Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Osteoarthritis is a condition that occurs due to natural wear and tear of the cartilage between the joints.  As the cartilage wears away, there is no protection between the bones, and they rub against each other, causing inflammation and pain.  One of the most common places this occurs is the knee.  There are several factors that increase the likelihood of developing this condition.  For example, the older you are, the more likely you will develop this condition, in addition to gender (if you are a female) and if you are overweight. 

Massage is one treatment option for osteoarthritis of the knee, with the goal being to reduce pain and inflammation at the joint and in the surrounding soft tissue.  The muscles, tendons and ligaments of the knee joint are the focus of the session, and techniques are used such as effleurage, petrissage, myofascial release and muscle stripping to reduce swelling, increase the length of the muscle tissue and restore balance to the joint.