Massage for arthrosis of the knee joint at home. Massage for arthrosis of the knee joint: correct execution, contraindications

A frank interview with a German rheumatologist after working in Russia for Russia Today

Dr. Klaus Maier

Head of the Department of Joint Surgery at the Clinic for Traumatology, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Bonn

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“Russian medicine is a mystery to me. They treat joints for years instead of 3 weeks and reject new effective remedies!” Click the “Read interview” button

Anatomy of the knee joint

The knee includes:

lower end of the femur;
upper end of the tibia;
a large sesamoid bone that performs a protective function - the patella.

The joint has six synovial bursae - cavities filled with a special fluid called synovium, which has high shock-absorbing properties. Bags are necessary to isolate rubbing parts. During a therapeutic massage of a sore knee joint, by influencing the nerve endings, the massage therapist improves local blood flow. Thanks to this, the nutrients necessary for the production of synovium enter the joint. Another important component that helps cushion and stabilize the entire joint is the menisci - cartilage pads. They are located on the inside and outside of the knee. All osteochondral structures are held together by the ligamentous apparatus. It is the ligaments (in second place are the menisci) that are the most traumatic place. In total there are three groups:

intra-articular - cruciform and transverse;
lateral - tibia and fibula, from the side of the bones of the same name;
posterior - arcuate, popliteal, medial and lateral.

If you have a ligament injury, therapeutic knee massage can help reduce swelling and pain. The duration of the manipulation should not exceed 15-20 minutes. In case of severe sensitivity or discomfort, be sure to take breaks. Therapeutic massage for injuries to the menisci of the knee joint is used in the early postoperative period. It allows you to start regenerative processes, improve blood circulation, reduce the severity of inflammation and quickly restore the function of the lower limb.

The essence of the problem

At its core, arthrosis of the knee joint or gonarthrosis is a chronic disease of a degenerative-dystrophic nature that affects the cartilage layer and other articular elements. This pathology is manifested by characteristic symptoms: intense pain, crunching when moving, swelling in the knee area. If treatment measures are not taken, the progression of the disease leads to limited movement in the knee joint, up to its complete immobilization.

For gonarthrosis, depending on the severity of the disease, complex treatment is carried out, including drug therapy, physiotherapy and various other technologies. Knee joint massage for arthrosis is considered an important step in such complex therapy. This procedure, of course, cannot restore damaged tissue, but it can normalize the functions of the joint.

Numerous studies confirm the positive effects of therapeutic massage for gonarthrosis. First of all, there is a normalization of lymphatic outflow, draining lymph that has stagnated as a result of chronic inflammatory processes. Shock absorption functions are restored as a result of improving the elasticity of cartilage tissue and stabilizing intra-articular fluid.

The following positive results achieved by massage are highlighted:

Arrests of doctors: rheumatologists deprived patients of the most effective remedy for joint pain!

Bubnovsky Sergey Mikhailovich

leading rheumatologist of the country, deputy. Chairman, 1st Deputy Director of the Federal State Budgetary Institution NIIR named after. V. A. Nasonova

Find out more...

What is happening is what our law enforcement agencies should have done a long time ago - arrest this entire mafia. Just think about these numbers - more than 1 million crippled lives in 12 years! People, most of them pensioners, turned to doctors for help. And instead of treating, they profited from people’s suffering, knowing in advance that the remedies they prescribed would not help. And this practice was widespread not only in commercial ones, but also, worst of all, in public clinics.

analgesic effect;
muscle relaxation around the affected joint;
eliminating joint stiffness and improving its mobility;
normalization of blood supply, which stimulates regeneration processes;
removing toxins that contribute to swelling.

Massage is most effective in the initial stages of the disease, when the damage is not yet irreversible. However, even at subsequent stages, its implementation can significantly alleviate the condition of the sick person.

Features of massage for arthrosis

Our orthopedists resort to manual therapy methods to treat arthrosis, thanks to the following positive effects:

pain relief;
increased range of motion and mobility in joints;
elimination of muscle spasticity.

However, it should be noted that, despite all the positive effects of massage, the treatment gives good results in mild and moderate stages of arthrosis development. In the later stages of the disease, massage treatment is ineffective, and in some cases even contraindicated. The number of massage sessions can include from 5 to 20 procedures, depending on the stage of the disease and its severity. When treating arthrosis, we use two main massage techniques:

Manipulation.
Mobilizations.

The essence of the manipulation technique involves the doctor performing sharp movements in the joint, the purpose of which is to correct the deformity in the joint. An important point during the manipulation is the absence of pain in the patient. The technique is effective and brings positive results after the first sessions.

The mobilization technique involves gradual stretching of the bones. Mobilization usually precedes manipulation. This technique allows you to significantly increase the range of motion in the joints, in addition, the processes of restoration of cartilage tissue are launched. This technique is safe and painless for the patient.

The specialists of our clinic know all the latest massage techniques for the treatment of arthrosis and, if there are appropriate indications, provide this type of assistance to our patients.

Massage for knees with gonarthrosis

Massage is a set of therapeutic techniques with which a master helps a person through dosed effects on the body with a variety of mechanical movements. In the case of gonarthrosis, mechanical movements should be gentle and not cause pain to the patient. The massage technique for gonarthrosis of the knee joint depends on the degree of development of the disease and on the patient’s well-being.

Massage movements:

rubbing;
pressing;
creating vibration;
touching the surface of the knee with hands or special massage devices.

Using competent techniques, the massage therapist relaxes the tissues around the injured knee, touches the tendons, and restores their functionality. The professional term is “reception power.” The pressure exerted by the massage therapist on the surface of the leg. Here we discuss deep and small massage for gonarthrosis. Deep is done with great effort, which causes inhibition to develop, damaged tissues to relax, and blood flow to them increases.

Massage with low force is a superficial technique that stimulates and excites articular and periarticular tissues, bringing them into a state of active action. Massages of varying strengths are performed at different degrees of development of gonarthrosis.

Treatment procedures also differ in tempo and speed of action on the massage area. Speed is checked by counting the number of massage actions of the same type that the massage therapist performs in one minute. The tempo varies between fast and slow. Fast is used to increase joint tone and increase the excitability of nerve endings. A slow massage technique is required to reduce tone, calm both the sore knee and the person himself. To improve the patient’s well-being, acupressure of the legs is performed for gonarthrosis. This is a mandatory therapeutic measure that restores blood circulation in the leg with the affected knee, improves gait, and allows you to completely abandon the cane.

It seems that the masseuse works with everyone the same way. But no. Treatments for each patient, at each stage of gonarthrosis, have their own characteristics. The massage therapist adjusts the impact on the massage area depending on the doctor’s prescriptions and the person’s general well-being.

