Massage for arthritis. Methods, techniques, useful tips

Sometimes the disease develops over years, and sometimes it debuts abruptly and for no reason - arthritis of the hands is unpredictable. Sometimes the inflammation goes away after 2-3 days, and sometimes it lasts for weeks. Sometimes the pain in the arms is so severe that patients need heavy hormonal therapy. And sometimes they practically don’t notice the disorder until the final stages. But in all cases without exception, advanced disease leads to disability. It all starts with arthropathy - inflammation of the joint membrane. Without treatment, arthritis of the hands quickly spreads to the entire joint: it successively affects synovial cartilage, tendons and ligaments, muscles, and bones. Inflammation destroys cells, joints lose mobility, and every movement is accompanied by pain. What are the causes of hand arthritis and is it treatable?

Arthritis of the hands is a common joint disease that makes life much more difficult.

What is arthritis

In modern medicine, the term arthritis is understood not as one disease, but as a group of diseases that have different origins with similar symptoms - the development of inflammatory processes in the joints.

Arthritis is a widespread problem. Due to genetic predisposition and some other factors, it is more common among residents of Europe and America than among Asians and Africans. So, in the United States of America, according to statistics, more than 40 million people have encountered it to one degree or another. Arthritis is the number one cause of disability in this country.

Another fact indicating that arthritis has ceased to be a purely medical problem is its economic effect. Due to the need to serve patients, as well as a decrease in their labor productivity, damage to the global economy is caused annually, the amount of which is estimated at hundreds of billions of dollars. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2000–2010 the “Decade to Fight Bone and Joint Diseases.”

The fight against arthritis will be more effective if massage procedures are combined with a course of taking an innovative chondroprotector drug.

Degrees and types of disease

Depending on the location of the lesion, the following types of arthritis are distinguished:

proximal;
average;
distal;
total.

Classification of the disease depending on the cause that formed the basis of the disease:

Post-traumatic. It occurs as a complication of fractures and dislocations. Often occurs in professional athletes.
Infectious. Hematogenous, lymphogenous or contact penetration of the pathogen into the joint.
Reactive. The patient has a history of infections from the intestinal or genitourinary system (2–4 weeks before the joint was affected). Arthritis acts as a complication of the underlying disease.
Metabolic disorder - gout. Deposition of uric acid salts in the cavities of small joints and, as a result, their inflammation.

Arthritis classifications

There are many classifications of arthritis. From the point of view of localization of painful processes, monoarthritis and polyarthritis are distinguished. Monoarthritis refers to cases when inflammatory processes develop within one joint. If the problem is detected at several points at once, it is customary to talk about polyarthritis. The latter can have either a symmetrical form, when inflammation appears in the same joints in the right and left parts of the body (knees of both legs, elbows of both hands, etc.), or random, when any junction of bones can be affected.

Depending on how the disease progresses, acute and chronic arthritis are distinguished. The first option is accompanied by severe, rapidly developing pain. The chronic form makes itself felt by periodically arising and disappearing pain of low and medium intensity, often aching in nature. It can develop independently or remain as a result of an incompletely cured disease in an acute form.

From the point of view of the causes of the disease, there are several varieties of it.

Infectious arthritis is associated with damage to the body by pathogens. It is often accompanied by fever, weakness, chills, headache, that is, the whole set of symptoms that are characteristic of other infectious diseases.
Traumatic arthritis develops as a result of mechanical injuries. These can be either the injury itself or constant excessive load on the corresponding joint.
Dystrophic arthritis is a consequence of degradation processes that develop in joint tissues. They, in turn, can also be caused by a number of reasons: autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders and the like.
Arthritis caused by other diseases - these may include tumors of various types, digestive disorders, endocrine system disorders, etc.

Hereditary predisposition to joint pathologies also plays a significant role.

The period of exacerbation of arthritis is often associated with swelling and limited mobility of the affected joint. In addition, there is a restriction in the movement of neighboring joints located below and above the affected one (for example, if inflammatory processes develop in the wrist joint, then the mobility of the fingers and elbow also suffers to a certain extent). This is due to a sharp tension in the muscles that fix these joints. In this situation, it is extremely important to achieve maximum muscle relaxation.

Causes of the disease

Causes are divided into primary and secondary. Primary causes are diseases that directly affect the articular surfaces:

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune degenerative joint disease.
Traumatic lesions (dislocations, fractures).
Diseases associated with metabolic disorders (gout).

