Arthritis Help Center

I have rheumatoid arthritis, massage is recommended by Arthritis Foundation, yet masseuses will not.....Why?

I constantly see the recommedation for massage as alternative pain management for this debilitating disease--by the medical community, yet when any LMT are contacted, I can find None who will give massages to people with this disease----why the discrepency? Another "fear of lawsuit factor? Or, Insurance dictacting medical procedures?" Since this is such a common recommendation for RA, I do not understand the lack of service in this area. Help!!

Public Comments

1. Massage causes increased blow flow which is what you want to avoid, because it can lead to inflammation.
2. massage yourself for free.
3. Many massage therapists are reluctant to massage people with any type of disease or condition. Some won't even massage pregnant women without specialized training. The same is true for arthritis.
   
   I'd suggest you contact local pain management clinics and ask them who they recommend. I bet they have a list of therapists who work with your problem. Another approach would be to contact the American Massage Therapy Association ask them for a recommendation in your area.
   
   Edit: For those who said massage is NOT good for arthritics, you are very wrong. In the right hands, it can be very helpful. When I lived in a retirement community, I had a neighbor with severe arthritis. She had always been afraid of massage until I did some very gentle work on her. She was ecstatic with how much benefit she got from it. The trick is finding a therapist who knows what she is doing and doesn't treat you like any other client...your needs are unique.
4. It might be a mix of those. I have JRA, so I know what you mean. My rheumatologist said to exercise lightly and massage it. No one will massage it except friends/family. I think its just b/c they're not sure if you have to do it a special way and don't want to do it wrong and then get sued or get a bad reputation b/c of it. I find that giving myself a massage sorta works, but find a family member or friend that will do it. You could ask the masseuse why they wont too...
   Hope that helps :)
5. I found that the Arthritis Foundation never did help me or my friend.
6. One rule of massage therapists... "Do no harm" If a therapist feels they are not qualified for the job, they won't perform. Arthritis is a very tough thing to work with... since the joints are already inflamed, we don't want to do anything to disturb it and put a patient in more pain.
   
   There are other certain massages that can be done to help Arthritis. Look into Lymphatic Drainage. It's not exactly a massage... it doesn't use any kind of gliding or poking or stroking... it's a simple procedure using about a finger weight. We work with the lymph that runs all through out the body and although it might not give you that "oooh aaaah that feesl good" feel... it can help ease the pain of RA and maybe help your movement.
7. Arthritis is an inflammatory disease, inflammation causes pain, to rub or massage a joint that is inflamed will irritate the tissues further inflaming the area. Omega 3s (for inflammation and joint lubrication also for pain), Noni (for pain and inflammation, this is literally a miracle product), and tei fu oil for rubbing externally over the joints for pain relief. I strongly reccomend these products I know they have really helped others with arthritis.
   
   You can find these products and ask future questions at
   www.mynsp.com/kandismm
   
   Good Luck and Good Health