Massage for arthrosis - when and how to do it correctly

There are many massage techniques used for cosmetic purposes. There are options that act solely on appearance. There are techniques that have a comprehensive health and aesthetic effect. Honey facial massage is one of them. The positive effect is determined by the beneficial composition of the product used. Honey in combination with massage can eliminate various skin problems. You can master the technique on your own. You need to carefully study the nuances of the procedure.

Is it possible to do massage with arthrosis?

If there are no specific contraindications, therapeutic massage is required. A course of manual therapy is prescribed for arthrosis of the hip, knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, wrist joints, as well as the phalanges of the fingers. The procedures are completely harmless and can be performed at any stage of the disease, with the exception of acute inflammation.

This type of therapy is compatible with other methods - medication (taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, chondroprotectors), physiotherapy, exercise therapy. Massage increases the effectiveness of medications and physical procedures by increasing blood and lymph flow. A treatment plan should be drawn up for each patient separately; massage techniques should be selected taking into account the severity of the pathology, indications, and individual characteristics of the body.

Contraindications

The service has some limitations:

Allergic manifestations;
Endocrine problems;
Open wounds, inflammatory processes;
Asthma;
Herpes;
High skin sensitivity;
Diabetes;
Blood clotting disorders;
Acute infection, high fever;
Vascular network.

Individual intolerance is rare. It is necessary to monitor the reaction of blood vessels. Microhematomas often occur, which is acceptable during the procedure. They do no harm.

The benefits of massage for arthrosis

Arthrosis is a progressive disease of the joints, characterized by inflammation, deformation, and gradual tissue destruction. In the early stages, the pathology is manifested by periodic pain and swelling; at later stages, the pain syndrome becomes constant, joint mobility is limited, and dysfunction of the periarticular muscles and ligaments is noted.

Massage prescribed for arthrosis of the arms and legs provides the following effects:

normalization of muscle tone in the area of the affected joint through the use of relaxation and stretching techniques;
reduction of pain;
elimination of compactions in the periarticular area;
restoration of natural joint mobility;
stimulation of blood circulation, lymphatic drainage (elimination of edema);
acceleration of metabolic processes in tissues and, accordingly, the removal of toxic substances from them;
activation of restoration processes in the joint.

Arthrosis is a chronic disease of a progressive nature, so it is impossible to completely recover from it. Massage courses in combination with other types of therapy can help get rid of symptoms during exacerbation, as well as increase the duration of periods of remission.

Efficiency of the procedure

The beneficial effect of the procedure is based on the qualities of honey. Thanks to the product, the integument is healed. The skin receives additional nutrition and hydration. Honey has fat-burning, toning, matting, whitening, and exfoliating properties. The epidermis becomes smooth, even, velvety, radiating health.

The use of honey masks is considered a less effective use option. A useful product combined with massage gives a more pronounced result. The joint positive effect of the procedures is evident.

Honey massage helps:

improve the appearance, quality of integument;
achieve rejuvenation (get rid of wrinkles, ptosis);
model the desired oval;
get rid of dermatological problems;
get a general strengthening effect.

As a result, the skin becomes clean and elastic. The integument becomes stronger and reaches tone. The tissues are tightened and excess volume disappears. Age-related changes are minimized.

Honey massage is useful for those with dry, normal skin. The procedure is indicated for:

dull color of the integument, peeling;
pigment spots, traces of scars, scars, acne;
the need to reduce the volume of body fat;
desire to reduce age-related manifestations.

Note! Massage is acceptable at any age. The procedure will reveal beneficial qualities, solving existing problems and preventing the appearance of others.

Indications

You should contact an orthopedist if typical symptoms of arthrosis appear and progress. These include:

crunching in the joints, especially if it becomes permanent;
painful sensations (at first episodic, later becoming more frequent), which intensify during movement and during physical activity;
persistent swelling of soft tissues caused by inflammation and localized in the area of the affected joint;
limited mobility of the limbs, in the later stages of the disease – pathological mobility;
deformation (thickening, curvature) of the joints.

