What Are the Benefits of Massage for Lupus?
Lupus is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body attacks itself as if it were a foreign body--like a virus--that poses a health threat. People who have lupus, also referred to as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), do not all show the same symptoms. The disease can affect muscles, joints, the skin and other organs throughout the body. Common symptoms of lupus can include a rash, fever, muscle pain and kidney dysfunction. In addition to medications to help keep lupus symptoms in check, alternative methods such as massage can be beneficial to lupus sufferers.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Pain Relief
Pain relief is a benefit that some people with lupus may experience through massage therapy. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, massage may not be appropriate for those who have a form of the condition called cutaneous lupus, as the touch to the skin may actually aggravate symptoms 1. However, patients who do not display skin involvement may be ideal candidates for massage.
According to the New York chapter of the SLE Lupus Foundation, massage releases endorphins, which are the body's natural pain relievers 1. The bodywork can also relieve physical tension in the muscles that may be contributing to pain.
- Pain relief is a benefit that some people with lupus may experience through massage therapy.
- According to the Lupus Foundation of America, massage may not be appropriate for those who have a form of the condition called cutaneous lupus, as the touch to the skin may actually aggravate symptoms 1.
Improves Systemic Function
Vitamin B-6 and Raynaud's Disease
Learn More
Massage can be beneficial to circulation and other bodily systems that may be affected by lupus, including the kidneys, according to the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.) The manipulation of the body during massage, similar to that of acupuncture or acupressure, may promote better circulation and encourage the cleansing organs of the liver and kidneys to function more effectively. Health Research Today explains that a type of massage therapy called reflexology uses manipulation of the feet to improve circulation in lupus patients. The massaging of tissues during several types of massage can help oxygen and other nutrients feed the body's tissues, enabling the organs to perform at a higher rate of function.
- Massage can be beneficial to circulation and other bodily systems that may be affected by lupus, including the kidneys, according to the Edgar Cayce Association for Research and Enlightenment (A.R.E.)
- The manipulation of the body during massage, similar to that of acupuncture or acupressure, may promote better circulation and encourage the cleansing organs of the liver and kidneys to function more effectively.
Reduces Stress
A massage is relaxing to most people, and this is no exception to people who have lupus. The physical relaxation and rubbing of the muscles not only releases endorphins to conquer pain, but also helps damaged muscles leave some of their tension behind. Stress--both physical and emotional--can cause a person to tense up, leaving him more open to inflammation and aching muscles. The physical nature of the massaging touch can invigorate the spirit as well as the body, and leaves some of the stress of chronic illness behind. The spring 2005 issue of "Lupus Now" magazine explains that some complementary therapies, like massage, give patients the boost they need to manage their condition more effectively because they are more relaxed.
- A massage is relaxing to most people, and this is no exception to people who have lupus.
- The physical relaxation and rubbing of the muscles not only releases endorphins to conquer pain, but also helps damaged muscles leave some of their tension behind.
Related Articles
References
- Lupus Foundation of America: Your Skin and Lupus
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Updated October 17, 2018.
- Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus facts and statistics. Updated October 6, 2016.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lupus in women. Updated October 17, 2018.
- Maidhof W, Hilas O. Lupus: an overview of the disease and management options. P T. 2012;37(4):240-9.
- Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus facts and statistics. Updated October 6, 2016.
- Lupus Foundation of America. About cutaneous lupus. Updated July 12, 2013.
- Barbhaiya M, Costenbader KH. Environmental exposures and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2016;28(5):497-505. doi:10.1097/BOR.0000000000000318
- Grönhagen CM, Nyberg F. Cutaneous lupus erythematosus: An update. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2014;5(1):7-13. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.126020
- Johns Hopkins Lupus Center. Lupus-specific skin disease and skin problems.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lupus symptoms. Updated October 17, 2018.
- Harley JB, Chen X, Pujato M, et al. Transcription factors operate across disease loci, with EBNA2 implicated in autoimmunity. Nat Genet. 2018;50(5):699-707. doi:10.1038/s41588-018-0102-3
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosing and treating lupus. Updated October 17, 2018.
- Lupus Foundation of America. Medications used to treat lupus. Updated July 12, 2013.
- Navarrete-navarrete N, Peralta-ramírez MI, Sabio-sánchez JM, et al. Efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for the treatment of chronic stress in patients with lupus erythematosus: a randomized controlled trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2010;79(2):107-15. doi:10.1159/000276370
- Greco CM, Nakajima C, Manzi S. Updated review of complementary and alternative medicine treatments for systemic lupus erythematosus. Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2013;15(11):378. doi:10.1007/s11926-013-0378-3
- Lupus Foundation of America. Smoking and lupus: It's never too late to quit.
- Zhang L, Fu T, