Massage for arthritis: benefits and contraindications, general rules and nuances of the procedure for rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives of massage for arthrosis

For arthrosis, massage performs several functions:

• relieves pain, allows a person to reduce the amount of drugs taken orally;
• has an anti-inflammatory and absorbable effect, which is important if arthrosis is accompanied by accumulation of fluid in the joint cavity;
• improves metabolism in periarticular tissues, accelerates recovery processes in damaged cartilage;
• strengthens the periarticular muscles, prevents further damage to cartilage.

No. 1. For arthrosis, do they massage the damaged joint directly?

First of all, the affected areas are kneaded, but local exposure is not enough to treat arthrosis of the shoulder, elbow, knee or other joint. With this disease, it is important to comprehensively work out all the muscles in the following sequence: vertebrae from upper to lower, femoral area, knees, legs, feet. Of course, this is the task of a specialist, so you need to go to such sessions on the recommendation of a doctor, and not very often. At home, it is enough to massage the damaged joint using a certain technology.

General massage sessions are useful for arthrosis of any joints

Stages of chronic arthritis

Doctors distinguish 3 (less often 4) stages of chronic arthritis. The disease is best controlled at the 1st stage, when changes in cartilage tissue are still reversible. The disease is also sensitive to therapy at stage 2; whereas the latter requires continuous treatment with heavy drugs.

Stage 1 of chronic arthritis

Regardless of the cause of chronic arthritis, in stage 1, treatment helps maintain the integrity of synovial cartilage. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations and genetically determined luck, even complete regeneration is possible while maintaining 100% of the range of motion in the joint.

At this stage, chronic arthritis often goes undetected, so it is extremely important to pay attention to such “minor” symptoms as:

• discomfort in the periarticular area after physical activity;
• feeling of tension in the muscles;
• reaction of joints to weather changes;
• increased fatigue;
• mild pain.

Stage 2 chronic arthritis

Like other chronic diseases, grade 2 arthritis is characterized by an increase in symptoms, primarily pain in the joint. Added to them:

• swelling;
• local increase in temperature and redness of the skin over the joint;
• decrease in muscle mass and weight of the patient;
• feeling of chronic fatigue;
• discomfort even at rest.

Stage 3 chronic arthritis

At this stage, the patient experiences disability. The joint is deformed, and the mechanics of its movement are disrupted. The 3rd stage of chronic arthritis is characterized by stiffness of the joint up to its complete immobility, as well as acute and painful pain that does not leave the patient day or night. How to cure chronic arthritis in this case? Your doctor may recommend surgery with full or partial joint replacement. As a rule, treatment is accompanied by the use of antidepressants, which help the patient fight chronic depression due to continuous pain and dependence on the help of others.

To determine the stage and decide how to treat chronic arthritis, the following research methods are used:

• oral interview with the patient, initial examination (including palpation) and medical history;
• fluoroscopy;
• general blood test (to determine the exact cause of arthritis), rheumatic factor analysis;
• Ultrasound examination (ultrasound of the joint).
• arthroscopy (minimally invasive intervention).

No. 3. What is foot massage and why is it prescribed for arthrosis of other joints?

During the treatment of osteoarthritis, it is important to support the body, help it recover, and activate its defenses. One way is foot massage, which you can do yourself. There are areas on the feet associated with internal organs. With proper pressure on them, you can improve the functioning of various body systems, activate blood flow and metabolism, which will have a beneficial effect on the condition of joints and cartilage tissue.

Foot massage can be performed at any age

Medicines for chronic arthritis

To prevent chronic arthritis of the joints from progressing and exacerbating, it is important to take chondroprotectors and vitamin-mineral complexes. And if the disease has already reached a new stage, a rheumatologist or orthopedist selects anti-inflammatory, painkillers, antispasmodics and other drugs.

Chondroprotectors for chronic arthritis

Taking chondroprotectors requires consistency from the patient, since the course cannot be interrupted. The duration of the course reaches 150 days per year. A visible effect, subject to the doctor’s recommendations, occurs when taking the drugs from 3 months to several years.

For the purpose of prevention, chondroprotectors for joints are used twice a year, in courses of 1.5-2 months. The treatment course usually takes from 12 to 24 weeks, then, after a break of 10-12 weeks, it must be repeated. Depending on the dynamics of the disease, treatment can take 3-5 years, or can be carried out for life.

Chondroprotectors include: artracam, alflutop, protecon, movalis, teraflex, chondroitin complex, structum, dona, elbona and others.

Anti-inflammatory drugs for chronic arthritis

Unlike chondroprotectors, non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are aimed not at the causes, but at the symptoms of the disease. Their task is to reduce discomfort for the patient, relieve pain and inflammation, improve mobility in the joint and create conditions for normal metabolism. By solving several problems at once, these drugs compare favorably with simple analgesics, which only mask pain.

