Arthritis, Massage Therapy & Nutrition

Arthritis: Definitions

Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint or joints.
Gout
Joint inflammation in feet or hands, caused by uric acid crystals.
Inflammation
Response of body tissues to injury or irritation. Characterized by pain, swelling, redness and heat.
Osteoarthritis
Chronic breakdown of cartilage in the joints.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Chronic autoimmune disease with inflammation of joints and joint deformities.
Spondylarthritis
Arthritis of intervertebral joints in the spine.
Traumatic Arthritis
Inflammation of a joint as a response to trauma.

Can Massage Therapy Help Arthritis?

People sometimes ask if arthritis can be treated with massage therapy. The answer is no. Massage therapy can release tight muscles & fascia, adhesions, fixated joints, etc. Arthritis isn't tight muscles. Arthritis is a disease. Arthritis is usually caused by what people eat and drink. You can stop the disease from continuing to destroy your joints. If you have arthritis, you need to learn about the causes, and change your diet.

Most Pain is Not From Arthritis

Pain usually comes from muscle tension & fixated joints. Muscle pain can be caused by postural distortion, overuse or injury. These can be helped by massage therapy. Get A Massage

Pain is often caused by what you eat and drink. Many people get better when they stop using caffeine, MSG, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose. Food allergies are a common unsuspected cause of pain.

Please note that I am not a doctor. I can't diagnose illnesses, including arthritis. I can give you information to help you understand what is going on with your body.

Inflammation

Inflammation involves pain, swelling, redness and heat. Example: A thumb that's been hit by a hammer; the thumb looks swollen and red, feels hot, and is painful to touch. Inflammation can be caused by injury or irritation.

Arthritis and Nutrition

Fasting reduces symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but the disease comes back if patients eat their usual diet. If they eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, their rheumatoid arthritis improves. Meat-eating may be a factor in arthritis.