Arthritis is a common condition that affects people as we age. It is an "umbrella" term to describe a group of degenerative conditions that affects the joints of the body. It is primarily caused by inflammation in one or more joints on the body. There are two main types of arthritis:
Osteoarthritis: the body's natural inflammatory response to repetitive movement and pressure on the joint.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: is an autoimmune disorder which is identified by inflammation and destruction of the joint.
For this article, we will be focusing on osteoarthritis
In healthy tissues, the cartilage can compress and release when load is placed on the joint and it can retain the original shape. Muscles and other soft tissues surrounding the joint also act as shock absorbers as they help control the fluidity of the movement. This helps to protect the cartilage. The sections of cartilage that act as load-bearers break down and as a result, the body will initiate the inflammatory response to help heal itself. The main issue with this is that the cartilage is avascular (meaning there are no blood vessels). This causes the cartilage to become thick. This stage can last a very long time and you may not be aware that it is happening as there is usually no pain associated with it. As the resources become depleted and the cartilage continues to wear down, it becomes thinner, which can expose the bone in the joint, reducing it's protection, The bone surface becomes thick and polished in the later stages and the joint space diminishes which can restrict movement of the joint as well as cause pain. The muscles surrounding the joint also stiffen to help protect the joint from further damage.
The causes of arthritis varies, but can include altered body mechanics (such as asymmetric leg length or hip dislocation), lack of movement (reduced the blood flow to the joint), trauma (fracture, overuse) and certain underlying conditions.
Massage can be very helpful for this suffering from osteoarthritis pain. The treatment would initially address swelling and inflammation by using lymphatic drainage techniques. Once the swelling is reduced, the massage can target the muscle stiffness surrounding the joint. By addressing any trigger points or muscle spasm to help with the ease of movement. Light joint mobilizations can help improve the function of the joint to help increase the pain free range with movement. Home care also plays a key part in this process as well. If there is a flare up, cool hydrotherapy (such as a cool cloth or cold pack) can be applied. Gentle heat can be applied to help to reduce muscle stiffness and/or spasm. Activities that cause discomfort should be either avoided or modified to help keep the pain under control. Gentle exercises (specific to each case) can be helpful to promote healthy function of the joint and soft tissues in between treatment. Finally referral to other health practitioners would also be very helpful to address other underlying issues. Such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, naturopathic and/or medical doctors, or other professions can assist with managing these arthritis symptoms.
Although this condition is very common, it can be easily managed. Help keep your body moving pain-free is the ideal goal! Thank you for taking the time to stop by today and I hope you have a great day! Reference:
Rattray, F. S., & Ludwig, L. (2019). Clinical massage therapy: Understanding, assessing and treating over 70 conditions. Brantford, Ontario: W. Ross MacDonald School Resource Services Library.
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