Contraindications

Like various therapeutic measures, massage for arthrosis has contraindications. We do not recommend this procedure for the following conditions:

inflammatory and purulent processes;
osteoporosis and increased bone fragility;
malignant neoplasms;
exacerbation of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with a tendency to bleeding;
osteomyelitis;
venereal diseases;
blood diseases with a tendency to hemorrhage.

Massage rightfully takes its rightful place in the treatment of arthrosis due to its effectiveness. However, a lot depends on the qualifications of the specialist, so you need to approach the choice of a clinic carefully and responsibly, and then the result will not be long in coming.

In what cases should you resort to massage?

Massage for pain in the knee joint should be used in the following situations:

if a creaking or crunching effect occurs in the marked area;
in case of swelling;
if there is redness of the tissues near the knee joint;
with slight visual deviation of the patella.

May be interesting: Deforming arthrosis of the knee joint: symptoms, treatment of 1, 2, 3 degrees

What benefits can massage bring?

Massage for arthritis of the knee joint and other phenomena that cause pain makes it possible to eliminate the feeling of stiffness, limited mobility, and relieve discomfort that interferes with living a peaceful life. Properly performed procedures help relieve muscle atrophy, improve lymph outflow, and saturate tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

How to massage the knee joint? First you need to study the anatomical structure of the presented area. This is required because there is a complex articulation of muscles, ligaments and bone tissue here, which provides the shock-absorbing ability of this part of the body. You need to act carefully so as not to cause additional harm to health.

1.1 Indications for knee massage

In general, knee joint massage is recommended for all people, even those who do not have any diseases or prerequisites for them. But there are direct indications for its implementation.

Knee warm-up before massage

It should be done in the following cases:

For chronic pain both in the joint itself and in the cup or back of the knee. But if your leg hurts due to an acute injury, then it is better to wait a few days (for acute knee diseases or their exacerbations, massage is contraindicated).
After surgery on the legs (as a technique that restores joint mobility). For example, after arthroscopy.
In the presence of arthrosis, arthritis (including ankylosing spondylitis), gonarthrosis.
In the presence of chronic idiopathic (causeless) crunching in the knee joint.
After spraining the ligaments or muscles of the leg (preferably 3-4 days after the injury, but not earlier).
For synovitis, dysplasia, bursitis or valgus.
With partial immobilization of the knee joints (for example, due to the development of contracture due to inflammatory diseases of the lower extremities).

1.2 Lesson on knee joint massage (video)

In China, they don’t know what back or joint pain is, and they don’t see a doctor until they’re 80 years old!

Konstantin Kovalev

1.3 Does a healthy person need a knee massage?

Even healthy people who have no prerequisites for diseases of the lower extremities can benefit from massage of the knee joints. Moreover, it is recommended for people of all age groups, even infants.

Here is a list of the main beneficial effects of such procedures for a healthy person:

For the prevention of various diseases. Even if there are no prerequisites, they can appear at any moment.
Frequent preventive massage will strengthen both the ligamentous-muscular system of the knees and the joints themselves.
The procedure itself is enjoyable and relaxes your legs quite well.
You can improve the mobility of your knee joints. This is especially useful for those people who play sports. Moreover, any kind, even one that does not require running or jumping (the legs are still the support of the body, and this support must be strong).

Painful lesions in the knee joint

Accordingly, therapeutic massage is needed only for that category of people who already have any diseases of the lower extremities.

What techniques and massages should be done for arthrosis of the knee joint?

In addition to drug treatment, when diagnosed with gonarthrosis, it is necessary to carry out massage procedures. This will relieve joint pain

, will relax and reduce tension in the knee muscles. Manual procedures activate the process of lymph outflow, prevent inflammatory processes, remove compactions in tissues, improve joint mobility, and accelerate regeneration processes.

Types of massages

There are different types of manual therapy. There are 4 main types of techniques: Japanese, Russian, Swedish, Finnish.

"Shiatsu." This technique is performed pointwise, the intensity of the procedure gradually increases: first, manipulations are done with virtually no load, then it is gradually increased. This massage is quite strong, and here you need to rely not on the opinions of other people regarding the effectiveness of shiatsu, but on your own well-being. Because if manipulations bring severe discomfort, then it is better to stop doing it, as you can overdo it, and the consequences will be negative.
Russian. This method of manual therapy involves rubbing and stroking the area of the affected joint.
Swedish. This technique has similar features to Russian massage, but in addition to rubbing, it is necessary to move the affected joint.
Finnish. This procedure is performed with the thumbs, pressing and kneading the affected area of the knee.

In what cases are massage sessions contraindicated?

Before performing physical therapy to treat arthrosis of the knee joint, you need to carefully understand in which cases the procedure cannot be performed.

The main contraindications to knee massage are:

heat;
the appearance of hemorrhages;
active inflammatory process of joint disease;
thrombosis.

Naturally, physiotherapeutic procedures cannot be carried out if they cause severe pain.

Massage technique and nuances of implementation

Basic instructions and notes:

Any of the massages for treating joints
can be done at home, but only after visiting a doctor. It will be enough to watch training materials or consult with a specialist. The second option is better, since due to inexperience, beginners often cause even more harm to their body with massage.
For greater effectiveness, you need to gradually increase the intensity of massage movements, within the limits of comfortable sensations.
The damaged knee should be massaged very carefully and only from the back side. Applying direct pressure to the knee is strictly prohibited.

Step-by-step instructions for performing a manual procedure for gonarthrosis:

Everything in the human body is interconnected, so you can’t just suddenly start massaging your knee. You need to prepare and relax your back, and also stretch the muscles associated with the sore area. Therefore, first you need to massage your lower back. The consequences of arthrosis often cause a slowdown in metabolism and deterioration of blood flow in the body. Therefore, it is necessary to massage the back, as it helps restore these processes. However, the procedure must be carried out extremely carefully: manipulations must be smooth and soft, performed mainly with the tips of the fingers. You need to stretch the thigh muscles on the leg with the sore joint using stroking and squeezing movements; relax your thigh muscles by stretching and shaking your leg.
Now you can move on to the main part - directly massaging the knee joint. To do this, you need to perform the following manipulations in the specified sequence:

First, we stroke both sides of the sore area in a circle;
then thoroughly rub the knee;
briefly massage the thigh muscles;
Next, we develop the mobility of the knee joint, very carefully bending and unbending it;
continue to develop mobility, rotate the lower leg;
knead the femoral muscle with massaging movements;
and finally rub the affected joint with your fingertips.

The last manipulation is the final relaxation of the adjacent muscles. To do this, shake and stroke the leg.

Honey massage and its benefits

Honey is a universal traditional medicine; it has many beneficial properties: it reduces inflammation, speeds up metabolism, is rich in vitamins, etc. Honey has a positive effect not only when taken orally, but also as a rub.

Rubbing with honey is an extremely simple procedure. You just need to melt a tablespoon of honey in a water bath and rub it into the sore knee for 15-20 minutes. And after finishing the massage, wrap the joint with a warm cloth. You need to stay in this position for a couple of hours, or better yet, overnight.