Pain is the main symptom of arthrosis and a reason to seek medical help. Our clinic specialists will conduct the necessary diagnostic tests and then prescribe appropriate treatment, including a course of massage.

Interesting to know

It is known that each area on the face acts as a projection of one or another organ. For example, the cheek area is connected with the lungs, the forehead with the work of the small intestine, the chin with the genitourinary system, and the nasolabial area with the heart and blood vessels. Thanks to gentle pressure on the above areas, a person has a therapeutic effect on his own organs.

Many women think that they need to take care of their appearance with expensive cosmetics. It is worth noting that expensive cosmetics are not always of high quality. Be careful when choosing cosmetics and remember that only competent and regular care will help maintain youth for many years.

General rules for performing therapeutic massage for arthrosis

When carrying out procedures, the following general rules are strictly observed:

The session begins with warming up the skin and muscles - for 2-3 minutes the massage therapist smoothes the damaged area with his palms:
to facilitate gliding and enhance the therapeutic effect, various hydrating, warming and nourishing compositions are used: creams, gels, ointments, oils;
percussion techniques are excluded - this type of massage is unacceptable for arthrosis, as it increases the pain syndrome;
the optimal session duration is about 20 minutes (can vary up or down depending on the severity of the pathology);
the intensity of massage techniques depends on the condition of the muscles: the weaker the tone, the higher the degree of impact on them.

Any localization and form of arthrosis has serious complications, so you should not delay treatment.
See how easily the disease can be cured in 10-12 sessions.

Precautionary measures

An obvious danger of honey procedures is the possibility of an allergic reaction of the body. Redness, rash, swelling are the most common side effects. Exposure is excluded in case of allergies. Before the session, a sensitivity test to the product is required.

You should refuse honey massage if:

disorders of the endocrine system (especially diabetes mellitus);
open damage to the integument;
diseases of inflammatory, viral nature;
exacerbation of herpes;
allergic diseases (asthma);
having sensitive skin.

Failure to comply with contraindications leads to complications in the current illness and increases the risk of allergic reactions.

The uses of honey in cosmetics are extensive. Massage using the product is a common option. To get the maximum effect from the session, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with all aspects of the procedure in advance.

Types and techniques of therapeutic massage for arthrosis

The procedures are carried out in a massage room, on a special table or couch. Depending on the specifics of the disease, manipulations involve the position of the patient’s body sitting or lying down. Some manual techniques require the assistance of an assistant. The minimum recommended course of treatment is 10 sessions.

Significant relief and disappearance of pain are observed after 2-3 massage sessions

Among the main massage techniques used for arthrosis are:

trituration;
stroking;
kneading;
vibration.

Each of them has several varieties. Stroking is divided into grasping and planar (the palm clasps the limb or is open). Depending on the direction of movement, transverse, longitudinal, circular or zigzag, as well as spiral stroking are distinguished. Depending on the strength of the effect, the reception can be light or deep.

Rubbing is done with the fingers, knuckles, supporting part or edge of the palm. The main difference from the previous technique is that the massage therapist’s hand does not slide over the skin, but moves it, forming a roller. The movement can be directed along the blood and lymph or in the opposite direction.

Kneading involves several ways of interacting with tissues: rubbing and squeezing, intermittent and continuous grasping, squeezing and pulling, alternating squeezing, stretching or shifting.

Vibration creates oscillatory movements in tissues that differ in amplitude and speed. This technique stimulates muscle contraction, relieves pain, and activates trophism. There is also a positive effect on blood vessels.

Massage for arthrosis of the hand and elbow joint

To massage the elbow joint for arthrosis, the doctor will need an assistant. The patient is positioned on the couch, lying on his back or sitting. In the second case, the hand should be placed at an angle of 110⁰ using a medical roller. The masseur begins manipulations with the outer surface of the elbow, working on it with his palms and fingers and gradually moving to the inner surface:

The shoulder joint is fixed by an assistant, and the doctor holds his hand by the wrist and elbow, rubbing the painful area with circular movements of the thumb.
The limb is stretched in different directions while simultaneously turning the palm outward.
Shaking is done to improve blood flow.
The arm is bent and extended at the elbow several times (4-5), while the joint is compressed by the middle and thumb.
Using multidirectional movements of the palms, rub the forearm, elbow and shoulder along the lymph flow.

The stronger the pain, the easier the impact on the affected area should be. The recommended time for massaging the joint itself is about 2 minutes.

Massage for arthrosis of the knee joint

For gonarthrosis, the entire lower limb is massaged, with the exception of the popliteal fossa and groin area. Massage for arthrosis of the knee joint is carried out in a certain sequence (the patient lies on his back):

Within a minute, strokes are performed from the foot to the groin.
Using the ribs of the palms, rub the thigh first, then the shin without touching the kneecap.
The thigh and calf muscles are warmed up in the same sequence; to work out the back surface of the limb, it needs to be bent.
The knee is massaged by pinching the skin (forming a skin fold) around the patella, then stroking it.
Using the thumbs, pressure techniques are applied on the outer and inner sides of the knee joint at the junction of the femur and tibia.

To enhance the therapeutic effect, the ankle can be massaged in warm water.

Crunching in joints - when to worry

Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid

Massage for arthrosis of the ankle and toes

Massage for ankle arthrosis involves the patient lying on his back, with rollers placed under the affected joint and knee. The technique is as follows:

Light strokes are made with the palm in the direction from the toes to the ankle and lower leg.
The heel, Achilles tendon, and ankle are worked with pincer-like techniques and continuous enveloping circular rubbing.
The sole of the foot is intensively rubbed with the knuckles from the big toe to the heel. Stroking movements are performed in the opposite direction.
The foot is warmed up from the outer edge, and a pressure technique is used from the inner edge.
The heel is additionally massaged with strong pressing movements using knuckles or fingertips.

If necessary, finger massage is performed. To do this, each of them is ironed separately with superficial, then deep movements. The index and thumb are used to perform semicircular rubbing of the toes, and then longitudinal and transverse movements with simultaneous flexion and extension of the interphalangeal joints.

Massage for arthrosis of the hip joint

With coxarthrosis, a significant surface of the body is worked out - the back, sacrum, buttocks and hips. The patient is first positioned on the massage table lying on his stomach, and then on his side (on the healthy side). The massage is done in stages:

By stroking and rubbing from the lower back to the shoulder blades, the spinal muscles are prepared for a more intense effect - kneading.
The sacrum, buttocks and back of the thigh are massaged in the same way. These actions are necessary to relax the muscles and increase blood flow in them.
The patient turns on his side so that the affected area is located on top. In this case, the leg is bent at the knee and hip joint, and a cushion is placed under it.
The quadriceps muscle of the thigh (its anterior and lateral surfaces) is warmed up.
The joint area itself is stroked and then rubbed with light circular movements.

The duration of a massage for arthrosis of the hip joint is on average 20 minutes. In the case of complete absence of painful sensations, the exposure time can be increased, but if sharp pain appears, manipulations should be stopped.

Massage for arthrosis of the shoulder joint

The patient sits on a seat without a backrest, slightly tilting the shoulder being massaged towards the massage therapist. The doctor performing the procedure is on the side, working first on the anterior and then the posterior surface of the joint and the periarticular area. The procedure is performed as follows:

The patient, if possible, moves his arm back, resting the back of the hand on the lower back.
The massage therapist, using longitudinal and circular stroking techniques, first warms up the muscles of the forearm, moving to the joint area with fan-shaped movements.
The next stage is the impact on the articulation and ligaments of the head of the shoulder in front. For this purpose, the doctor’s hand is positioned in such a way that the thumb is fixed on the shoulder, and the rest can be freely rubbed into the joint in a circular motion.
To work on the posterior articular surface, the patient places the palm of the affected hand on the shoulder of the healthy one.
The masseur rubs the lower part of the joint and the headband with circular movements of the thumb, fixing the other four on the shoulder area.
The joint capsule is massaged with fingertips, using circular stroking and rubbing.
The final stage is a massage of the lower surface of the shoulder joint. The patient places his palm on the shoulder of the massage therapist, who performs movements from the armpit upward with his thumb, resting the rest on the shoulder.

