Massage Therapy for Your Hands
Our hands serve us all our lives – they connect with others, carry groceries, make meals, heal our loved ones, communicate with others, wipe away tears, nourish, touch and love. It seems important then, for us to treat our hands with the same support they give to us in life. One of the ways we can do that is through massage therapy.
“The health benefits of massage therapy are well-documented, and a hand massage is no exception. Having your hands massaged feels good, it can help ease muscle tension, and it may even reduce pain. Studies have shown that having a professional hand massage just once a week, and doing self-massage once a day, may help reduce the pain associated with many conditions, including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy.” ~ healthline.com
In the article from which the above quote was taken, multiple hand conditions including arthritis, carpal tunnel and neuropathy have been shown to benefit from massage therapy.
The article describes that people with arthritis in their hands struggle with pain and reduced hand strength that impairs their ability to perform everyday tasks such as opening a door or removing the lid from a jar. Despite the effort, these daily activities can become insurmountable barriers that prevent one from completing automatic actions that we all may take for granted. Massage therapy on hands whether it is done professionally or completed by yourself between visits to the massage therapist to prolong the healing effects of professional massage can reduce pain in the hands and can give you back improved grip strength so you can open that door or simply pop the lid on that jar – just like you used to do!
The linked article above also discusses how massage therapy can improve other conditions that impede full hand function.
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a condition that causes pain, numbness, and weakness in the wrist. It’s a very common nerve disorder. It is estimated that roughly four percent of the world population suffers from this painful condition. It should be noted that massage for carpal tunnel relief focuses on the wrist, but it may also include the arm, shoulder, neck and hand. Regular massages especially at trigger points were found to lower pain, improve hand function and increase overall grip capability.
Neuropathy is a condition that involves nerve damage that can cause pain in your hands and feet. It can also cause numbness, tingling, and other abnormal sensations. By improving circulation and increasing blood flow to your extremities, massage therapy can support improvement in the symptoms that can weakness and discomfort in the extremities.
“ A professional hand massage is a good investment for your overall health… “
Scientific evidence has shown that regular massage is a powerful health support that not only can ease pain and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety overall, but, when targeted on your hands, can give you the ability to return to normal operations in your life without the drama and discomfort that can be your current reality. As with any massage therapy, hand massage can promote a reduction in anxiety, depression and can improve sleep, all of which contribute to greater wellbeing.
Enjoy the benefits and let healthy hands accompany you through the Holiday Season!