Benefits of Self Massages to Relieve Joint Discomfort
Your joints form the connection between your bones, provide support and help you to move. However, an estimated 54.5 million US adults between 2013-2015 were diagnosed with joint discomfort, particularly arthritis (CDC, 2018). Any sort of damage to the joints can cause pain and discomfort, as well as interfere with movement. That’s why it’s important to take certain actions to protect and comfort your joints – one of these being self-massage.
Self-massage is a great way to target aching joints, and there are plenty of benefits from this to relieve joint discomfort. Not only this, but this is also something that you can do in the comfort of your own home, without breaking the bank!
Relaxation
Whilst massages are used for targeting pain areas, they are also a way to relax and mitigate the effects of stress and therefore allow us to be in control of our body overall. When our bodies are tense and under stress, it produces unhealthy levels of the stress hormone – cortisol. This can contribute to weight gain, sleeplessness, digestive problems and more. Regular massages can help to decrease cortisol levels in the body and leave you feeling relaxed, happy and with reduced stress levels (Taylor & Francis Online, 2009).
Effects on the skeletal system
Massage can help to improve muscular balance and thus skeleton alignment. It exercises joints through range of motion, in which they are nourished by joint fluid which is moved and circulated with the use of massage. Massage can also prevent adhesions from forming between ligaments and bones which can alter joints and limit range of motion (Whole Person Health, undated). Regularly self-massaging may reduce any joint pain you’re experiencing, however it’s important to remember that massaging these areas should make you feel better, not worse – therefore it’s important to stop immediately if you experience more pain.
Effects on the muscular system
Too much muscular activity results in the formation of lactic acid, and an insufficient supply of oxygen (Europe PMC, 1986). Lactic acid is what is produced when our body requires energy production faster than it can adequately deliver oxygen (Scientific American, 2006). The process of this is called glycolysis, which is the breaking down of glucose into a substance called pyruvate.
When our bodies have the required amount of oxygen, this pyruvate is further broken down to provide more energy – however, when the body is lacking oxygen, this pyruvate is then converted to lactate or lactic acid that causes an increase of acidity in the muscle cells. This increase of acidity from the build of lactic acid can cause muscle fatigue and discomfort. However, massages enhance muscle blood flow, and therefore the removal of metabolites such as lactic acid (American College of Sports Medicine, 2010).
Pain Relief
Above all, the biggest benefit we see from self-massages is pain-relief. The population suffer from a variety of joint-related health issues, and it’s important to try and seek the help where necessary to alleviate this. Taking supplements such as Move Free® Ultra Triple Action tablets with type II collagen, boron and hyaluronic acid can help to improve your joint health. These supplements are clinically tested to deliver better comfort, flexibility and mobility – therefore incorporating these into your daily routine can provide all round better joint health*.
References
American College of Sports Medicine (2010)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018) Arthritis-Related Statistics
Europe PMC (1986) Muscle Fatigue and Lactic Acid Accumulation
Scientific American (2006) Why Does Lactic Acid Build Up in Muscles? And Why Does It Cause Soreness?
Taylor & Francis Online (2009) Cortisol Decreases and Serotin and Dopamine Increase Following Massage Therapy.
Whole Person Health (Undated) Massage Therapy