Secondary causes are associated with general somatic pathology, which resulted in complications in the joints:

Allergic reactions.
Tuberculosis (atypical course).
Stage I diabetes mellitus (usually affects the lower extremities).
Psoriasis (in severe forms).
General infectious diseases (flu, herpes).

There are a number of reasons that are associated with this disease:

elderly age;
hypothermia;
heredity;
mechanical form of labor (seamstresses, office workers).

Arthritis of the thumb is included in a separate group. It is associated with both wear and tear of the cartilaginous part of the joint and aseptic inflammation. The lesion is predominantly in the metacarpophalangeal joint. There is a clear impairment of motor activity and a pronounced decrease in work activity.

Is it possible to do massage with arthritis?

In most cases, massage for arthritis can be used both as part of therapy and as a means of prevention. The exception is septic arthritis. In its acute phase, it requires antibacterial treatment, only after which massage and other physiotherapeutic procedures are allowed.

In addition, a contraindication is the presence of skin lesions: ulcers, suppurations, rashes, etc.

Arthritis requires special care and strict adherence to technique when performing massage procedures. Their effect is to reduce pain, improve blood circulation, and relieve muscle tension. In severe cases, massage helps restore the natural motor function of a person’s limbs. Depending on the nature of the lesion, manipulations can be local or general.

The role of massage in treatment

Massage is performed to eliminate swelling and reduce pain. It allows you to reduce the concentration of inflammatory mediators in tissues.

If you suspect arthritis, massage is not necessary right away. In some types of inflammatory processes it can be harmful. For example, you should not massage tissue during acute infectious inflammation. In addition, cancer can be hidden under the guise of arthritis. If a malignant tumor develops, massage is also not done, as it promotes metastasis of the tumor.

Is it possible to do massage with rheumatoid arthritis?

Often such a specific type of disease as rheumatoid arthritis is considered separately, so we will consider it separately.

Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by progressive destruction of joints with degradation of cartilage and bone tissue. This is one of the most dangerous and aggressive forms of arthritis. In most cases, it affects representatives of the age group 45–65 years and, in the absence of qualified assistance to the sick person, in 30% of cases it leads to loss of ability to work in less than 10 years. At the same time, a delay of medical intervention during the course of the disease by 12 months significantly reduces the likelihood of a favorable prognosis.

Massage for rheumatoid arthritis should begin at the recovery stage, after acute pain has disappeared. During the procedure, special attention is paid to areas with increased sensitivity. A course of massage treatments includes at least 10 sessions, otherwise the effect will be minimal.

Arthrosis of the ankle joint

Arthrosis of the ankle joint
If arthrosis of the knee or hip joint can be primary, then degenerative processes in the cartilage of the ankle joint are always a consequence of another disease. Most often the cause is severe trauma. The articular cartilage is damaged, which leads to slipping of the articular surfaces. As a result, cartilage degeneration worsens.

Among other joints, the ankle bears the highest load. Therefore, with progressive arthrosis, pain always occurs when walking. During instrumental diagnostics, a decrease in cartilage and a narrowing of the joint space are determined. The load on the adjacent area of the bone increases, which provokes rapid wear of the joint.

Symptoms of the initial period of the disease: periodic pain that occurs during intense exercise. As the disease progresses, the pain intensifies. At the same time, a person’s ability to bear loads decreases. The patient spares his sore leg and therefore limps when walking.

Rules for massage for arthritis

Massage of joints for arthritis, when performed correctly, can relieve most of the symptomatic manifestations of this disease and significantly alleviate the patient’s condition. However, the key to proper massage is professional training.

Before prescribing a course of therapeutic massage to a patient, the attending physician must determine the form of the disease (chronic, acute or subacute), the level of arthritis activity, and also check for the presence of joint mobility disorders. It is necessary to conduct a detailed study of the performance of each joint, to identify the possible presence of ankylosis and contractures. You should also determine the condition of the muscles.

The massage itself must be performed by a specialist in compliance with a number of rules.