However, they must be taken in courses, in strict accordance with the doctor’s instructions. Uncontrolled use of anti-inflammatory drugs without supportive therapy for the stomach can lead to gastritis, ulcers and other diseases of the digestive system. And self-medicated corticosteroids are fraught with hormonal imbalance, rapid weight gain, skin problems and blood pressure.

The most popular NSAIDs: meloxicam (arthrozan), ortofen, diclofenac, nurofen, ibuprofen, nimesil, ketoprofen, dollit, voltaren, finalgon, ketonal, fastum, celecoxib, lornoxicam, ketorolac. They are produced in the form of injections, ointments and tablets.

Glucocorticoids: hydrocortisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone (diprospan), dexamethasone.

Antispasmodics, muscle relaxants and others

Constant tension and spasms disrupt blood circulation in the periarticular area, causing muscle atrophy and discomfort. Therefore, as an auxiliary therapy for chronic arthritis, patients are prescribed antispasmodics: no-shpa (drotaverine), spasmalgon, papaverine, Novigan, Nimbex, Listenone, Sirdalud, baclofen.

It is advisable to supplement them with angioprotective agents (to protect blood vessels). These are: pentoxifylline (trental), troxerutin, detralex, actovegin.

If the cause of chronic arthritis is rheumatoid arthritis, specific immunosuppressive therapy is used, which includes methotrexate, azathioprine, leflunomide or sulfasalazine.

No. 4. Why is massage prescribed for arthrosis? How is it useful?

Therapeutic massage for gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis or arthrosis of other large joints performs many functions. With its help, spasms of nerve endings and muscles are relieved, because pain often occurs as a result of pinching. Regular massage movements restore strength and elasticity of the muscles around damaged joints. During the kneading process, blood circulation is stimulated - cartilage tissue receives oxygen and nutrients and is better restored. The effect of chondroprotectors and other medications is enhanced.

Exercises for lesions of the shoulder girdle

During exercises, it is very important to maintain the correct breathing rhythm

1. Raise and lower your shoulders, make circular movements forward and backward.

2. Place your palms on your shoulders, alternately bringing your elbows forward.

3. Clasp your elbows with your palms and raise and lower them.

4. Lying on your back, bend, raise and lower your straightened arms.

5. Place your hands on your belt and alternately place them behind your head.

6. Hug yourself.

No. 5. How long should a massage session last for arthrosis?

It depends on the affected area and technique. The duration of the session can range from several minutes to two hours. At this time, the massage therapist uses methods such as rubbing, kneading, stroking, vibration, etc. If there is no pain or discomfort, the effect can be very long. The main thing is to achieve a relaxing effect, because the main purpose of massage is to relieve pain.

With the help of massage you can temporarily get rid of pain in the knee joint. A specialist tells and shows how to do this:

Nuances of self-massage

Self-massage is complicated by inaccessibility to certain parts of the body

Since massage procedures can bring not only benefits, but also harm, they should only be performed by a specialist.

If it is impossible to resort to the services of a professional, self-massage is possible. These techniques are easy to learn and can be performed at any time convenient for the patient. But at the same time, some disadvantages of self-massage should be taken into account:

• the inability to fully relax muscles, which reduces the effectiveness of such procedures;
• inaccessibility of some parts of the body (for example, massage for arthritis of the shoulder joint cannot be performed correctly on your own);
• contraindications in the form of heart, liver and kidney diseases;
• If procedures are performed incorrectly, complications may occur.

It should be understood that the correct self-massage technique should be shown by a specialist, based on the patient’s deviations. But there are several general recommendations for performing such procedures:

1. If pain occurs when performing self-massage, the procedures should be stopped immediately.
2. The massage should be performed with rhythmic movements. However, they should not be harsh.
3. If the procedure is performed correctly, a feeling of warmth appears in the treated area.
4. Massage for arthritis of the knee joint begins with the hips, smoothly going down. Only after thorough treatment of the surrounding areas can you proceed to direct massage of the affected joint.
5. The duration of exposure is determined by the size of the joint. For example, to massage the hands for arthritis, a three-minute treatment will be sufficient, while a knee massage may require about 20 minutes.
6. When performing exercises, you need to take into account the direction of lymph flow. The direction of massage movements should be towards the nearest lymph nodes. However, massaging the lymph nodes themselves is prohibited.
7. Self-massage should not be performed during exacerbations of chronic diseases and bleeding. If there are ulcers and lesions on the skin, then performing the procedure is also unacceptable.
8. The use of creams and gels, the features of which can increase the effectiveness of the massage, is permitted.

No. 6. Do children receive therapeutic massage?

In childhood, massage, as a rule, has different goals than in adults diagnosed with arthrosis. This pathology is rare in children. Therefore, they are prescribed massage courses to strengthen the musculoskeletal system, increase muscle tone and improve blood circulation. In the case of children, only delicate practices are used - stroking, rubbing, kneading, etc.

If there are pathologies, the doctor prescribes a special children's massage, including in the treatment of arthrosis in a child. Much more often, massage is practiced in children in infancy, with umbilical hernia, colic, muscle wasting and other pathologies. To prevent recurrent diseases, corrective massage is prescribed. And in order to strengthen the child’s health and increase immunity, it is preventive.

