Although it is a type of therapy dating back thousands of years, it is still an effective treatment for lupus: massage therapy, the most popular type of alternative care in the United States, can relieve a surprising number of immune-related symptoms.
There are about 80 different styles of massage practiced today. The most commonly used are:
- Swedish massage, which uses smooth strokes to prepare the body for massage, squeezing and circular pressure to release tension and break up scar tissue and light tapping with the hands or fingers.
- Neuromuscular massage, which works on key “trigger points” in the body to relieve nerve pressure and improve circulation and posture.
- Deep-tissue massage, a series of slow, heavy-pressure strokes designed to release chronic tension and pain in the muscles. It can also be effective treatment for some muscle injuries, such as sprains.
- Sports massage, which employs a variety of techniques to increase athletic performance and aid flexibility. Sports massage can also be useful in cases of muscle injury.
- Shiatsu, a Japanese form of massage that uses finger pressure on acupuncture points.
- Thai massage, in which the massage therapist uses his own body to move the patient into positions that relax muscles, promote flexibility and ease stiffness in the joints.
- Hot stone massage, which uses warmed stones to transmit heat deep into muscles and joints, promoting relaxation.
- Reflexology, which uses specific thumb, finger and hand motions on the feet to ease tension and pain in various areas of the body.
- Pregnancy massage, which reduces stress, joint and muscle pain and swelling. This type requires specific training and should only be administered by a certified practitioner.
Studies indicate that massage is effective treatment for pain, nausea, fatigue, poor circulation, asthma and breathing disorders and neurological function. It also provides relief from anxiety, depression and other emotional disorders as it provides care through soothing contact.
A Hands-On Approach to Pain Relief
Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain disorder, develops in about 30% of patients with lupus: massage therapy in this case centers on pain relief and easing stiffness in the joints, especially the hips. The goal is to encourage the lupus patient to remain active and engaged with life, as pain and fatigue encourage a sedentary lifestyle. This lack of exercise results in weakened muscles, depression and an unhealthy over-dependence on family and friends.
It is very important for lupus patients considering massage or any form of alternate therapy to consult a physician and provide the alternative medicine practitioner with a full medical history. The practitioner will factor in side effects from the patient’s medications and assess the patient’s current physical condition to determine whether massage therapy will be helpful. In certain cases, massage can actually harmful; patients with rashes or sores, or those experiencing fever and headaches due to lupus flares, should not receive massage therapy. Deep-tissue massage, in particular, can bring on flares or intensify symptoms.
With good communication between the patient and health care providers and careful adherence to the treatment plan, massage therapy offers benefits with no real risk. It provides emotional comfort and pain relief, and loosens stiff muscles and joints. Additionally, massage therapy is a good form of self-care, which helps the lupus patient maintain a positive self-image and an optimistic view of life.