The massage should begin with stroking and warming movements, excluding direct and aggressive effects on arthritic joints.
You can proceed to the main stage if there are no pronounced pain sensations that arise in response to the massage therapist’s manipulations.
To influence areas affected by contracture (that is, with joint mobility limited as a result of the disease), rubbing and stroking techniques are used. Antagonist muscles are worked using vibrating effects; at the end, it is permissible to add tapping and patting of the developed areas.
Massage for shoulder arthritis uses stroking, squeezing and kneading as its main techniques. The impact on the patient’s body is carried out using the fingertips, as well as the edge of the palm. At the final stage, you need to perform shaking movements. Massage can be performed in several repeating cycles in one session.
Massage for arthritis of the elbow joint also begins with working out the shoulder section of the arm, followed by moving to the forearm area. After this, the massage therapist focuses on carefully working the muscles located above the elbow level.
Massage of the hands and fingers begins with stroking movements of various trajectories. Then special attention is paid to working out the wrist joint. This is mainly done using straight or zigzag movements. The fingers are massaged separately, with emphasis on each phalanx. At the end of the session, the patient should perform a shaking movement with the hands several times.
Massage for arthritis of the hip joint is done mainly through kneading and stroking movements with the pads of the thumb and the back of the hand. The impact is on the sacral and lumbar spine.
Massage for arthritis of the knee joint is performed with the thumbs and hands of both hands and has the following sequence. The hands are placed below the level of the kneecap, after which rotational movements towards the thigh begin. The movement should combine stroking and rubbing in a spiral. There is a significant number of sensitive nerve endings in the popliteal cavity, so massage of the knee with arthritis should be performed carefully and taking into account possible pain.
Massage for ankle arthritis includes deep stroking by moving the pads of the fingers away from the little finger and big toe up to the middle of the shin. Then similar actions are performed with the entire surface of the palm.

Clinical picture

Arthritis of the fingers, unlike many other types, has pronounced symptoms from the first days. Chronic and subacute forms of this pathology are less common than acute forms. Clinical symptoms:

Abrupt onset of the disease. High body temperature rises (more than 38 degrees), general weakness, headache.
Local pain in the affected area. Sometimes several articular surfaces are involved in the lesion.
Local hyperemia, edema, severe redness of the joint.
Deterioration of finger mobility (decreased active and passive movements).
Limb deformity. Occurs in chronic forms of the disease.

The disease has pronounced symptoms.
The clinical manifestation of carpometacarpal arthritis of the thumb has its own characteristics. Local manifestations appear on the 4th–5th day. Until this point, the main symptom of arthritis of the fingers is pain and limited mobility. Hyperemia and swelling are localized on the wrist and pain radiates to the forearm. The grip strength of the hand decreases sharply, as does the ability to perform usual actions.

Is self-massage acceptable for arthritis?

We always strive to take the simplest path, but, alas, it does not always turn out to be the most correct. In an effort to get rid of joint pain, we want to solve everything on our own, and not resort to the help of specialists. As a rule, this is due to the fact that people underestimate the severity of the disease. Well, let us remind you that arthritis is one of the most common (and in some countries, simply the most common) causes of disability.

If the acute phase of the disease has just passed and you have a recovery period ahead, then it is better to entrust your joints to specialists. But still, in some cases, kneading movements can be performed independently.

Firstly, after completing a course with a professional massage therapist, he can show you self-massage techniques, which should be performed according to his instructions. As a rule, this is done at the stage when such manipulations will play a more supportive role, preventing the pathology from developing again.

Secondly, self-massage is acceptable and, moreover, desirable as a preventive measure. If you feel that the load on your joints has increased for one reason or another, do not wait for discomfort or, especially, pain and external symptoms (swelling, redness, etc.) to appear. This is especially true for massage of the hands and fingers. Indeed, in the era of gadgets, constant small movements lead to rapid wear of joints, increased load on bones and muscles, pinching of bundles of nerves (the same tunnel syndrome) and other unpleasant consequences.

synovial fluid prostheses

synovial fluid prostheses - are inserted into the joint and reduce friction of the articular surfaces;
cell therapy – intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma and stem cells are used to enhance regenerative processes in cartilage tissue.
Often it is necessary to resort to surgical interventions:
sanitation arthroscopy - the doctor removes adhesions in the joint, components of destroyed cartilage, chondromic bodies (the operation allows you to increase the range of movements);
arthrodesis - surgical immobilization of the ankle (cartilage is removed, resulting in articular surfaces fused) allows you to get rid of most manifestations of arthrosis, but the joint remains permanently immobile, which limits the functionality of the limb;
endoprosthetics – complete replacement of the ankle joint with an artificial endoprosthesis (this operation is very traumatic and expensive, but it gives the best functional results).

