02/18/2025
Yes you can prevent arthritis and it starts with this:
How Massage Therapy Can Help Prevent Arthritis
While there is no guaranteed way to prevent arthritis entirely, research suggests that regular myofascial release style therapy can play a significant role in reducing the risk and managing early symptoms. By improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting joint flexibility, therapy can help maintain overall joint health and delay the onset of arthritis.
We use a specific medically patented technique called Active Release Techniques (ART). This took years of training and practice to learn. A thorough knowledge of anatomy and biomechanics is necessary to perform this technique correctly but in my opinion it's the best way to prevent the muscles and fascia from binding together and creating "Adhesions".
These adhesions will cause problems down the road, and one of the most common problems will be a breakdown in the integrity and balance of the joints in your body, most commonly in the spine.
Improving Circulation and Reducing Inflammation
One of the primary benefits of ART therapy is its ability to improve blood flow. Proper circulation ensures that nutrients and oxygen reach the joints, helping to maintain their health and function. Additionally, ART promotes the drainage of lymphatic fluids, which aids in reducing inflammation, a key factor in the development of arthritis. By keeping inflammation at bay, ART therapy helps prevent the breakdown of cartilage and joint tissues that leads to arthritis.
Enhancing Joint Flexibility and Mobility
Stiffness and lack of movement contribute significantly to joint deterioration over time. Massage therapy helps to loosen tight muscles, improve flexibility, and maintain range of motion in the joints. Techniques such as Active Release Techniques, deep tissue massage, myofascial release, and stretching can help prevent the stiffness that often precedes arthritis.
Reducing Stress and Muscle Tension
Chronic stress and muscle tension can contribute to joint strain and inflammation, increasing the risk of developing arthritis. Massage and other styles of muscle therapy iare well-known for their relaxation benefits, which help lower stress levels and reduce cortisol, a hormone linked to inflammation. By promoting relaxation, massage therapy indirectly protects joint health and reduces arthritis risk.
Supporting Cartilage Health
Cartilage acts as a cushion between bones, preventing friction and joint damage. As people age, cartilage naturally wears down, but ART therapy can help slow this process by encouraging synovial fluid production. This fluid lubricates the joints, keeping them healthy and reducing the risk of degeneration.
Conclusion
While myofascial or massage style therapies alone cannot completely prevent arthritis, they are a valuable tool in maintaining joint health and reducing risk factors. Through improved circulation, reduced inflammation, increased flexibility, stress relief, and support for cartilage health, these therapies can play a proactive role in preventing arthritis.
If we haven't seen you in a while, remember the months roll by quicker than you think. It's important to keep the muscles and joints in your body free from tension and adhesions. A maintenance visit is never a bad idea.
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