Arthritis is a painful condition causing tenderness, pain, swelling, and stiffness in one or more joints. It can occur anywhere in the body, including the feet and jaw. Affected joints can look red, with a limited range of motion. The condition in all forms can be debilitating, making daily activities, including walking and sitting, demanding, and in severe instances, joints can lose shape and alignment.
More About Arthritis
Several types include osteoarthritis and inflammatory conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degeneration of the cartilage covering the bones, causing the joints to grind against each other. It can be caused by aging, overuse, infection, injury, or nutritional deficiencies. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory, autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joints, damaging the linings and, eventually, the bone.
Other types of arthritis can result from gout, infections, and underlying systemic conditions. These can include psoriatic, reactive, septic, and juvenile idiopathic arthritis, scleroderma, cervical spondylosis, and ankylosing spondylitis.
According to the CDC’s 2021 National Health Interview Survey, around one in every five American adults (over 53 million people) lives with some form of arthritis. The most prevalent type is osteoarthritis (OA), impacting 32.5 million US adults – 61% of those with the disease.
Risk runs in families, increases with age and weight and tends to affect biological females more than biological males. In addition, people with previous joint injuries from sports or accidents or who do work requiring repeated squatting or bending are more likely to develop arthritis.
How is Arthritis Treated?
Arthritis is usually chronic and incurable but can be managed. Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, especially pain, and enhance quality of life. Therapies differ depending on the type of arthritis diagnosed, with multifaceted cause frequency and diverse types often co-occurring. These overlaps can make treatment complex.
Beyond oral and injectable anti-inflammatories, immune suppressive medications, knee, hip, and shoulder replacement surgery, appropriate physical therapy often alleviates pain and discomfort. Physical therapy modalities include strengthening, stretching, general fitness, and proprioceptive (coordination and balance) exercises to help increase muscle strength, joint mobility, and flexibility.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and avoiding joint injury are essential to preventing and treating arthritis. Those with the condition can safely swim, do aqua fitness, walk, dance, practice tai chi and yoga, and enjoy gardening.
Your medical professional may also suggest transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for pain, have you wear supportive splints, or apply topical pain relievers. They may also recommend acupuncture or massage, provided by them as a service, massage exercises you can apply at home.
Why Embrace Hand Massage?
The benefits of hand massage for those with arthritis are numerous. This type of massage may help boost circulation and reduce pain, depression, and anxiety. It may also improve the immune system, enhance sleep quality, and build strength. The approach is scientifically validated, with recent survey findings showing that hand massage and Reiki (energy healing) significantly reduced fatigue and pain among those with RAs.
What Is a Hand Massage?
Massage therapy is non-invasive, holistic, natural, and simple to apply – including self-massage – with no side effects. Self-massage for those with hand arthritis includes:
- Ensure you’re comfortable: Many find that sitting comfortably with one hand on a table when using the other to massage is helpful and supportive.
- Hand massage: Place the thumb on top of the wrist and the index finger underneath, and apply moderate pressure from the wrist and palm to the tip of each finger. Also, massage the webbing between each finger using your forefinger and thumb to stimulate this immune-strengthening acupuncture point.
- Forearm massage: Hold your forearm with fingers on top and thumb underneath – massage from the wrist to the elbow and back, applying moderate pressure.
Massaging the hands and forearms can help relax muscles and ease stiff and sore joints. At the same time, if it’s painful to use your hands, massaging yourself with adequate pressure and for long enough may be challenging. According to the Elsevier Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, those with the condition can have up to 75% less hand strength than those without the disease. Instead, people with arthritis in the hands can use an electric hand massager to help find some relief.
What Is a Hand Massager?
An electric hand massager is an enclosed device large enough to accommodate your hand and wrist. It uses air pressure to create compression, vibration, a kneading motion, heat, or a combination to help relieve stiffness, numbness, and soreness.
The machines are ergonomically designed to fit the hand, usually with different adjustable intensity levels. Many hand massagers are portable and rechargeable, perfect for use at home, at the office, or when traveling.
How To Choose the Best Hand Massager for Arthritis?
