Massage helps Osteoarthritis

I fell while X-C skiing on Mt Rainier. My knee hurt and I needed help getting up; but, I had to keep skiing to get back to the lodge. Three days later in Yoga while doing the tree pose I put my leg down and immediately was in excruciating pain. I limped out of the class to my car. I had no idea what was happening to my healthy body. (Fast forward) I had surgery to remove 3/4 of the lateral meniscus because the cartilage had been damaged by osteoarthritis - a degenerative arthritic condition that had been developing for years. My knee is clearly not the same as it was before -no more ski jumping, limited backpacking; however, massage has certainly helped improve it's condition.

 Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage inside a weight-bearing, synovial joint to become rough and flaky and small pieces (called joint mouse) can break off float around and  get stuck in the joint. (In rheumatoid arthritis, the synovial membrane, that protects and lubricates joints, becomes inflamed.) Inflammation occurs causing limitations in joint mobility. The joint no longer glides smoothly. Creaking or grating sounds can be heard. Swelling, stiffness, limited joint movement and pain are all symptoms of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis generally occurs in fingers, spine, hips and knees. Pain may arise from long periods of immobility or even changes in weather. Damaged cartilage can't repair itself.

Stay young----ok, so that's impossible. :-)

but, you can keep your joints in good  condition by doing exercises for muscle strength, joint mobility and posture. Walk a little each day or do other more vigorous forms of exercise. Do warm up exercises before strenuous activity. Eat a varied, healthy, low fat diet (locally grown is best). When kneeling, use a kneeling pad.

If you do get osteoarthritis:  

(I row (crew), ski, swim, walk, cycle and do Pilates and as a result, I have minimal osteoarthritic joint pain.) 

Reducing your weight (if you are overweight) reduces strain on the joint. Additional treatments are ice packs, and if necessary, medical treatments which may include deep heat creams, anti inflammatory medications, steroid injections, and surgery.

Recent research, supported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine showed massage therapy was effective in reducing pain associated with osteoarthritis. The outcome provided evidence that people with osteoarthritis might benefit from weekly, 60-minute massage therapy sessions using Swedish strokes including effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, vibration, friction and skin rolling. The research also found that conventional therapies are limited in effectiveness.