After surgical treatment, massage is used as one of the procedures that ensures the patient’s rehabilitation. It reduces pain, swelling, improves joint functionality.

Technique for self-massage of hands for arthritis

There are quite a few methods of self-massage, each of them has its own advantages. However, in general, the cycle of working out the wrist joint and fingers can include up to 12 stages.

Cleansing. Before starting the massage, wash your hands with soap or disinfectant and then dry with a towel. This is necessary because massage manipulations increase the throughput of the skin. Contamination in the form of fats, dust and other small foreign bodies can reduce the beneficial effect.
Hydration. For this, both special oil and regular hand cream can be used. Their use will make the procedure not only more pleasant, but also less traumatic. The glide will prevent you from putting undue pressure on your joints and muscles, acting as a safety net.
Warming up. Massage for arthritis is a physical activity, which means that muscles and joints must be prepared and toned. To warm up the tissue, rub the back of your hand with the palm of your other hand for 15 seconds.
Warm up the joints. The previous stage allows you to warm up the outside of the brush, and to achieve the same effect from the inside, clasp your hands for 15 seconds and then relax your fingers. This exercise must be performed 5-10 times.
Warm-up of the phalanges. Take each finger in turn with the opposite hand and perform rotational and light pulling movements. The cycle can be repeated 2-3 times.
Acupressure. Let's move on directly to the procedure itself. Take your right hand in your left so that the left thumb is located in the middle of the right palm. Use your remaining fingers to clasp the back of your wrist. Apply gentle pressure to the center of your palm 4–8 times. Do the same with the base of each finger. Repeat these manipulations 5 times, and then do the same manipulations with the other hand.
Tapping. Place your right palm on a table or other flat surface, back side up. Clench your left hand into a fist and tap the middle phalanges on your lying hand with light, non-painful blows. Perform for one minute, then change hands.
Patting. First, clap your palm against your palm for a minute, as if you were simply applauding. Then alternately pat the palm of your hand on the back of your other hand. But don't overdo it. A sign that you are making the right efforts is pinkish skin in the absence of pain.
Tingling. Place one palm on the table again. Lightly pinch the skin there with your index, middle and thumb. Don't try to apply pressure with your nails; it's better to use the pads and tips of your fingers - just as if you were taking a pinch of salt. Use frequent pinching movements from the wrist joint to the tip of each finger. Check if you are in too much of a hurry - it usually takes about 3 minutes to complete this step with one hand. Then repeat the same with the other brush.
Pulling. Hold your palm suspended with the back side facing you, with your fingers spread out. With your other hand, use a sliding motion along each finger from tip to base, as if you were straightening out the folds of a tight-fitting glove. Repeat 5 times, then do the same with the other hand.
Massaging. Add moisturizer or oil. Actively massage each brush from the center to the edges. Pay special attention to the periungual area, pads and bases of the fingers.
Mask. Yes, there are also masks for the hands, and making them is not so difficult. Simply apply a thick layer of your chosen hand care product and put on cosmetic gloves. Warmed skin and muscles quickly and effectively absorb beneficial biologically active substances. If you do self-massage not for preventive purposes, but at the rehabilitation stage after treatment, then consult with your doctor whether you need hand masks, and if so, then clarify which product you should choose.

Let us make a reservation once again that the above steps are not mandatory. Those who perform massage for preventive purposes can choose them at their own discretion, supplementing them with other techniques and techniques. Those who are prescribed this procedure for medical reasons must first undergo detailed instructions from a specialist.

Let us pay attention to another procedure that can be an excellent addition to massage for arthritis of the fingers and hands. Before the session, you can steam your hands in warm baths with the addition of various decoctions and essential oils. Here medicinal plants will come in handy - for arthritis of the joints of the hand, we recommend turning to the help of string, elecampane, sage, calendula, St. John's wort, and dandelion.

The big advantage of self-massage is that it can be practiced in a variety of conditions: at the workplace, at home in front of the TV, and even while taking a bath.

Traditional treatment

These methods are suitable as a complement to basic traditional therapy, but you should consult your doctor before using them.