However, before the procedure, you will need to steam your knee by staying in the bath or sauna for about 20 minutes, or you can apply a heating pad to the joint.

Also, when heating honey, be sure to ensure that it does not start to boil and does not overheat, since all its beneficial properties are lost.

Massage for gonarthrosis is an effective method for reducing discomfort and rehabilitating the mobility of the knee joint.
You can perform the massage yourself, but it is better to contact a specialist who will give useful advice. A physiotherapist has both experience and knowledge, but a beginner can easily make mistakes. However, if painful sensations arise during a massage, you should tell a specialist about this, and he will adjust the technique of performing massage movements, change their amplitude and strength. The physiotherapist will also advise on all concerns and explain all the nuances. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Rules and features of massage

Massage procedures for gonarthrosis have their own characteristics. Therapeutic massage differs significantly from regular massage, which is done for relaxation. Correct technique and as careful movements as possible are important here. The therapy is designed to improve the condition of the joints, and not to worsen the situation.

General rules for knee massage for arthrosis include:

pre-warming and warming up (therapeutic exercises, hot shower, foot baths, sauna);
you need to sit down or take a lying position, depending on the type of manipulation, but always in a calm and comfortable place;
the use of special ointments, creams, oils for massage;
gentle, slow massage movements that do not cause pain or discomfort;
basic techniques - stroking, rubbing, kneading, vibration (for deforming forms, mobilization and manipulation are used);
a course of therapy consisting of 5-10 massage sessions, according to indications they can be repeated several times a year;
an integrated approach that does not exclude basic drug therapy.

It is better to entrust a massage of the knee joint to a specialist - a certified massage therapist or chiropractor. He will select a set of techniques individually and do everything correctly. If you wish, you can learn the technique of self-massage and carry out therapeutic procedures at home.

When performing a massage, it is very important to take precautions so as not to overload the joint.

Joint massage - techniques and features

Types of massage for rheumatological diseases, their benefits and techniques. Detailed descriptions of how to massage the hip, wrist, knee, shoulder, elbow and interphalangeal joints.

Joint massage is one of the effective and very popular methods of eliminating pain resulting from bursitis, arthritis, arthrosis and a number of other diseases. It must be prescribed in addition to physiotherapy, taking medications and treatment with folk remedies.

Features of joint massage

It is performed by a massage therapist with a medical education; ordinary salon procedures are contraindicated here, since they are more cosmetic than therapeutic.

Hip massage

Indications for its implementation are coxarthrosis, dysplasia in children, infectious inflammation and bone tuberculosis, bursitis, recovery from dislocations and fractures. It is excluded from therapy for hemophilia, thrombosis, gangrene, aneurysm, fever and pregnancy.

The procedure consists of two stages - preparing the hips and actually working them out; it takes from 20 to 30 minutes. The recommended course duration is about a month, and the number of sessions is from 7 to 10 every two to three days.

Regardless of the patient’s age, before performing a massage of the hip joint, the specialist should find out about his complaints before the start of the session.

The procedure for performing the massage is as follows:

The patient takes a contrast shower to cleanse the skin of sweat and wipes it with a soft towel. For a child with dysplasia, massage is indicated only after bathing.
The patient is asked to lie on his side on a couch or sit on a chair.
The doctor grasps the patient's ankle with his left hand and supports the upper thigh with his right.
Next, the problem area is stretched by bending and straightening the leg with pressure on the abdomen.
Then it may be necessary to expose the desired area of the body, after which it is covered on top with a towel. To avoid this, you should initially wear thin, non-slippery clothing.
A special cream is applied to the body in the right places to improve gliding.
In the pelvic area, to improve blood circulation in the tissues and warm them up, the specialist performs stroking movements.
The massage therapist runs his fingers near the ischial tuberosity and rubs this area with his palms.

During the process, the specialist can use the techniques of shaking and “squeezing” the limb, patting the skin with the edge of the palm, and stroking with the fingers. In the absence of severe pain, tapping, kneading, squeezing and leveling are not excluded.

Knee massage

Its purpose is to eliminate discomfort and stiffness in this area, improve knee mobility, prevent muscle atrophy, restore normal tissue nutrition and normalize blood flow. Since this area is in the patient’s access zone, massage can be done not only by a specialist, but also independently, stretching each leg for 5-10 minutes.

The procedure is based on shaking, squeezing, stroking, circular, vibrating and kneading movements. To properly perform a therapeutic massage of the joints, the doctor uses the phalanges of the fingers and palm, working either with the pads or with the ridge of the fist.

The number of knee joint massage sessions is usually at least 15 procedures, which are carried out either every day or once every 2-3 days. This should not be done if there is severe pain or open fractures.

The procedure is performed in the following order:

The patient sits on a couch or chair, and his leg, the one that will be massaged first, is placed on a pillow for stability.
The trousers are rolled up above the knee and the skin is lubricated with ointment recommended by the doctor or heated oil.
First, the limb is bent several times at a non-acute angle at a slow pace in order to warm up the muscles.
The skin, starting in the area of the knee pits, is kneaded in a circular motion with the pads of the fingers, pressing it as deep as possible, but without pain.
If the problem area is swollen, it is “squeezed” towards the groin. To do this, grab a few centimeters of tissue, pull it back and turn it to the side.
The patient bends his leg at an angle of 90 degrees, after which the massage therapist places his right hand on it closer to the foot, and his left hand closer to the stomach. As a result, a dense ring with a diameter of about 7 cm should form inside, and it is slowly and carefully squeezed with your palms, trying to gather the skin together.
The doctor faces the patient, grabs the edges of his sore leg from the outside, so that the thumbs look up, and all the rest are on the inside of the limb. Now he slowly moves them closer to the stomach, each time getting closer to the bone.

During the session, both knees are massaged in turn, even if one of them is completely healthy. The intensity of the manipulations is dosed as you move towards the menisci, and the depth is increased. You need to be especially careful when working with the area of the popliteal fossa, where veins, vessels and small arteries pass: one careless movement and they can be easily damaged.

Shoulder massage

It is performed for neurogenic pathology, arthritis, osteochondrosis, capsulitis, bursitis, injuries and sprains. This can be done only after overcoming the exacerbation and eliminating severe painful sensations.

The course should consist of 10-15 sessions, each of which usually lasts about 25 minutes. During this time, both shoulders are worked; After the procedure, the patient needs to rest for at least an hour.

