The Miracle of Massage for Lupus
Lupus or Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) as it is also known as is an autoimmune disease. In such situations the body is known to consider itself as a health threat reacts in a manner similar to how it would treat another infection. Lupus can affect all organs of the body, the muscles, joints, and the skin. Symptoms of lupus can differ from person to person.
Similarly, what treatment may work for one person need not necessarily work for the next. Most doctors prescribe medication to keep lupus symptoms in check. However, many patients also consider alternative methods to help reduce their symptoms.
Massage therapy is one such popular alternative treatment to treat pain caused by lupus inflammation.
Following are the benefits of massage for lupus:
- A good massage releases endorphins in the body. Endorphins are natural pain relievers and therefore massage therapy may help reduce pain caused by the disease. The rubbing of damaged muscles also aids the recovery process.
- Manipulating stiff muscles and gently massaging around inflamed joints can help relieve tension that may be adding to the pain.
- Massage for lupus improves blood circulation thus benefitting different organs of the body that may be affected by lupus. A good supply of oxygen and nutrients to the affected organs is also known to help improve their functioning.
- Improved blood circulation encourages the cleansing and proper functioning of the liver and kidneys and this may help relieve other symptoms of lupus such as weight gain, water retention, and high blood pressure.
- Massage therapy is a great stress reducer. Lupus patients tend to suffer from high amounts of physical and emotional tension. This in turn can aggravate symptoms. Massage therapy helps prevent this vicious cycle.
- Regular massage also decreases feelings of anxiety and depression that are normally associated with patients of lupus.
According to the Lupus Foundation of America, massage therapy may help relieve symptoms of lupus. However, if you suffer from a form of lupus known as cutaneous lupus that affects the skin, massage therapy may aggravate the symptoms and should be avoided. It is also recommended that massage therapy for lupus should only be performed in between flare-ups. People may respond differently to massage therapy and there is no one particular type of massage that is better than the other to treat symptoms of lupus. The key is to find an experienced massage therapist who is preferably trained in lupus massage. Before beginning any new treatment, it is always best to talk with your doctor or health care provider to understand the possible pros and cons with regards to your individual case.
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