THE ‘HEALING HANDS’ SERIES
Knee pain is a very common ailment that no matter your age, how active you are or genetic predispositions, anyone can experience. So what causes it, how do you manage it, and can massage help? We must start by stating the obvious…
Book in to see your doctor.
As massage therapists, we are not doctors and can’t tell you any further than how the soft tissue feels. Your doctor will be able to advise you on whether massage is an appropriate form of care to manage your knee pain as well as give us guidance on where to focus on.
What are some common causes of knee pain?
- Osteoarthritis. Oftentimes, due to overuse by athletes or active individuals, the cartilage can wear away exposing the bone and allowing rough bone deposits to form.
- Weak quadricep muscles. If the quads are weak and don’t support the knee joint, that in turn can promote the overuse and overcompensation of other muscles, tendons and ligaments surrounding the knee. There can also be trigger points in the quads that refer pain to the knee.
Massage can help!
Massaging the knee joint and the muscles that surround it can help, as it helps release stiffness and allows better range of motion and mobility. It also brings blood and oxygen to this joint and the muscles that support it, which allows your knees to heal faster and relieve the feeling of pain. However, you want to avoid massaging directly on the kneecap or pushing the kneecap around unless it is done by your doctor.
Massage also promotes relaxation, which can lower the body’s production of cortisol, the stress hormone. It can lower blood pressure, which in turn can reduce inflammation, and it can increase the body’s production of serotonin, the feel good hormone.
At the end of the day, if you’re going for a massage to help with knee pain and stiffness, the massage should help you feel better, not worse. The goal is to give you long-term mobility, so if your knee feels worse after the massage, then that may not be an appropriate treatment for you
BOOK IN FOR A MASSAGE NOW
*We offer discounted rates to locals, just give us a call or email us to get your loyalty account set up for free!
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