Osteoarthritis Massage Therapy For Pain Relief

By Frances Gibson


There are more than a hundred kinds of arthritis, doctors say. Osteoarthritis is regarded as one of the most common of them all. So many people can suffer from it, ranging from athletes to the elderly. Because osteoarthritis can cause severe aching of the affected joints, those who have it tend to look for ways to deal with the symptoms effectively. Undergoing massage therapy for pain relief is something that a lot of osteoarthritis sufferers benefit from.

In a nutshell, osteoarthritis is damage to the cartilage found in a joint. It is the cartilage that enables the joint to move effortlessly each time. Damage to the cartilage can definitely cause unnecessary problems especially during the carrying out of physical activities.

One reason why osteoarthritis develops is aging. Movement of the joint over a long period of time can gradually wreak havoc on the cartilage. This is the reason why so many people who are 60 years old and above report that they experience osteoarthritis symptoms.

However, it's also possible for an individual who is 20, 30 or 40 years old to end up with osteoarthritis, too. Meaning to say, it is a joint problem that's not limited to seniors. A person who loves sports may suffer from it after an injury to his or her joint. Somebody whose work entails manual labor and overuse of certain joints may also wind up with osteoarthritis.

One thing is for sure regardless of what the cause may be, and that is you are going to encounter pain if you do suffer from osteoarthritis. You're likely to experience swelling, too. The affected joint may also become stiff upon waking up in the morning or after maintaining a body position for a while.

There are so many painkillers available for people who are bugged by osteoarthritis. Some of them are sold over the counter while others are prescribed by doctors. No matter the case, constantly taking these drugs is not a really a good idea. That's because they are known to come with an assortment of side effects. Some really common ones include stomachache, dizziness, nausea and ringing in the ears, which is referred to by doctors as tinnitus.

Some painkilling drugs may also cause stomach ulcers, throat swelling, high blood pressure, and kidney or liver damage. According to health experts, the side effects and risks tend to worsen the higher the dosage taken. Administering painkillers for several days may also cause more harm than good.

This is why a lot of individuals who are afflicted with osteoarthritis search for different approaches for the management of the symptoms. Some tried and tested effective home remedies are elevation, rest and ice compresses. Having massages is something that many prefer.

Massages provide impressive results as they help optimize circulation of blood to the affected joint. Such increases oxygen and nutrient supply, thus promoting cartilage healing. What's more, they assist in removing toxins and waste products from areas that are inflamed and aching. By means of massages, attaining much needed relief from the unfavorable symptoms of osteoarthritis is possible minus the intake of painkilling medications.




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