Benefits of massage on releasing the symptoms of polymyalgia rheumatica!
We have treated many patients at our clinic suffering from Polymyalgia Rheumatica using massage therapy. In this article we are going to talk about this condition and how massage can help. Our patients with polymyalgia are about 65 years old. This condition rarely affects people under 50 and it’s more common in women than in men. Research has shown that 1 in every 1,200 people in the UK develop this condition every year.
Massage therapy can help patients with different conditions and diseases. Studies have shown that there are more than 30 conditions that can be treated with massage. It also helps relieve muscular tension and faster recovery from surgeries and injuries, and don’t forget the most famous, relaxation.
Knowing a little bit more about Polymyalgia rheumatica (PML)?
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder. It causes you pain and stiffness in the muscles around your neck, shoulders and hips. Massage therapy is your best ally to relieve from these symptoms and recover faster.
What are the symptoms of PML?
The signs and symptoms usually are presented on both sides of your body. The most common symptom is stiffness in the morning and it can last more than 45 minutes.
There are other symptoms such as:
- Pain or aches in your neck, shoulders, upper arms, buttocks, hips or thighs.
- Pain and stiffness in your knees, elbows and wrists.
- Stiffness in affected areas after being inactive for a period of time.
- You will have limited range of motion in the affected areas.
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Mild fever
- Depression
- In general, you won’t feel well.
When should I visit my GP?
- When your symptoms disrupt your sleep.
- If these symptoms are new.
- When your daily life activities are limited.
- If you have pain or stiffness for more than a week.
Relationship between Giant cell arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica?
Giant cell arteritis is also an inflammatory condition. It focuses on the lining arteries (normally arteries in the temples). It has similar symptoms to polymyalgia and you can have both polymyalgia and giant cell arteritis at the same time. Giant cell arteritis symptoms are: headaches, vision difficulties, jaw pain and scalp tenderness. When you don’t treat this condition, it can lead you to blindness or stroke.
This condition can also be treated with massage therapy to relieve pain, headaches and tenderness. At Perea Clinic, we will give you a personalised treatment according to your needs.
How can I treat my polymyalgia rheumatica?
To treat polymyalgia rheumatica with medicines, your doctor will give you Prednisolone, this is a corticosteroid medicine used to relieve the symptoms. At the beginning you will start with a moderate dose and it will be gradually reduced over time. Some patients that we treat at the clinic tell us that they use this corticoid from 18 months to 2 years to avoid symptoms to return.
A natural treatment for polymyalgia is massage therapy; it allows your body to relieve symptoms of stiffness, tenderness, pain and inflammation. Massage also improves your range of motion helping you to do your daily life activities easier. Our physios will evaluate your condition and create the best treatment according to your needs. Remember that at Perea your wellbeing is my priority.
We hope this information was useful for you. If you have any questions about it or about our treatments, please contact us. We are always happy to help. You Can Find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington.