In children, massage has more preventive rather than therapeutic purposes.

Causes of chronic arthritis

Many factors indirectly contribute to the disease of chronic arthritis:

• bad habits;
• uncomfortable workplace;
• unbalanced or insufficient nutrition;
• overheating, hypothermia, sunstroke;
• presence of allergies;
• wearing uncomfortable clothes;
• age over 45 years;
• other factors affecting immunity and joint health.

There are also pathologies that trigger the inflammatory process in combination with the factors already mentioned: Chronic disease - arthritis - is provoked by:

• Diseases resulting from degenerative-dystrophic and other joint lesions. For example, osteochondrosis, osteoarthritis, spondylosis, vertebral hernia, spinal stenosis, kyphosis, scoliosis, protrusions, facet syndrome, lumbosacral radiculitis, lumbago, hormonal spondylopathies.
• Autoimmune diseases. In particular, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis.
• Inflammatory diseases. Spondyloarthropathy, incl. psoriatic and reactive arthritis.
• Traumatic lesions. Spondylolisthesis, muscle and ligament injuries, bruises, dislocations, subluxations and fractures.
• Infections. Osteomyelitis, tuberculous spondylitis, gastrointestinal and genitourinary infections - especially those left without proper treatment.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Professional loads on joints (including when working with vibrating tools).
• Hormonal changes in the body during the postmenopausal period in men and women.
• Overweight.

Chronic arthritis can also be caused by mental and psychological problems. Depression, anxiety and other psycho-emotional spectrum disorders can cause joint pain and weaken the body’s overall resistance.

No. 9. How is massage performed for coxarthrosis?

Massage for arthrosis of the hip joint is performed in a lying position on the stomach, side or back. The muscles should be as relaxed as possible. They start with light, shallow techniques - stroking the upper part of the buttocks and lumbar region, then squeezing with the edge of the palm and kneading around the hip joint. The force of pressure in the massaged area increases gradually. If the pain is not severe, rub around the joint, dotted and circular. The complex is repeated 2-3 times and ends with shaking and stroking.

The duration of a massage session for coxarthrosis is 8-10 minutes

The need for the procedure. Indications

Patients with joint arthritis experience symptoms such as pain, stiffness, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility. Long-term research shows that physical methods of combating the disease in many cases are quite effective. This technique is also a knee massage. Indications for the use of this method of treating degenerative pathology:

• improvement of the general condition of the patient;
• absence of infectious diseases;
• relief of pain.

The procedure is prescribed by the attending doctor. The effectiveness of therapy primarily depends on the timeliness of implementation of the treatment method. At the initial stage of development of degenerative-dystrophic pathology, it is enough for the patient to attend 5 massage sessions. If the disease is chronic, up to 15 sessions will be required, in some cases more. The number of procedures performed is determined by the massage therapist, it depends on how effectively the massage works on the arthritic knee. One treatment session takes at least 20 minutes. Treatment of the affected joint in this way is possible during pregnancy.

If the doctor himself has not suggested this method of therapy, the patient should inquire about the possibility of massage for his illness. The treatment procedure allows you to achieve a positive result faster if you start it from the first days of general therapy for arthritis.

No. 10. What is the technique for massaging the knee joint for arthrosis?

The massage begins with the thigh muscles, using the following techniques - stroking, squeezing with the edge of the palm and the ridges of the fists, shaking. Directly on the joint, concentric or circular stroking is used along the lateral areas, and then straight-line rubbing. Then they massage the thigh again and return to the knee. At the end, perform careful movements of the joints - flexion and extension, rotation of the shin. You can increase the effect of the massage if you perform it in warm water.

Modern medicine has many physiotherapeutic methods that can be used to reduce pain and improve general condition. Unfortunately, physiotherapy for arthrosis only acts symptomatically. Therefore, if the doctor insists on other methods, for example, recommends a course of intra-articular injections of Noltrex to replenish the deficiency of synovial fluid, you should not refuse.

Performing a massage: basic recommendations

To massage the knees, the joints should be prepared, that is, warmed up. This is achieved by different methods:

• therapeutic gymnastic exercises;
• hot shower jets;
• warm bath.

It is possible to practice water warming, but it is not recommended to get carried away with it, as there is a risk of aggravating the inflammation of the diseased organ.

To obtain a lasting effect, massage of the knee joint is performed daily for a long time (several months). You can (and should) do it yourself, especially after operations, injuries, endoprosthetics, but you must first learn the correct technique. Skills and individual recommendations will be provided by a chiropractor who will conduct several training/health sessions.

The procedure requires preliminary moisturizing of the skin in the massaged area:

• oil for massage;
• baby cream;
• medicinal ointment prescribed by the attending physician.

All manipulations when massaging the knee joint are performed exclusively along the lymph flow. The patient should not have a feeling of discomfort, pain, burning or other unpleasant symptoms.