Aside from the skinned knees that accompany learning to ride a bike, knee pain comes more often from inside the body than outside. Your knees bear the entire weight of your body, and they don't always respond well.
Adults are often troubled by osteoarthritis as their cartilage - which acts as the shock absorber for joints - begins to wear down. In fact, the American Pain Institute says that around 30 percent of people age 65 and over report feeling pain or stiffness in their knees during the past month.
Post-Surgery Massage
Total Knee Replacement surgery has become increasingly common, but stiffness is a troubling side effect. The scar tissue caused by surgery will vary from patient to patient, but this tough fibrous material can limit your range of motion.
Massage therapy has proven effective in breaking down scar tissue, which improves the recovery process. Another advantage of massage, according to Dr. David Katz of Yale University's medical school, is that it's "free of any known side effects and, according to our results, clearly shows therapeutic promise."
Benefits of Massage
A study of patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis looked at the effects of massage. Those who received a 60-minute Swedish massage once or twice a week for two months reported less pain and improved knee function. The researchers concluded that "massage therapy seems to be efficacious."
Even for people whose knees feel fine, massage increases serotonin which acts as a natural pain reliever, reducing anxiety and promoting deep sleep. Anyone facing stress on knees, joints or anywhere else can benefit from the effects of a relaxing massage at Massage Envy.