The massage is carried out in several stages:

Preparation. The patient is seated on a chair and his shoulders are freed from clothing. Next, wipe the skin with a towel to remove traces of sweat. If necessary, treat the surface with anti-inflammatory ointment or massage oil. Then the doctor develops the patient’s arm, moving it behind his back and returning it to its original position. Such manipulations are repeated 5-10 times.
Massaging. The patient is asked to place his right hand with the palm of his hand on the lower back, after which the specialist gently presses the problem areas with his fingers, moving in a circle. Then the limb is extended and moved to the chest. Now the doctor places his palms on the shoulder on the side of the patient’s face and pulls it up, after which he slowly lowers it. Next, his hand is moved to the table and forcefully pressed on the joint. The same manipulations are performed with the other limb.
Completion. At the last stage, the skin is simply stroked, pinched and kneaded. All this is necessary to improve lymph outflow and normalize blood circulation, eliminate swelling. The tissues are rubbed with the fingers of both hands connected together, and at this time the thumb is placed slightly higher. His work is passive, he is only needed to fix the limb so that it glides smoothly. Then the shoulder is grabbed from below, from the side of the armpit, rotating the shoulders back and forth several times.

The massage of the shoulder joint begins with smooth, deliberate movements, and with every minute the pressure increases until it is felt in the bones. In this case, the patient should not experience a strong feeling of discomfort, much less pain. It is also important that his back is straight at this time and his shoulder blades are pulled away from his chest, but a special bend in the lower back is also not allowed.

When working in the armpit area, you need to avoid lymph nodes, trauma to which can lead to their inflammation and the appearance of seals in this area.

Ankle massage

It is recommended to do it every day for 1-2 weeks, for at least 10 minutes on each leg. It is needed to restore nutrition and blood supply to the problem area. If there has been a fracture, then after the cast is removed, at least 20 days must pass before visiting the doctor.

During the session, the patient usually lies on a couch or on his back or stomach, but sometimes a chair can be used. The latter will be more relevant when you plan to massage the joints at home on your own.

The massage therapist’s actions look something like this:

The ankle is warmed up with massage oil, which is applied, rubbed into the skin, and without waiting for it to be absorbed, the procedure begins.
If oil is not used, then keep the foot in a warm bath for several minutes, which helps prevent further possible tendon rupture and muscle strain.
Start with light stroking over the entire area, moving from the toes to the heel. Particular attention is paid to massaging the central area, in the place of the depression on the foot.
Using the pads of your fingers, press on the skin along the entire length of the foot, performing manipulations in a circle.
Next, make patting movements that need to be repeated 50-60 times.
The massage therapist grabs the foot with his hand from the outside, and leaves his thumb on the inside.
The skin between the toes is rubbed, for which they first bend to the sides one by one.

Self-massage of the ankle joint is carried out in approximately the same way as with the participation of a specialist. But in this case it is necessary to provide access to the foot, so most likely you will have to sit on a chair rather than lie down. They work through them one at a time, starting with the one that hurts the most. After this, you can keep it in warm water and put on terry socks, which will consolidate the result.

Elbow joint massage

With its help, the intensity of pain is reduced, discomfort is eliminated, muscles are strengthened, blood circulation in tissues is improved and hand mobility is increased. This method of treatment is useful for bruises, sprains, arthrosis, and arthritis.

To obtain more or less good results, 10-15 sessions are needed. The duration of each of them is within 20 minutes, taking into account massaging both elbows.

All movements during a massage of the elbow joint are performed in a bent position, the angle of inclination is about 90 degrees. In one procedure, the bursa-ligamentous apparatus, posterior, anterior and lateral surfaces are treated.

The technique includes the following manipulations:

Start from the front side, gradually moving to the right and further in a circle.
First, careful stroking with the palms is applied, requiring close contact with the skin.
After a few minutes, the back side is rubbed in a spiral in the area between the epicondyle and the olecranon.
The masseur squeezes the elbow from the sides with his thumb and forefinger, pressing hard on it with his hand and achieving maximum compression. This action is repeated 10-15 times.
Then they do the same on the inside, where access to the veins is located.
At this stage, the hand is shaken, holding directly by the joint, after which the skin is rubbed well with the palms.
Before completing the procedure, the patient's arms are bent and straightened several times at different rates. After this, a shallow rotation of the left and right forearm is performed in turn.

For convenience and to increase the effectiveness of the procedure, the hand should be suspended during a massage for joint pain. To achieve this, you need to place the hand on the table and leave the rest of the limb suspended. This cannot be done while standing while it is hanging in the air; the elbow should be as motionless as possible, but at the same time accessible to the doctor.

Massage of the wrist joint

Before massaging the joints, you need to consult a traumatologist and rheumatologist. It should not be performed in cases of recent injuries or during an exacerbation of carpal tunnel syndrome.

The easiest way to access the joint capsule is from the back and sides, where the tissue is thinner than in other places. First of all, the wrist is tightly clasped with the hand and in one movement it is moved first up and then down. Then the joint is kneaded with the thumb from the inside, without touching the veins. Next, apply stroking circular movements, after which they move on to rubbing the skin.

After massaging the wrist joint, each massaged arm is fully flexed 10 times. The patient is also asked to twist his hands to the sides, first to the right and then to the left. The procedure is completed by pressing the surface with the index and middle fingers towards the nails.

The massage is performed on a special table where the forearm is initially placed. At this time, the hand is slightly bent and hanging in the air, which allows the specialist to quickly penetrate the joint space. To do this, he uses his fingertips and palms. One session lasts about 20 minutes, during which time both wrists are worked.

Massage of interphalangeal joints

It is enough to devote 5-7 minutes to it every day. At this time, the phalanges are bent back and forth in turn, starting with the big finger and moving towards the little finger. Then they are pressed with the fingertips, covering 1 cm at a time. Next, the patient is asked to clench them into a fist, after which the palm is covered on top and pressed on the surface for several seconds. The same manipulations are performed with the other limb.

Self-massage of the finger joints is also considered quite effective. It involves the touching of the fingers and their mutual pressure on each other. As a result, their pads should deviate slightly towards the outside of the hand. During this time, slight discomfort may occur, which is completely normal.

General recommendations for performing joint massage

Any strong pressure can lead to disruption of the integrity of the veins and internal hemorrhage. Therefore, all movements must be slow, smooth and careful; sudden jerks are strictly contraindicated. It is also important that the specialist’s hands are clean, otherwise if there is any damage on the surface, an infection can easily occur. It is allowed to involve palms, fingers, and fists in the process.

It is important to follow the following recommendations when performing joint massage:

Before starting the session, it is advisable to do therapeutic exercises for several minutes. This will allow you to properly prepare your joints for physical impact and avoid rupture of ligaments and tendons and muscle strain.
If there is no time to warm up, you will have to replace it with a warm bath or a contrast shower. You should not use too hot water, as it can aggravate the situation.
To obtain lasting results, it is not recommended to take too long breaks between sessions - it is advisable to massage every day or every other day. The minimum number of procedures is about 10; the more complex the condition, the more are needed.
The simultaneous combination of the work of a chiropractor and a massage therapist is considered effective. Therefore, it is best to contact a universal specialist who has two such diplomas at once.
In most cases, when massaging problem areas, they need to be rubbed with a medicinal ointment, special oil or cream. Thus, improving blood circulation, normalizing tissue nutrition and eliminating inflammation will occur faster. All movements should be performed exclusively towards the lymphatic vessels.
During the session, the patient should not experience severe pain, burning or tingling. If such complaints arise, then it must be interrupted immediately.

