Drug-free Relief from Arthritis

Arthritis sufferers experience swelling and pain in their joints, often making everyday activities painful and difficult. There are two common types of arthritis:

Rheumatoid: a chronic condition where patients suffer from sudden swelling in the joints, ligaments and muscles.

Osteoarthritis: where cartilage slowly breaks down over time due to wear and tear as well as aging.

An estimated 500,000 BC residents suffer from some kind of arthritis, and the numbers are growing:

  • 21.7% of women have arthritis
  • 15.7% of men have arthritis
  • By the year 2031, arthritis prevalence is expected to increase by 124%
  • 25% of long term disability cases are caused by arthritis
  • Arthritis is the second most frequent reason for non-prescription drug use


    • Information courtesy of the Massage Therapists' Association of BC

    Common Causes:

  • Injury to joint
  • Infection
  • Trauma
  • Degenerative joint disease
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Periarticular conditions (conditions occurring in structures surrounding the joint)

    • Symptoms:

  • Joint pain
  • Joint swelling
  • Changes in joint size or shape
  • Heat and/or redness at the joint
  • Loss of mobility
  • Early morning stiffness

    • Treatment:

    Your Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) will assess what kind of arthritis you have and then develop an appropriate Massage Therapy program. Treatments depend on a number of factors such as severity, age, occupation and lifestyle. Since the majority of sufferers have chronic arthritis, treatment will focus on reducing discomfort and pain. RMTs will offer tips for in between treatments to help patients manage their pain at home.

    Benefits:

    With a Massage Therapy program, patients can look forward to a significant drop in pain and an improved range of motion.