IMTRC: Arthritis and Massage Therapy
Research

IMTRC: Arthritis and Massage Therapy

Author(s): Nicole Nelson

1CE credit 4 Lessons Video

Massage therapy is gaining interest as a therapeutic approach to managing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Explore research on the effects of massage therapy as a stand-alone treatment for pain and functional outcomes for those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

The Massage Therapy Foundation’s International Massage Therapy Research Conferences are designed to bring together an engaged community of thought leaders, educators, therapists, and allied health practitioners to discuss massage therapy research.  This session was originally presented in 2019.  For more information, please visit the Massage Therapy Foundation.

When you finish this course, you will be able to:

  • Describe why research is important when discussing the benefits massage therapy may have for clients who are dealing with arthritis.
  • Explain some of the biggest benefits massage therapy has to offer people who have arthritis.
  • Discuss the common misconceptions people have about chronic diseases like arthritis that prevent them from trying integrative techniques like massage therapy.

  1. IMTRC: Arthritis - Video 1
  2. IMTRC: Arthritis - Video 2
  3. IMTRC: Arthritis - Video 3
  4. IMTRC: Arthritis - Video 4

Nicole Nelson, MSH, LMT is an adjunct instructor in the department of Exercise Science at the University of North Florida (UNF).  She has been a massage therapist and personal trainer for close to 25 years. Her research focuses on complementary medicine and exercise science.