Proper treatment of joints with massage largely determines the speed of their recovery after illness or injury. Without it, it will indeed be very difficult to return to a normal lifestyle, and that is why it is one of the key procedures in this type of therapy.

Classic procedure scheme and its features

The main technique used in medical institutions is classical. The session consists of 3 stages:

Preparation. The patient assumes a relaxed position. Massaging begins from the lower spine with a gradual transition to the hip area. The muscles are rubbed and warmed up, prepared for further exposure.
Main stage. The therapist moves to the area of the sore knee. Using rubbing, the lateral parts of the joint are worked out. The knee is alternately bent and extended, and rotational movements are performed with a small amplitude. The kneecap does not receive direct impact. This avoids pain and does not provoke an inflammatory process.
The final stage. The session ends with light shaking of the knee joint and stroking.

One of the options for a classic massage is in warm water. In this case, the patient is placed in a bath of water heated to a temperature of 37°C.

During the procedure, it is important to follow the sequence of standard movements. Manipulations begin with stroking with a full palm and are completed with them. The result of each stage is warming up, optimizing blood supply, relieving tension, and stimulating lymph outflow.

Massage for arthrosis. With arthrosis of the joint, the muscles suffer the most.

Cartilage degeneration does not allow putting stress on the joint apparatus; any tension causes pain and a person is forced to provide a gentle treatment to the diseased joint. As a result of prolonged inactivity, muscle atrophy begins, known as inactivator muscle atrophy. This condition is a characteristic sign of the progression of degenerative arthrosis. Of course, muscles atrophy unevenly; the extensor muscles are most often susceptible to inactivation. Other muscles, forced to take on the work of atrophied muscles, are subject to excessive stress, hypertrophy and are in constant tension.

Joint massage provides several positive effects:

1) Increased blood circulation near the joint capsule, which means that the drugs taken are more likely to get into the affected joint, the processes of cartilage degeneration will slow down;

2) Relief of pain due to blood flow and relaxation of muscles and ligaments;

3) Improving the functioning of the muscles of the limb and eliminating their atrophy, mechanical elimination of connective tissue adhesions in muscle fibers (endomysium), normalization of muscle tone, relieving tension from hypertrophied muscles.

The main function of massage for arthrosis is to restore muscle balance. And although degenerative changes in cartilage tissue cannot be eliminated, thanks to courses of competent joint massage, it is possible to significantly slow down and completely stop the progression of arthrosis processes.

Massage of the hip joint affected by arthrosis

It is performed with the patient lying on his stomach or side. The muscles surrounding the joint should relax as much as possible. The procedure begins with the areas below and above. Classically, they begin with the use of stroking techniques (upper and lower parts of the buttock and lower back, upper third of the thigh), squeezing with the edge of the palm, kneading the hip muscles. Each technique is used 6-8 times, then proceed to circular rubbing and massaging. With each new approach, the pressure increases. Finish with the use of shaking and stroking techniques.

Types of massage

The classical technique is far from the only option for treating knee arthrosis.

In medical practice, various massage techniques and their combinations are actively used:

Japanese (shiatsu) – pressing on individual parts of the body using the palms and fingers, activates the body’s self-healing;
Finnish - kneading with the pads of the thumbs with a sequential transition from the foot to the thigh, hypertonicity and spasms of the leg muscles are relieved, the cells are saturated with oxygen;
Swedish - deep massage using strong rubbing and kneading movements aimed at eliminating compactions and improving muscle functionality;
French - a soft and gentle effect on the lymphatic vessels in order to enhance lymph flow, remove toxic substances, and nourish tissues;
acupressure (acupressure) – joints are massaged by pressing on biologically active points on the body that are responsible for the functioning of the knee joints;
vacuum - a targeted therapeutic effect on the pathological area using cups or a special vacuum apparatus, local blood circulation improves, stagnation is eliminated;
stone therapy - massage with hot stones of volcanic origin, stimulates the flow of nutrients, activates metabolic processes.

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As a result of the use of various techniques, natural tissue regeneration is accelerated, degenerative-dystrophic changes in joints are slowed down, and a general improvement of the body occurs.

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In the early stages of pathology development, the procedure can completely restore lost joint functions and enhance cartilage regeneration

Massage techniques

To understand how to massage the knee joints, you should familiarize yourself with massage techniques that are effective for this area. There are not many of them, but it is simply necessary to have theoretical and practical knowledge about them.

Movements when massaging the knee joint

The most effective massage techniques (also suitable for self-massage):

Point impact. This is pressing with your fingers on various areas around the knee joint. This technique begins with soft indentations, but over time they should become deeper. A good and affordable technique for self-massage.
Stroking the skin. Starting and finishing movement. It involves lightly stroking the skin with the palm of your hand, followed by an increase in speed and slight indentation. This technique accelerates blood circulation well.
Pinching the skin is done with the index finger and thumb. You need to start with light pinching, gradually moving to stronger ones, capturing not only the top layer of skin, but also the subcutaneous muscles.

Technique 1.

Classic massage is divided into 5 movements:

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Stroking;
Squeezing;
Trituration;
Kneading;
Vibration.

In this technique we will show only those exercises that are needed for the knees.

You can use any cream: children's, any anti-inflammatory, massage. In our case, this is Nega massage cream. The main thing is that it is a cream, not a gel. Because the gel base is quickly absorbed and does not allow us to work with massage movements.

First point: upper pole.

The patella has poles: superior, inferior, lateral. The quadriceps tendon is attached to the upper pole. Therefore, it definitely needs elaboration.

The movements should be quite rigid and should not be pleasant. You can massage with the pad of your thumb or the joints on the same finger. Don't be surprised if it hurts. We massage the point for 2-3 minutes.

Second point: lower pole.

Here the patellar ligament goes to the tibia tuberosity. You can fix your knee with one hand and massage it with the other. Also hard and with the help of your thumbs. Processing time: 2-3 minutes.

The effectiveness of your work should be judged by the redness that appears. If it is not there, the fabric does not warm up, then the massage is incorrect and ineffective.

Third point: tibia tuberosity.

The strongest muscle, the quadriceps, is attached to it. This point should be given special attention. Since diseases often occur, for example, tonsillitis. In terms of time also: 2-3 minutes.

Local movements can be changed to general ones, and you can go through the points repeatedly.

Fourth point: femurs, joint space.

The joint gap is the connection of the membrane. Here are the lateral ligaments of the patella and knee. You need to massage it with circular movements with your fingertips. We perform for 2-3 minutes.

