Self-Massage Helps Relieve Arthritis Pain

Self-Massage Helps Relieve Arthritis Pain, Says Arthritis Foundation

“Massage is beneficial in helping control arthritis pain”. Not our words, but those of the Arthritis Foundation, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis.

Scientific studies

In an article titled ‘Self-Massage Relieves Arthritis Pain and Stress’, the Arthritis Foundation points to two separate studies. Both demonstrate the benefits of massage for patients with arthritis.

The first was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 2006. Researchers focused on adults with osteoarthritis of the knee. For eight weeks, one group was treated with frequent sessions of Swedish massage, and the other group was not. The results showed that those subject to massage therapy enjoyed improved pain, stiffness and physical function, along with a greater range of movement.

The second was published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in 2007. This time, the study centred on adults with arthritis of the wrist or hand. Half the group was given standard treatment. The other half was given massage therapy and taught self-massage techniques to do at home. After four weeks, those in the massage therapy group reported less pain, lower anxiety and improved grip strength.

These are by no means stand-alone studies. There are numerous scientific papers that draw a positive correlation between massage and pain relief. This includes a study published in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science in 2015. Researchers explored the effects of self-massage and home exercise in patients with myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. Once again, those who carried out self-massage experienced reduced pain intensity.

Self-massage for pain relief

Massage is an ancient form of healing. Now, scientists are beginning to understand what our ancestors knew all along – that massage has many health benefits. Rather than a means of pampering yourself, it can in fact be a form of treatment, particularly when it comes to pain relief. This realisation is supported by medical evidence, and indeed, by organisations such as the Arthritis Foundation and Arthritis Research UK.

Here at Marble Hill, we firmly believe in the health benefits of massage, too. We don’t profess that self-massage will magically make arthritis disappear. But we have seen first-hand how effective it can be at alleviating pain. This has been a profound discovery for some of our customers, as arthritic pain is blight that can impact every aspect of an individual’s life.

Because massage has become something of a luxury, it might be financially unavailable for those who need it most. However, that is where self-massage comes into play. There is nothing to stop someone with arthritis massaging their own painful joints at home. Individuals can try holding pressure points, sweeping strokes across the muscles, and shorter strokes to target smaller areas.

CannaFlex massage oil for arthritis

That is why developed CannaFlex oil. We wanted to provide those interested in self-massage with a quality massage oil they could trust. Moreover, we wanted to help people who face pain on a daily basis. To achieve this, we made CannaFlex oil in conjunction with Mr Henry McGee, an Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in the management of hip and knee arthritis, sports injury and musculoskeletal disorders.

With his expertise, we have produced a premium massage oil suitable for people with all types of health conditions – including arthritis. CannaFlex provides the ‘slip’ needed to allow superficial and deep massage techniques, yet it does not leave a greasy after-effect. It contains 100% natural ingredients, making it gentle on the skin. It can also be taken alongside other medication, if needed.

This makes CannaFlex the ideal oil for self-massage, as it can be used every day with confidence. As the research shows, this may well prove effective in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis.