Massage for Osteoarthritis

by Heath and Nicole Reed Osteoarthritis is a painful joint disorder involving inflammation and the loss of healthy cartilage in one or more joints. By far, the most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis, which is also known as degenerative joint disease. May is National Arthritis Awareness Month—and since osteoarthritis is a growing problem in the U.S., massage therapists need to know how their touch benefits the many clients suffering pain from arthritis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 27 million American adults have received an osteoarthritis diagnosis—and this number is rising, particularly as our society ages and becomes more sedentary. Conventional medical treatments for arthritis include pharmaceutical medication and surgery and have limited [...]