Fifth point: fibula.

Also massaged with thumbs. We do everything from both sides. Then we move on to self-massage with the phalanges of the fingers. We do everything for 2-3 minutes.

During massage, painful places do not need to be bypassed; on the contrary, they need to be looked for, identified and massaged. If you find such a place, focus on it. Massage harder and longer.

Sixth point: mobilization of the patella.

We move it with our fingers in different directions. There should be no pain. We move it in a circle. With these movements we mobilize the patella. It can also be lifted from different sides. Do it: 2-3 minutes.

Seventh point: attachment points of the hamstrings.

We massage these points on both sides and with the pads of 4 fingers.

The posterior surface cannot be massaged, because there is a nerve, large veins and arteries, and a package of lymph nodes. We massage only the side and front.

A little trick.

Self-massage with the knee joint bent. In this position, the patellas moved down, exposing parts of the femur underneath. The condyles of this bone are very often affected. We also look for painful points. Massage them with circular movements. Our task is to remove these pains during the massage.

Massage can be performed either daily or every other day. Sessions 15-20. The main thing is consistency. If you do it once a month, it will not be effective.

Technique 2. Self-massage for knee pain.

If you have knee pain, you don’t have to do a self-massage of your legs; you can simply massage this area.

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First we warm up.

The main task: to improve microcirculation, remove spasm and restore movement.

To warm up, simply rub the knee area with your palm. You can take cream.

Working on the inside of the knee joint.

Use two thumbs to press on this area. We look for painful places and push it. Blood circulation will improve in this place and the spasm will go away.

If it is more convenient for you, then you can press your fists on this place. This will depend on the condition of your knee joint. If it hurts a lot, do a little at first. We do such movements in a circle. We do everything for about 10 minutes.

It will be painful at first, but then you will get used to it.

After working on such points, you can also apply ointment and wipe the entire knee with your palm.

Restoring movement.

Sit down, grab your leg with your hands at the bottom of your knee. Lift up from the chair. Swing your shin forward and back. Then scroll clockwise, then counterclockwise. For 10 counts.

Exercise 1 to develop the knee joint.

Take a fitness band.
We tie our leg at the ankle to the chair.
We sit on a chair so that the knee angle is 90 degrees.
We slide our feet forward, then backward.
The elastic band should not hang down, it should always be in tension.

For those who feel their knee well: you can lift your leg with your hands and do an extension. It's more complicated, but better in efficiency.

The exercise is done 10 times - 1 set, 12 times - 2 sets.

Exercise 2.

We tie an elastic band to the leg of the sofa and to the ankle.
We sit on a chair so that the knee angle is 90 degrees.
We slide our foot back, then return it to its place.
Sliding should not come from the toe, but from the heel.
Don’t relax the elastic, keep it taut.

For advanced: lift your leg with your hands and do the same movements.

The exercise is done 10 times - 1 set, 12 times - 2 sets.

Massage technique for arthrosis[edit | edit code]

Massage: for deforming arthrosis of the hip joint[edit | edit code]

For people suffering from this disease, massage is one of the main means of treatment. Its tasks: to provide analgesic, anti-inflammatory and absorbable effects, to accelerate the restoration of joint functions.

Each joint has a specific range of motion and ability to withstand compressive loads. All painful changes in the joints, regardless of the cause, lead to a reflex limitation of range of motion. All articular capsules are equipped with many sensory nerves involved in regulating tone and coordinating muscle activity. Thus, Brugger (1953), when the bursae of various joints were irritated, noted a typical irradiation of pain, which corresponded not to the course of the nerves, but to the location of the muscles associated with a given joint. The muscular fixation of diseased joints is explained in the same way. Hypertension of the corresponding muscles relieves the diseased joint from stress, and partially from pain, while atony and pain experienced in antagonistic muscle groups do not allow painful movements to be performed.

Deforming arthrosis, which refers to the entire set of chronically degenerative processes of various etiologies in cartilage, is accompanied by particularly pronounced and noticeable changes in the muscles. X-ray allows one to observe various consequences of cartilage degeneration: narrowing of the joint space, i.e. disappearance of articular cartilage, sclerotization of the subchondral parts of the bone, reactive bone growths at the joint border, deformation of the working surfaces and, finally, light “bubbles” - the result of the destruction of subchondral tissue in the cancellous bone under the action of a compressive load.

Such morphological changes inevitably lead to a decrease in joint performance. The ability to withstand a compressive load and range of motion decrease, and the volume of muscles, primarily extensor muscles, also decreases: for example, with knee arthrosis, atrophy of the quadriceps muscle is observed, and with arthrosis of the hip joint, atrophy of the gluteal muscle is observed. Therefore, during massage, the main time should be devoted to these muscles.

However, it would be wrong to think that muscle disorders occur only at advanced stages of arthrosis, when the performance of the joints is reduced. Arthrosis is the last, anatomically irreversible stage of cartilage degeneration that has been developing for a long time. Regardless of whether the reasons for this are age, excessive load on the joints due to obesity, overwork, disturbances of anatomical statics, or secretory disorders, or, finally, previous infectious arthritis, arthrosis usually develops without a pronounced clinical picture. The body compensates for minor movement disorders on its own, and a person, as a rule, ignores episodic pain.

The person continues to use the diseased joint without releasing it from the compressive load. The reflex limitation of movement, of course, provides the joint with more or less painless activity, but the compressive load is distributed over a very small area of the working surface of the cartilage.

Cartilage degeneration reduces the ability of the joint to withstand compressive loads, the load becomes painful and, as a result, the joint is created in a gentle mode. As a result of prolonged inactivity of the joint, inactivator muscle atrophy develops. It is a characteristic sign of progressive arthrosis. However, muscles atrophy unevenly: extensor muscles are more often and more severely affected by atrophy.

Atrophy has especially severe consequences for the muscles of the joints of the lower extremities, which are generally more susceptible to degeneration than the joints of the arms, because they have to bear the entire weight of the body.

Deforming arthrosis

- a typical example of a combination of hypertension - hypertrophy of some muscles and hypotension, atrophy or even degeneration of others. This phenomenon is especially noticeable with arthrosis of the hip joint, because it is this joint that has the greatest mobility in a healthy person. Arthrosis changes in this joint are accompanied by a noticeable limitation of mobility and the appearance of characteristic abnormal positions of the limb. Finally, during the deforming development of the femoral head and acetabulum, only a few working movements remain from the entire initially specified range of motion. In the still active muscles, hypertrophy develops, myogelosis and hardening appear, while the muscles excluded from the general load atrophy, hypotension develops in them, and with prolonged absence of treatment, degeneration occurs, i.e., transformation into adipose or connective tissue.

