Imagine being in excruciating pain with every move you make – hardly being able to walk, lift a gallon of milk or drive due to the pain of gripping the steering wheel. Daily tasks we all take for granted are often impossible tasks for many arthritis sufferers.
Each day, more than 50 million men, women and children are in pain from arthritis. Arthritis affects people of every age – 65 percent of those who suffer from arthritis are under age 65, including approximately 300,000 children who are unable to live a pain-free life. The number of arthritis sufferers is expected to rise to 67 million by 2030, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Though many arthritis sufferers are able to help manage their pain through medication, a strict diet and light exercise, many also incorporate therapeutic massage into their routines to help cope with the pain.
How Massage Helps:
Several studies from leading institutions such as The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Yale University, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Harvard Medical School have proven that massage therapy can help relieve some of the troublesome symptoms associated with arthritis and related diseases such as fibromyalgia.
- A more comfortable and active life is possible, as massage plays a very healthy and effective role in alleviating the pain and swelling caused by arthritis, increasing mobility and range of motion, increasing muscle and joint strength, improving flexibility and circulation and reducing anxiety.
- Massage treatments target muscle pain and trigger points to help alleviate the constant aches and help manage stress.
- Massage therapy increases grip strength for various hand pain and arthritic conditions of the hand.
Communication is the key to an enjoyable and relaxing massage. If you have arthritis, it is important to find a therapist who communicates with you about your disease. Tell your therapist you have arthritis, and be as specific as possible when you book your appointment. Let him/her know if your arthritis affects your knees, hips, or back, for example, so the therapist can use care when applying massage to those areas, or avoid them all together.
How you can help:
Massage Envy has joined forces with the Arthritis Foundation to host Healing Hands for Arthritis, a one‐day national event to build awareness and raise funds to fight the disease. On Sept. 19, Massage Envy Spa Flagstaff will donate $10 from every one‐hour massage ($39) or facial session ($49) to the Arthritis Foundation. Last year, the Massage Envy network raised nearly $500,000 during this one‐day event. The Arthritis Foundation is the largest national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to the prevention, control and cure of arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. FBN
Massage Envy has 31 locations throughout Arizona. The Flagstaff location is at 1235 S. Plaza Way in the University Plaza Shopping Center off Milton Road next to Ross and Safeway. To schedule an appointment for Healing Hands for Arthritis, call 928-526-ENVY (3689).
Reservations are accepted on a first‐come, first‐served basis. For additional locations and information, visit MassageEnvy.com, or to donate directly to the Arthritis Foundation, please visit MassageEnvy.com/arthritis.
Mark Love is co-owner of Massage Envy Flagstaff. For more information on the benefits of massage, go to www.MassageEnvy.com or www.Facebook.com/MEFlag.