The session lasts about 20 minutes, after which it is recommended to provide rest to the sore joint for a while.

Beneficial properties of the natural component

Honey has valuable components that have a beneficial effect on the human body. It includes the following elements:

iron,
phosphorus,
magnesium,
potassium,
manganese,
calcium, as well as vitamins and amino acids.

Honey is a natural moisturizer. Thanks to the above components, this product perfectly nourishes the epidermis. It can be used as a light peeling, as honey removes dead skin particles and has a whitening effect. The minerals contained in honey help rejuvenate and renew the skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of the natural component will be appreciated by those with problem skin. In general, honey is suitable for all skin types, but individual intolerance to one or another component has not yet been canceled. An allergic reaction test will help determine sensitivity to the component used.

Honey massage for arthrosis

To enhance the therapeutic effect of massage for arthrosis of any joints, you can use honey. It contains large quantities of biologically active substances beneficial to the body: vitamins C and B-groups, minerals, organic acids. When used externally, this product helps to activate blood circulation, enhances lymph outflow, and has a positive effect on muscle tone and regenerative processes in cartilage tissue.

Experts recommend a course of 10 procedures, the first 3 of which are carried out daily, the rest - with an interval of 1 day. Before the massage, the area of the affected joint should be warmed up by taking a hot bath or applying a heating pad. Before use, honey (1 tablespoon) must be melted in a water bath, avoiding overheating, otherwise its medicinal properties will deteriorate.

The prepared honey should be rubbed into the skin with soft circular movements of the palms for 5 minutes. Then the treated area of the body is covered with gauze and a warm cloth on top for at least 3 hours (the bandage can be left overnight). It should be remembered that you cannot use honey for massage if you are allergic to it.

Chondroprotectors: what are they, how to choose, how effective are they?

Joint pain at rest

Consolidate the effect

The results of the session are noticeable 1-2 hours after exposure. The skin becomes smoother, more even, and fresher. The effect lasts 1–2 days. The accumulation of beneficial effects occurs gradually. After 5–10 sessions, you will be able to discern the lifting effect. To solve complex problems, 15–20 sessions will be required.

Proper daily care of the integument helps to consolidate the effect. It is necessary to regularly cleanse the skin and use suitable cosmetics. A healthy lifestyle, the absence of bad habits, stress, and healthy sleep will enhance your achievements.

Self-massage for arthrosis

The listed techniques of mechanical impact on the periarticular area can be used independently at home. But at the same time, it is important to understand that, without special education and skills, a person is capable of harming himself.

Excessive force on the affected joint, incorrect direction of movement or erroneous order of manipulations lead to increased symptoms and deterioration of the general condition. Thanks to the knowledge and experience of our clinic specialists, we guarantee long-term positive results.

Self-massage for arthrosis, after consulting with a doctor, can be done with the help of auxiliary devices. The simplest wooden roller massagers for the back allow you to effectively work out the area of the spine, shoulder blades, lower back, and sacrum. Needle ones are available in the form of balls, cylinders, and mats. Ball-shaped and cylindrical varieties are suitable for massaging the feet and shoulders; the Kuznetsov applicator is suitable for the back.

Needle rollers and mats Lyapko

Manufacturers also offer different models of vibrating massagers. These devices, powered by mains or batteries, are designed to affect different parts of the body. Electric massagers, when used correctly, activate blood circulation, effectively relieve pain, and normalize muscle tone.