In case of joint irritations, the muscles are massaged, the tone of which (reflexively) is changed as a result of exposure to irradiating nerve irritations. Massage that causes stretching of muscle spindles leads to normalization of the tone of the affected muscle (effect on muscle fibers). At the same time, irritation of the autonomic nerves located in the walls of blood vessels gives a segmental effect of improving blood circulation (vascular effect). This effect also extends to the diseased joint, causing a decrease in its excitability (reduction of pain in the joint capsule), due to which the pathological irradiation of irritation stops.

For arthrosis, massage is prescribed to eliminate muscle atrophy. Muscle massage has a triple effect on altered muscles.

Massage (using kneading and squeezing techniques) changes the shape of the muscles and mechanically destroys the adhesions of intramuscular connective tissue (endomysium) that arise from prolonged inactivity.
Massage stretches the muscle, and this is the most adequate irritation for the sensitive receptors of the muscle spindles, which come into a state of excitement. There is a normalization of muscle tone, a reflex increase, and the ability for voluntary innervation (“warming up”) is restored.
Increased blood circulation in the atrophied muscle (local vascular effect) creates the prerequisites for restoring the normal metabolic process.

This triple effect of massage creates the necessary condition for strengthening the muscles, which can only be achieved in the future only by contraction exercises.

By improving the blood supply to the arthritic joint, the irradiation of pain stops, leading to a decrease in muscle tone. Increasing the blood supply to the joint capsule prevents the development of degenerative processes in the connective tissue structure of the capsule, while at the same time improving the conditions for cartilage trophism, carried out through the place of attachment of the capsule.

So, with deforming arthrosis, massage returns the atrophic-atonic muscles the ability to perform work and inhibits the development of degenerative processes in cartilage and in the joint capsule. In addition, massage - if carried out successfully - allows you to relieve interfering (reflex) hypertension of antagonistic muscles. Thus, thanks to massage and exercises aimed at eliminating muscle atrophy, impaired muscle balance is restored. Although the existing degenerative changes cannot be eliminated, arthrosis will not progress. This positive effect appears only after a long course of treatment (massage). Still, the arthritic joint remains a place of reduced resistance, and since relapses of joint irritation conditions are possible, regular courses are required. Rehabilitation is possible only in close connection with subsequent prevention!

Treatment of joint disorders will be incomplete if the accompanying complex disorders are not eliminated. As already mentioned, the lack of mobility of a limb with a diseased joint is compensated by the efforts of other joints. The muscles of the latter often show signs of overload or improper loading, which in itself is a violation of their proper functioning. Therefore, these muscles need to be given an intensive preventive massage.

If it is not possible to restore full range of motion, the goal of treatment should be to train the compensating muscles so that they can cope with this additional load without overexertion.

Massage on the hip joint is performed while lying on the stomach, and, if necessary, on the side or on the back; the muscles surrounding the joint should be extremely relaxed. If you are concerned about severe pain in the joint, begin massage from the areas above and below, using light, shallow techniques: stroking the upper part of the buttock and lumbar region (8-10 times); the same on the lower part of the buttock and the upper third of the thigh; squeezing with the edge of the palm or the base of the palm (4-5 times), kneading the muscles around the hip joint. First - with the base of the palm (5 - 6 times), then - in a circular manner with the pads of four fingers (3 - 4 times), with the fingers spread apart, and rotation done towards the little finger. With each subsequent rubbing, the pressure in the massaged area increases, but should not be brought to the point of reflex tension. If the pain is not very severe, then after kneading, rub around the hip joint: dotted - with the pads of four fingers in all directions (2 - 3 times each), circular - with the ridges of the fingers (3 - 4 times), circular - with the ridge of the thumb, which is bent and rests on the index finger (5 - 8 times).

The whole complex is repeated 2-3 times and ends with shaking and stroking. As the pain subsides, the number of repetitions of each technique increases. The duration of the session is 8 - 10 minutes, it can be done 2 - 3 times a day.

Therapeutic ointments or rubs can be used in each massage session, and products such as dolpic, finalgon, nicoflex - 1 - 2 hours before bedtime.

For deforming arthrosis, vibration massage using an electric hand massager or the “Tonus” device also helps well.

You can also use a mechanical massager. However, a hardware massage should always be preceded by a manual one, and it should also complete the session. This is especially important in the initial stage of treatment, as well as in case of severe pain in the joint. A hardware massage session should not last more than 7 - 8 minutes.

Massage: for deforming arthrosis of the knee joint[edit | edit code]

First, the thigh muscles are massaged. The following techniques are used: combined stroking (3 - 4 times), squeezing with the edge of the palm (2 - 3 times) and the ridges of the fists (3 - 4 times), shaking and stroking (2 - 3 times each), ordinary kneading (2 - 3 times) , double ring (3 - 4 times) and double ordinary (4 - 6 times), squeezing again (3 - 4 times), shaking (3-4 times), kneading "double bar" and longitudinal (3 - 5 times), stroking (3 - 4 times).

On the joint itself, concentric or circular stroking is used along the lateral areas, straight-line rubbing is used with the bases of the palms of both hands (6-8 times), “tongs” (3-5 times), straight-line and circular (3-4 times each).

Then the thigh is massaged again, but the number of repetitions of the techniques is halved. And they return to massaging the joint: its lateral areas are massaged (4 - 6 times) by circular rubbing with the phalanges of the fingers clenched into a fist, circular rubbing of the palms (3 - 6 times) and concentric stroking (3 - 6 times). Next, the thigh muscles are deeply massaged again: squeezing (3 - 5 times), shaking and stroking (2 - 3 times).

After this, active movements are carefully carried out - flexion and extension (5 - 7 times), rotation of the shin in and out (5 - 7 times in each direction). And again they begin to massage the knee joint, after concentric stroking in places where there is pain, they rub with the base of the palm, the pads of the fingers and the phalanges of the fingers bent into a fist (3 - 5 times). Finish with shaking and stroking (also 3-5 times).

The strength with which massage techniques are performed depends on the sensitivity of the tissue being massaged. A massage in warm water (37 - 39 ° C) or after a steam bath gives a good effect.

Massage for deforming arthrosis of the ankle joint. A massage session for this disease is quite complex - not so much in terms of the technique (the reader already knows the techniques used), but in its “multi-stage nature”. During the session, the position of the person being massaged changes.

The person being massaged lies on his stomach. The massage begins with the lower leg, which is bent at an angle of 45 - 90°. On the calf muscle, after stroking, perform longitudinal squeezing with one and the other hand (3 - 4 times) and shaking (2 - 3 times), then ordinary kneading (3 - 4 times), circular kneading with the pads of all fingers (3 - 4 times), shaking again (1 - 2 times) and, lowering the shin, “double bar” (3 - 4 times). Finish with shaking and stroking.

When massaging the calf muscle, special attention is paid to the junction with the Achilles tendon. Massage is done along the entire length of the tendon - from the heel to the place of its attachment to the calf muscle.