Means for oral administration

The products should be used with caution. The reason is possible complications of concomitant diseases (gastritis, ulcer):

Pour a glass of boiling water over nettle (1 tsp) and leave for 1 hour. Drink half a glass a day. The course of treatment is 7 days.
Mix calendula flowers with lemon balm in a 1:1 ratio and pour a glass of boiling water. Drink the resulting infusion after cooling, 1 glass per day.

Nettle tincture

External means

The most popular remedies are compresses and baths:

Baths with pine. Take 3-4 pine legs, bring to a boil and leave for 1 hour. Pour the resulting broth into the bath. Time spent in water is 30 minutes. Course 7 days.
Compress made of honey and white clay. Mix the components in a ratio of 1:3 until a creamy mixture is obtained. Apply to the affected area and cover for 30 minutes. Course 2 weeks.
Rub a mixture of sage, oak bark and mint oils into the affected area 2 times a day for 2 weeks.

Technique for self-massage of the knee joint for arthritis

Self-massage of the knee at home has principles similar to massage of the hands. However, it also has its own characteristics. Let's look at the sequence of massage for arthritis of the knee joint in more detail.

Apply a massage agent slightly warmed in your palms.
Take a special massage position: sit on a flat surface with your back supported, one leg should be extended forward, the other bent in front of you at a right angle.
Warm up the knee joint by stroking and rubbing it with your hands. In this case, the palms should move oppositely relative to each other. The hand of the same name as the leg being massaged works on the outer side a little closer to the kneecap. The second hand, massaging the inner surface, is lowered to the popliteal cavity.
Even if the knee of the other leg is not affected by arthritis, perform similar manipulations with it.
Next comes the first, actual massage action. Place the thumbs of both hands on the top edge of the kneecap and make circular movements with a small radius.
Then press your fingertips on the joint at different points (middle of the kneecap, sides of the joint). The intensity is moderate, pain, at least acute, should not occur.
Using tweezers, pinch the skin of the joint at different points and move it slightly back and forth and in a circle.
At the final stage, stroke the knee joint as a final procedure - this is a kind of cool-down after the procedure.
Repeat the manipulations in the same order with the second leg. The time spent working on each knee should be approximately 15–20 minutes.
Do not put any weight on your knee joints after the procedure. Minimize walking for the next 30 to 60 minutes and do not run, jump, or lift heavy objects.

We also note that the effectiveness of massage procedures increases many times over if at the same time you regularly attend water aerobics classes. This training allows you to achieve the desired level of physical activity and at the same time significantly relieves the natural load on the knee joints.

We emphasize again that self-massage should be performed only with the approval of the attending physician and in accordance with the instructions received from him.

Symptoms

Each type has fairly similar symptoms, but the most painful symptoms occur with rheumatoid arthritis.

Most often, the pain increases after sleep, prolonged rest, or during heavy exertion. At the same time, swelling of the affected area, its redness, and even an increase in temperature in it and near the area may develop. When arthritis of the finger joints develops, pain in the affected joint occurs at the slightest attempt to move and becomes more severe.

Massage for arthritis and arthrosis - are there any differences?

Arthritis and arthrosis are diseases that are often talked about together. Of course, what unites them is not only the similarity of names. Both of these attack the joint mechanisms. One can become both a cause and a consequence of the development of the other. And yet they have noticeable differences in the clinical picture.

As we have already found out, arthritis is inflammatory in nature. It may vary in origin and intensity, but the immediate cause of pain, discomfort and dysfunction of the joint will always be common - inflammation.

Arthrosis occurs as a result of the destruction of the cartilage tissue located inside the joint capsule - a natural shock absorber and lubricant located between the surfaces of the bones that form the joint. Without cartilage, articular surfaces begin to rub against each other, which leads to mechanical wear, degradation and destruction.

Arthritis and arthrosis often have similar symptoms. Their treatment tactics have both similarities and differences. In both cases, massage procedures can be used as prescribed by the attending physician. In this case, the nature of the course will be determined not so much by the difference between arthritis and arthrosis, but by the characteristics of each specific case. Therefore, massage for different types of arthritis may have more differences than for arthritis and arthrosis with a similar clinical picture.

Indications and contraindications

It must be remembered that joint massage is only an additional way to eliminate unpleasant symptoms in diseases of the musculoskeletal system. As a rule, it is prescribed in the following cases:

Bruises of varying severity;
Treatment of complications after injuries;
Periodic but systemic pain;
For arthritis, arthrosis, gout and osteoarthritis;
Childhood hip dysplasia;
Poor posture;
Preparing a limb for prosthetics;
Osteochondrosis, scoliosis, hernias and other diseases of the spine.

