What Kind of Pain Can Hand and Arm Massage Help With?

While massage can relieve general discomfort, it can also help with specific types of arm and hand pain. In fact, people with certain conditions - from arthritis to golfer's elbow and tendonitis - often use massage as part of their daily routine.

Here are some types of pain that massage may help with.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when your median nerve becomes squeezed or compressed. It can result in numbness, tingling, and discomfort in the forearm and hand. Remarkably, research has shown that massage may relieve pain and boost function for people with this condition.

Soreness After the Gym

Massage can be game-changing if you enjoy lifting weights, playing sports, or training in any other way that involves your arms and hands. Of course, a massage feels incredible after a tough workout - but it also offers many other benefits for athletes.

For example, research has shown that a proper massage may reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and support performance after intense exercise.

Arthritis

Moderate-pressure massage may soothe arthritis-related pain and tension for certain people, according to the Arthritis Foundation. In specific, it may help with hand, wrist, and shoulder pain.

In a 2013 study, participants with rheumatoid arthritis in the upper limbs were randomly split into two groups: light-pressure massage, and moderate-pressure massage.

For four weeks, they received a weekly arm and shoulder massage from a massage therapist. They also spent some time each day self-massaging at home. The results showed that moderate-pressure massage was better for:

Easing pain

Increasing grip strength

Boosting range of motion in the wrist, elbows, and shoulders