Massage for Osteoarthritis Relief in NYC

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting over 30 million adults in the U.S. and increasing steadily with age. (StatPearls – NIH 2023)
• OA involves gradual cartilage thinning, joint space narrowing, and changes in surrounding bone — but pain is often driven more by soft‑tissue tension and movement restriction than by cartilage loss alone.
• Muscles, fascia, ligaments, and joint capsules around arthritic joints often tighten protectively, reducing circulation and further limiting motion.
• As joints lose mobility, the body compensates elsewhere — for example:
  • Hip OA can increase stress on the low back and knees
  • Knee OA often shifts load into the ankles and feet
  • Shoulder or hand OA commonly affects neck and upper‑back mechanics
• Many people notice stiffness after rest, reduced confidence with movement, and a gradual loss of function rather than sharp pain.

 

For example, clients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis are often told—or assume—that worsening symptoms are inevitable. In reality, targeted soft‑tissue work frequently produces noticeable symptom relief. At Bodyworks DW, we treat osteoarthritis as a movement and load‑management problem. Improving how forces move through the body often reduces pain and slows functional decline.