After stroking with your fingertips (3-4 times), begin rubbing. At the same time, straight and zigzag rubbing is performed using “forceps”: the tendon is rubbed from the inside with the pads of four fingers, and the tendon is rubbed from the outside with the pad of the thumb; rectilinear and circular - using the “four to one”, “one to four” method (can be performed with weights, then the leg of the person being massaged should lie on a bolster or pillow); rectilinear - with the pads and tubercles of the thumbs. Each technique is performed 3-4 times, alternating with squeezing and shaking on the calf muscle (1-2 times).

While lying on your stomach, rub the front and lateral surfaces of the ankle joint. The massage therapist stands lengthwise, places his hands on the joint so that the thumbs are on the Achilles tendon, and the other four are on the bottom on the front and side of the ankle joint. Rectilinear and circular rubbing with the pads of all fingers is repeated 4-6 times.

During a massage on the tibia muscles (outer side of the lower leg), the person being massaged sits or lies on his back. The following techniques are used (all 3-5 times): stroking, squeezing with the edge of the palm, kneading with the pads of four fingers, stroking again, squeezing and kneading with the edge of the palm, ending with stroking. In this position, it is useful to perform a double circular kneading of the calf muscle.

Then they begin to massage the ankle joint and foot. The person being massaged lies on his back or sits, the leg is extended along the couch, some soft object is placed under the Achilles tendon so that the heel does not touch the couch, and the joint is relaxed and accessible for massage from all sides. On the anterior surface of the ankle joint, a massage is performed using the following method: concentric stroking (4 - 6 times), rubbing "forceps", straight towards the Achilles tendon, along the ankle joint (3 - 4 times); straight and circular with the fingertips of both hands (4 - 6 times); rectilinear and circular (“four to one” and “one to four”) with one hand and with weights (3 - 4 times); straight and spiral with the base of the palm and the tubercles of the thumbs (4 - 6 times); circular and straight with the pads of the thumbs (see Fig. 109, a, b; 117). Finish the massage with concentric strokes.

In the same position, the back surface of the ankle joint is massaged - from the lower edge of the outer ankle along the Achilles tendon to the calf muscle. The massage therapist stands lengthwise, the far hand rubs the outer side of the joint, and the near one rubs the inner side.

The following types of rubbing are used: straight with the pads of all fingers towards the calf muscle (4-5 times), circular with the pads of all fingers (4-5 times). Then they carry out active movements on the ankle joint in different directions (mild pain is possible) and repeat the massage on the calf muscle, Achilles tendon, the outer part of the lower leg and on the joint itself, where special attention should be paid to the ankle area. At the end of the session, the calf and anterior tibial muscles can be massaged by bending the leg at the hip and knee joints. After massaging the joint, the instep of the foot is thoroughly rubbed.

Massage for arthrosis of the elbow joint[edit | edit code]

For arthrosis, the elbow joint is massaged easily and for no more than 1 - 3 minutes.

The person being massaged lies on his stomach. The massage session begins with the forearm. The following techniques are used: alternate stroking, transverse squeezing, ordinary kneading, double circular kneading (each technique is repeated 4 - 6 times). Then they move to the shoulder.

After combined stroking (3 - 4 times), begin squeezing (4 - 6 times). Massage all the muscles of the shoulder: biceps, triceps, deltoid - and proceed to ordinary kneading (4 - 7 times). Next, use stroking (2 - 3 times), squeezing (4 - 6 times), shaking (3 - 4 times), single and double circular kneading (3 - 4 times), stroking and shaking again (2 - 3 times) .

On the joint itself, circular stroking is used (5 - 8 times) and rubbing: "forceps" (4 - 6 times), straight - either with the pads of four fingers, or with the thumb along the joint (5 - 8 times). Finish with circular stroking (4 - 6 times).

After this, you can repeat the massage on the shoulder, and then carry out a circular kneading with the pads of four fingers above and below the elbow joint for 20 - 30 seconds and finish with stroking.

Massage on the forearm begins with the flexors of the hand and is carried out in this order: zigzag stroking (4 - 6 times), squeezing with the edge of the palm (4 - 6 times), shaking (2 - 3 times), ordinary kneading (3 - 4 times), kneading with phalanges of fingers clenched into a fist, with the edge of the palm (3 - 4 times), squeezing (3 - 4 times). Finish with shaking and stroking (3-4 times each time).

After repeating the shoulder massage (3-4 times each time), proceed to massage the extensors of the hand (the outer side of the forearm). It includes zigzag stroking (2 - 3 times), squeezing (4-6 times), kneading with the edge of the palm and phalanges of fingers bent into a fist (3 - 4 times), stroking (3 - 4 times), squeezing (3 - 4 times ), kneading with the pads of four fingers | (3 - 4 times) and stroking again (3 - 4 times).

At the end of the session, you can return to the massage on the shoulder and elbow joints.

Massage for arthrosis of the elbow joint can also be performed while sitting or lying on your back. All techniques are performed with one hand. The sequence of arm massage (shoulder - shoulder - elbow joint - forearm) is maintained.

Honey and shiatsu for massage

Natural melted honey is often used during massage. This allows you to nourish the tissues with various beneficial substances. The procedure occurs in the following sequence:

First you need to steam your knee well.
Heat a tablespoon of honey in a water bath to about 30 degrees.
Rub thoroughly into the inflamed area.
At the end, you need to massage your knee in a circular motion for several minutes.

At night you need to make a compress of honey. Apply a soaked cloth to the inflamed area and wrap the knee with a scarf. This method improves tissue restoration and stabilizes all metabolic processes, and also strengthens the immune system.

Japanese gymnastics and self-massage can be added to standard treatment. The procedure involves a targeted effect on active areas. To get maximum efficiency, you need to apply the pressure correctly:

The points must alternate.
When applying pressure, you need to listen to the pain. Do not exceed the individual threshold.
You can gradually increase the load on each point. The same place needs to be worked several times, using different ranges of movements.

Do not overload the joint. The main goal of the method is to improve blood circulation, which helps eliminate stiffness. This massage can be done at any stage of the disease.

Use of massagers

Nowadays, more and more often, when self-massaging at home, a special device is used - a massager. What is the advantage of mechanizing the process? Firstly, not every person is able to perform self-massage to the fullest due to their painful condition. Secondly, the device allows you to reduce the time for the procedure.

Modern massagers provide deep massage, intense heating of the joint, and vibrating effects.

The design of the massager, as a rule, includes rollers on a special platform that can provide multifunctional massage. We can highlight effective modern devices such as Marutaka and Join Max. The first option can work in Shiatsu massage mode. The second system was created specifically for the treatment of lesions of the knee joint.

Knee massage for arthrosis is considered an important element of complex treatment, which can significantly increase the effectiveness of drug therapy. This procedure can be carried out in specialized medical institutions or independently at home. It is important to do everything correctly, taking into account the characteristics of the disease and in full.