We combine proven techniques of the East and innovative methods of Western medicine.
Read more about our unique method of treating arthrosis

Choosing the right honey

Only a combination of a high-quality beekeeping product with professional use of technology can give an excellent result. The key requirements that honey must have are naturalness and freshness.

The question arises: is it possible to use a high-quality, but candied product? It is not prohibited to use it, but it must first be heated in a steam bath. Care must be taken to ensure that there are no hard candied pieces that could damage the delicate face.

Honey is an ideal option, of any kind. Preferably buckwheat with linden. The first option is to massage your face with a pure product, and the second is to prepare a mixture by adding jojoba, peach, grape seed, sesame oils and vitamins.

FAQ

Is it possible to do massage for arthrosis at home?

It is possible, but only in the form of short-term stroking and rubbing to relieve pain in the joint during an attack. The onset of long-term remission without complications is guaranteed only if you contact specialists.

Is it possible to have a massage after endoprosthetics?

Need to. After successful implantation of the endoprosthesis, it is necessary to normalize muscle tone and strengthen the ligamentous apparatus. The help of doctors and massage therapists at our clinic will ensure full restoration of motor activity.

Is massage done for post-traumatic arthrosis?

Without fail. Injuries to a joint imply restriction of movement in it for a certain amount of time (the application of bandages, plaster). During this period, the muscle tissue atrophies, the ligamentous apparatus weakens, and contractures may occur. Professional massage can restore muscle tone and limb mobility to its full extent.

Bibliography

Lesnyak O. M. “Diagnostics, treatment of osteoarthritis and rehabilitation of patients in general medical practice”
Shaposhnikov Yu. G. “Traumatology and Orthopedics”
Kotelnikov G.P., Mironov S.P., Miroshnichenko V.F. "Traumatology and Orthopedics"

Themes

Arthrosis, Joints, Pain, Treatment without surgery Date of publication: 08/25/2021 Date of update: 04/11/2021

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Preparatory stage

Before applying honey, you should thoroughly cleanse your skin of makeup and other impurities. A cosmetic lotion or foam will help with this. To open the pores, you need to apply a hot compress for a few minutes. Be careful not to get burned.

Massage with honey can be done in different ways. Essential oils will help enhance the effect; the following are popular: rosemary, lavender, tea tree, ginger, anise, ylang-ylang. Mix liquid honey with 5 drops of any essential oil. Apply the resulting mixture evenly to the face and neck. You can distribute the mass over the skin with your hands or a special brush. You should put a bandage on your hair to protect it from the sticky honey mass. The layer should be dense, but not too thick. You need to wait 10 minutes, during which time the beneficial substances will be absorbed into the skin. It happens that the product remains on the surface of the skin, these areas need more careful care.

Forget about pinching and stroking typical for classic massage. Light pressure movements that do not cause pain are the basis of honey massage.

Choosing honey

Only natural and mature honey brings benefits to the body, and using fake honey for massage is completely dangerous, in addition to the fact that the procedures will be useless and there is a possibility of ruining the skin. How to determine the quality of honey? You can distinguish a natural product from a fake by its organoleptic characteristics, i.e. color, smell, taste, consistency. This requires some experience; to acquire it, you can walk through the honey aisles at the market, try and compare the healing product from different sellers, and communicate with them. Real honey is less sweet, slightly tingles the tongue and sores the throat. The maturity of “sweet amber” can be determined by how quickly and in what drops it flows from the spoon.

Honey varieties

Each type of honey has its own medicinal properties.

Buckwheat – useful for anemia, problems with the cardiovascular system, indicated for pregnant women. It is this variety that traditional healers recommend using for massage.
Linden is indispensable in the treatment of colds, for strengthening the heart muscle, and for problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Honey from meadow herbs will help with colds, calm the nervous system, and have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.
Sunflower - good for bronchial asthma, heart disease, osteochondrosis, removes toxins from the body.

Any variety will be gratefully received by the body.