and surgery. Massage is also beneficial for improving the blood flow as well as preventing symptoms. It explains that massage helps arthritis sufferers and explains what can be expected from massage treatments.
Techniques to massage knee arthritis
Understanding trigger points is essential to understanding knee pain massage techniques. Many factors can cause trigger points to develop, including injury, surgery, and everyday stress.
It is common for trigger points to cause pain and soreness. As one of their most significant characteristics, trigger points can result in pain in other parts of the body away from their location. As an example, headaches are commonly caused by neck and shoulder pain that refers to the head.
The various knee pain massage techniques will target trigger points rather than the area of pain directly.
Here are three main knee pain massage techniques:
- Lifting massage technique
- Cross Friction Technique
- Quadriceps Compression Technique
Lifting knee massage technique
The lifting technique falls under the category of petrissage movements. The process is also known as “Picking Up”. There are two general types of petrissage movements: those that involve pressing soft tissues against one another and those that involve pressing soft tissues against the underlying bone.
The lifting technique involves compressing tissues against their underlying structure/s, lifting, squeezing, and releasing them. It is best to perform these manipulations in a controlled rhythmic manner without going too fast. It is usually a one-handed action in which the thumb is one component and the medial two or three fingers are the other component of the grasp on the tissues. To maintain the depth of the effect and to prevent “pinching”, the cleft between the thumb and index finger of the therapist’s hand remains in contact with the client’s skin.
How to do the lifting massage technique:
- Lie the recipient down on a sturdy, semi-hard surface. A mattress will do just fine
- Rest the recipient’s feet firmly on the surface or alternately have them rest their calf on your thigh while you sit beside them.
- Gently glide your hands above and below the knee of the recipient while applying peppermint or eucalyptus oil to your hands
- Gently squeeze the area above and below the kneecap with your fingers and thumbs
- Slowly slide those areas away from the kneecap as you squeeze
- Continually squeeze the recipient and adjust the pressure as directed
- After massaging one knee for 5-10 minutes, massage the other knee
Although this is an ideal way to do the lifting massage technique, there are also other ways to do it, especially if you don’t have anyone to help you with this technique, you can also use a knee massager with heat and compression.
Cross-friction massage technique
Another method to alleviate knee pain is cross-relief massage. Therapists frequently apply cross-resistance massage to the patellar muscle under your knees.
Before you start, gently massage the legs first. You will also have to feel some stress around your knee muscles before applying pressure to them.
How to do the cross-fiction massage technique:
- Place the recipient on a mattress or other sturdy surface, so they can lie on their backs
- Stretch the recipient’s leg completely straight
- It is possible to stand or sit beside the recipient while they stretch their legs
- Put a bit of eucalyptus or peppermint oil on your hands
- Use long gliding strokes to massage the sides of the kneecap to warm it up
- Place your thumb at the side of your kneecap to begin the friction process
- Put both thumbs on the top and bottom of the knee and maintain pressure with your thumbs
- This should be repeated for 5-10 minutes varying the pressure according to the recipient’s needs
- Take the other knee and repeat
A heated cordless knee massager can also give similar results.
Quadriceps compression massage technique
The compression massage technique involves placing hands over a muscle area and pressing down on the tissues. After lifting the hands, they are moved to a different area and repeated multiple times. There is a wide range of pressure that can be applied during compressions. It is also possible to perform compressions with a slight rocking motion to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system and promote relaxation.
On the front of the thigh, there is a group of muscles called the quadriceps. The quad compression technique targets the quadriceps because the quadriceps muscles often refer to pain in the knee. Knee pain can be treated by affecting the quadriceps trigger points.
How to do the quadriceps compression massage technique:
- On a sturdy or semi-hard surface, such as a mattress, have the recipient lie on their back
- Put their legs on a flat surface
- Place your hands on the recipient’s hips while standing or kneeling beside them
- Use a kneading technique to massage the quadriceps muscles. Kneading involves gently lifting and releasing the skin and muscles between your thumbs and fingers as if you were kneading dough
- Knead the quadriceps muscles in a circular motion all around
- Before switching to the other leg, you can apply this massage technique for 5-10 minutes
Using this knee massager can also yield the same results as the compression massage technique.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ’s)
Should you massage an arthritic knee?
Massages can help reduce the pain and inflammation caused by knee osteopathy. A weekly massage session can help reduce knee pain and stiffness and improve functional functions.
What type of massage is best for arthritis?
Any kind of massage involving moderate pressure or self-massage should relieve arthritis pain as a result. Get a massage or a knee massage device to check if the treatment works to alleviate pain or arthritis.
Is it good to massage your knee?
The benefits of knee massage numerous studies show that massaging joints can help reduce inflammation in the joints. It improves circulation and reduces swelling.
Is massage good for osteoarthritis in the knees?
Massages can improve knee osteoarthritis symptoms. In some cases weekly massage therapy will help relieve arthritis of the knee and improve function, a report says.
Why do knee massages feel good?
Even if knee pain feels bad, massage stimulates serotonin which is an effective painkilling medication that helps reduce anxiety and promote deep sleeping. Anyone with a knee or any other joint condition can benefit from a relaxing massage.