As you can see, situations can be completely different, many even recommend using simple joint massage techniques for athletes after each workout to relieve tension and relax, and are mandatory for rehabilitation after sports injuries. In any case, only your attending physician can determine whether you need such a procedure or not, because this type of influence also has a number of contraindications:

Exacerbation of disease or symptoms;
The area where the joint is located is swollen or red;
The temperature of the skin in the affected area is increased;

Even if, when painful sensations arise, we involuntarily begin to rub and knead the location of the pain, thus practicing self-massage, but in serious cases it is best to avoid self-medication and seek help from a specialist.

Acupressure for arthritis

Special mention should be made about acupressure for arthritis, if only because it is often offered as a separate procedure. The principle of its action is associated with the assumption of the presence of special physiological processes in the body. Pressure on certain points, nerve centers, also allows you to influence organs and systems located in other parts of the body. It is believed that acupressure provides the following effects:

improved blood circulation;
normalization of the nervous system;
relief of pain;
relieving muscle tension;
improving the functions of the endocrine glands.

A good specialist in acupressure must accurately find the necessary points on the patient’s body, the influence of which is carried out with the pad of the most sensitive finger. As a result of the manipulations performed, the patient experiences feelings of numbness, fullness, warmth, minor pain, and goosebumps appear on the skin.

When performing acupressure, special diagrams are used that depict the so-called meridians, lines and channels that connect points on the body with other organs and systems. During the procedure, the impact may be on:

fingertips;
elbow folds;
shoulder folds;
wrist folds;
subgluteal folds;
tip of the nose;
other points on the face;
places of muscle support.

Depending on the acupressure technique used, manual action can have a calming or stimulating effect. If arthritis has led to contracture and increased muscle tone, then patients with such symptoms are given a relaxing massage. If muscle atrophy and decreased tone are observed, massage tactics using a tonic technique are chosen.

Acupressure is otherwise called acupressure. In its technology and underlying theoretical concepts, it is related to acupuncture (acupuncture). We emphasize that although these procedures often give a positive result, they nevertheless relate not to modern academic, but to alternative (traditional) medicine. Therefore, acupressure should be used only as a complement to basic therapeutic techniques. This combination is practiced by some doctors and in this context is referred to as “complementary medicine” (that is, having a complementary, auxiliary nature).

Massage of the lower leg after a fracture

In the structure of bone fractures, ankle fractures occupy a huge share: up to 20% of all visits to a traumatologist regarding violation of bone integrity. They are often intra-articular or open. Improper treatment can result in disability.

Leg massage after a tibia fracture is, of course, not performed immediately. After an injury, a person feels severe pain. Bones often become displaced, requiring manual or hardware reduction. This is followed by long-term plaster immobilization.

Until recently, doctors sought to achieve a more comfortable recovery for the patient by reducing the size of the plaster cast and reducing the time of immobilization. Attempts were made to limit the patient to functional rest without immobilizing the leg. But they all failed: it was found that the lack of adequate long-term immobilization significantly worsens the outcome of fractures, regardless of whether surgical treatment or closed bone reduction was performed.

In the acute period after a fracture, massage is used to relieve swelling of the ankle. It facilitates closed reduction of bones. It is often prevented by the accumulation of fluid in the soft tissues. Although swelling is not a contraindication for reduction, if it is present, the traumatologist’s attempts to put the bones in the correct position are often unsuccessful.

Regardless of the treatment method, all patients require rehabilitation after a fracture. Because prolonged immobilization causes muscle atrophy, loss of ligament elasticity and osteoporosis due to impaired bone mineralization. To normalize regenerative processes and improve microcirculation, reduce pain and swelling, the following is used:

Other ways to combat arthritis

Medication and physiotherapeutic techniques are used to combat arthritis. In the most serious cases, surgery may also be required.

Some physiotherapeutic procedures are used to ensure that active substances penetrate better into the tissues of the affected joints. These include medicinal electrophoresis and magnetic therapy. However, most are used in remission. They help relieve pain, reduce the activity of autoimmune reactions, avoid spasms and convulsions, and minimize degradation processes.

