Abstract
M.Tech. (Somatology)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered a degenerative form of arthritis that affects the smooth cartilage covering the ends of bone (Sharma, 2006; Flynn & Ohnson, 2007). It is currently estimated to be the leading cause of musculoskeletal disability and pain amongst those 65 years and older (McKay et al., 2012; Vuolteenaho et al., 2013). Disease progression is slow as smooth cartilage at the ends of bone is worn away causing painful bone on bone friction. Any joint may be affected, the hips, spine, knees, small bones of the fingers and the base of the thumbs are commonly affected.
Massage therapy is an age old practice that may be dated back to the ancient Roman, Geek and Egyptian dynasties (Braun & Simonson, 2008). Massage once formed a significant part of mainstream medical and nursing occupations, forming the basis for present day physiotherapy. To this day, numerous occupations still incorporate various aspects of massage (Casanelia & Stelfox, 2010). Swedish massage or Remedial massage, as still used today, found its origins in the early 19th century during the “Swedish Movement Cure”. Henrik Ling coined the phrase “Swedish Massage” when he developed a series of movements that he used in the treatment of various conditions and ailments. Ling did however not intend for these movements to be done for extended and frequent periods of time, which is necessary when it is ones occupation, and by the conclusion of the 19th century it was found that therapists were already presenting with strain injuries (Prichard, 2007).
Western massage has been adapted into numerous forms over the past 100 years. Pyves (2001) explains that the early techniques were not intended to be used for prolonged and frequent sessions. Such massage sessions, he feels, may be to the detriment of the therapist. Prichard (2007) explains that the massage therapist experiences physical problems that arise mostly from cumulative effects. Cumulative joint stress may be caused by the awkward, physically stressful and/ or repetitive movements whilst applying pressure. Individual injuries or strains may over months or years accumulate into an overuse injury (Prichard, 2007). Many other occupations have been identified as inducing a greater risk for the development of OA, such as the agricultural sector (Thelin et al., 2004), the housekeeping industry (Caspi et al., 2001; Rossignol et al., 2003 and Vingard et al., 1991), the construction industry (Dillon et al., 2002; O’Reilly et al., 2000 and Sandmark et al., 2000), the clothing industry (Rossignol et al., 2005) and the occupation of physiotherapy (Snodgrass & Rivett, 2002)...