Hand massagers come in assorted designs, sizes, and shapes with various functionalities. Hence, choosing the best hand massager for arthritis involves considering several factors, including:
- Size and design: Most essential is a massager that fits your hand comfortably to ensure effectiveness, include key acupressure points, and avoid discomfort. Many options are customizable to help with fit.
- Massage techniques: The best option usually offers several types of massage motion, including kneading, rolling compression, and vibration. A choice of modalities is beneficial when addressing different areas of hands and arms.
- Adjustable settings: Opt for a hand massager with adjustable speed and intensity to customize your comfort level.
- Heat setting: Heat therapy is beneficial for increasing blood circulation and soothing pain, so look for an option with this feature.
- Convenience: If you need to carry the massager, look for a lightweight, cordless, battery-powered, or rechargeable model for convenience and portability.
To help you make the best choice, explore hand massagers from reputable brands and read and consider online product reviews and ratings. Also, opt for products with reliable customer support and a warranty that offers value for money within your budget.
Best Choices for a Hand Massager for Arthritis
User feedback is valuable in selecting the best hand massager for arthritis. So, here are five Woman’s World recommendations to consider, all available from Amazon:
Lunix LX3 Cordless Electric Hand Massager
[amazon box=”B07NDF3ZGQ” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7138″ id=”5265″]
This highly-rated device from American manufacturer Lunix uses air compression to simulate an acupuncture-like experience and boosts blood circulation. It also offers heat therapy (up to a soothing 104 degrees) with six customizable massage intensity levels, including vibration. Available in black and white.
| What We Like: | What we don’t like: |
Adjustable settings Six massage options Pressure-point therapy Heat therapy Adjustable settings Six massage options Pressure-point therapy Heat therapy Massage and compression beyond wrist-line | More expensive Reported malfunctions No rolling massage function May not suit all hand types |
RENPHO Hand Massager With Heat
[amazon box=”B099KL8HNW” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7139″ id=”5469″]
The RENPHO hand massager offers four therapy types. It applies pressure through the hand and fingers using variable intensities with six adjustable massage modes and palm area heating. Available in black and white.
| What We Like: | What we don’t like: |
| Six massage modes Six intensities Shiatsu massage therapy | Mainly compression Short battery life May not be warm enough for some |
Breo iPalm520 Electric Massager
[amazon box=”B07HNSK29D” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7140″ id=”5241″]
This hand massager from a wellness industry leader offers patented acupressure and reflexology massage combined with therapeutic heat. The device offers four modes, including spot massage.
| What We Like: | What we don’t like: |
| Reflexology-based Heats to 107 degrees Touchscreen LCD | Not suitable for large hands Pressure may be too intense for some Mainly compression |
CINCOM Rechargeable Hand Massager
[amazon box=”B09L5NG2JH” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7141″ id=”5501″]
This convenient device offers various massage options and therapeutic heat for relaxation and relief.
| What We Like: | What we don’t like: |
| Massages hands and wrists Acupuncture point pressure Four massage modes Long battery life Suitable even for larger hands | Some settings may be too intense Heat may not be widespread enough May not be warm enough for some Malfunction reports |
Comfier Wireless Hand Massager
[amazon box=”B07ZPV5HDF” template=”horizontal” link_id=”7142″ id=”5329″]
The Comfier Wireless Hand Massager uses rhythm pressure up and down the hand while individually massaging each digit. With three heat and pressure settings, the device relaxes the whole hand while boosting blood flow. It’s also large enough to accommodate all hand sizes.
| What We Like: | What we don’t like: |
| The price Massages individual fingers Robust and stable frame Relies on rhythm pressure Three massage, intensity, and heating options Warms up to 140 degrees | May not offer enough heat for some Mainly compression Not ideal for thumb arthritis |
You can also try vibrating gloves, massage balls or handheld percussion massage devices.
Find Relief Today With the Best Hand Massager for Arthritis
We wish you well in selecting your cordless hand massager and hope our blog is helpful. For severe cases of arthritis, always consult your medical professional for product advice.