Today, the most common technologies in the fight against arthritis are:

electrophoresis;
magnetic therapy;
ultraviolet irradiation;
UHF (ultra high frequency therapy);
ultrasonic influence;
phonophoresis;
laser therapy;
mud therapy;
paraffin therapy and ozokerite;
balneotherapy;
manual therapy.

Physical therapy complexes (therapeutic gymnastics or exercise therapy) can be considered as a separate area of work.

Ultrasound of the joint

Ultrasound of the joint
Therefore, massage can be done only after diagnosis. At a minimum, an X-ray or ultrasound of the joint, a clinical and biochemical blood test, and a general urine test are required. Synovial fluid is collected for microscopic examination. If indicated, an MRI may be performed.

In the treatment of acute arthritis, the role of massage is minimal. It is important to carry out etiotropic therapy to eliminate the very cause of joint inflammation. This may be compensation for metabolic disorders that led to the deposition of salt crystals in the joint, or antibacterial therapy to destroy the infectious agent.

Often the cause of inflammation is injury. Minor joint injuries require restoration in a state of functional rest. Severe injuries often require surgical treatment. Massage can be used during the recovery phase in all cases. For minor injuries, it is used from the second day. If the injury turns out to be severe, massage begins after removing the plaster cast or during the recovery period after surgery.

Arthritis massage and nutrition

Arthritis is a disease that in one way or another affects a person’s lifestyle. Massage is a very effective means of combating, but unless combined with a number of other procedures and activities, it risks being ineffective. The most important accompanying aspect of countering arthritis is the selection of an appropriate diet.

The correct diet in this case is identical to the basic principles of nutrition for inflammatory diseases.

Foods with excess sugar and salt should be completely excluded from the diet. These substances slow down fluid metabolism in tissues, disrupt metabolism, and lead to the appearance of edema. The stop list also includes:

baked goods, white bread, other flour products, with the exception of some wholemeal products;
most confectionery products;
smoked, spicy and fried foods;
marinades, sauces, some spices;
carbonated drinks;
coffee;
alcohol;
fast food.

If arthritis has developed as a result of gout, the ban also applies to legumes, fatty foods and chocolate.

The basis of the menu for arthritis should be:

dietary meat (chicken, turkey, veal);
fish (preferably white) and other seafood;
whole grain cereals;
milk and low-fat (but not low-fat) fermented milk products;
eggs;
fresh fruits, vegetables and berries;
nuts.

In terms of cooking methods, boiled, baked and stewed dishes, as well as fresh foods, are preferable. Especially when it comes to plant foods rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Various medicinal herbs can play a special role here. In the domestic flora there are many such plants that seem to be specially created by nature to combat a certain group of diseases. Thus, hawthorn and rosehip are a panacea for heart disease, and white cinquefoil helps the endocrine system. As for joints, their best friend and assistant in the plant world is dandelion. Its roots contain a specific set of substances, each of which works in its own way to restore joint tissue.

First of all, we are talking about taraxacin and taraxacerin. Under their action, the liver activates the production of substances that stimulate the division of chondrocytes - cells that form the basis of cartilage tissue in the joints. Under normal conditions, their regeneration proceeds extremely slowly, and dandelion is perhaps the only natural remedy that can accelerate this process. Growth hormone, which is produced in an accelerated manner under the influence of nicotinic acid contained in the plant, also helps the recovery processes.

Under the influence of dandelion amino sugars, the production of intra-articular fluid is accelerated. In addition, they act as raw materials for the production of collagen fibers, the basis of connective tissue. And inulin helps the intestines absorb such chemical elements as calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc, which are also very important for joint health.

Research into the healing properties of dandelion helped create a unique drug based on it - the chondroprotector Dandelion P. Its most important feature is the cryoprocessing technology used in production, which involves ultra-fast freezing and grinding of plant materials. This allows you to completely preserve the chemical palette of the plant, unlike most other similar preparations, where valuable compounds are mostly destroyed due to thermal or chemical exposure. Well, with the help of additional enrichment with vitamin C, we will get a drug to combat joint diseases of a new generation, which can pleasantly surprise even experienced specialists with its results.

Dandelion P will be an excellent addition to a massage course and will take the effectiveness of the fight against arthritis to a whole new level.

You can purchase chondroprotector Dandelion P in pharmacies, retail outlets, and also by ordering in online stores.

Treatment of arthritis of the fingers: why it occurs and how to treat it

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Arthritic changes affect the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints, and, most often, appear as a result of existing diseases. In order not to lose the opportunity to work, do hobbies and take care of yourself at home, you should begin treatment for arthritis of the fingers as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Signs of hand arthritis

Despite the fact that the inflammatory process in the joints of the fingers can be provoked by various reasons, there are always general signs that may indicate the presence of pathological changes:

Pain in the joints. At first, the pain may be barely noticeable; it makes itself felt after a long period of inactivity (in the morning after sleep), while performing small, painstaking or difficult physical activities. Gradually, with increasing inflammation, the pain appears more often and becomes stronger.
Weather dependence of the joints - a reaction in the form of pain, aches before a change in weather, atmospheric pressure.
The skin around the joints affected by arthritic changes becomes sensitive, hyperemic, hot to the touch, and tightly stretched.
Joints thicken and swell.
During movement, the joints make characteristic sounds.
Weakness and fatigue appear, and body temperature may rise.

Causes of arthritis and factors contributing to the development of inflammation

Among the reasons that cause inflammation in the joints of the fingers are:

Pathological conditions of connective tissue - rheumatoid arthritis occupies a leading place in frequency;
A complication of a severe autoimmune disease, psoriasis, is psoriatic arthritis of the fingers;
Metabolic disorders lead to the development of gouty arthritis;
Influenza, scarlet fever, tuberculosis, gonorrhea and other infections cause infectious arthritis as a complication;
Post-traumatic arthritis, as the name suggests, is the result of injuries to the fingers and hands;
Deforming arthrosis appears as an age-related change;
Changes in the phalanges are more susceptible to people engaged in delicate manual labor associated with constant tension on the hands and fingers - seamstresses, jewelers, watchmakers, professional athletes;
Not the least role in the inflammatory processes of joints is played by the hereditary factor;
In some cases, arthritis of the finger joints is allergic in nature.

See also on the blog: A bone is growing on the big toe: what to do?

Arthritis of the thumb can be caused by even a single strong load or sudden movement.

How to treat arthritis of the fingers?

Treatment of joint inflammation involves solving several main problems:

Relieve inflammation
By improving microcirculation, restore metabolic processes in joint tissues
Reduce (eliminate) pain
Remove exudate from the joint cavity, reduce the pressure inside it
Restore the ability to make full movements

See also on the blog: Traditional treatment of joints for arthrosis and arthritis

Drug treatment for arthritis of the fingers

The best results in treatment can be achieved when the disease is at an early stage. However, diagnosing arthritis at the very beginning can be quite difficult.

Drug therapy should be comprehensive, combining various groups of drugs, and carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. Otherwise, not only will it not bring the expected results, but the time needed to take action will be lost.

Acute inflammation can be relieved by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This group includes ketonal, ibuclin, voltaren, indomethacin, ibuprofen.
Chondroprotectors - structum, artepan, sustilak, rumalon, teraflex, movex active and others - are designed to improve metabolic processes in the joint. They are available in the form of tablets, ointments, creams, gels, capsules, solutions for intramuscular injections and intra-articular administration. Chondroprotectors have a positive effect on the division of cartilage tissue cells, normalize metabolic processes, stimulate the synthesis of hyaluronic acid, prevent the loss of calcium ions by bone tissue, reduce inflammation, and slow down the course of pathological processes in tissues. It should be understood that chondroprotectors are long-acting drugs; their administration takes many months. Injections of drugs are most effective; simultaneous physiotherapeutic procedures have an additional effect.
Injections to improve blood supply - Actovegin, Trental and others. Promotes adequate nutrition of tissues in the joints, the course is 10 injections of the drug.
For infectious arthritis caused by bacteria, it is necessary to take antibiotics: ceftriaxone, meranem, bigaflon.

The type of drug, course duration, frequency of administration and dosage are selected by the doctor, depending on the general clinical picture, severity of the disease and concomitant pathologies.

Physiotherapy for joint treatment

During an exacerbation, physiotherapeutic procedures are contraindicated, but when the process is brought under control and treatment is started, the combination of medications and physiotherapy gives a good overall effect.

For arthritis of the finger joints, the following are indicated:

Electrophoresis
Magnetotherapy
UHF
UV
Manual therapy
Massage
Baths
Exercise therapy
Paraffin treatment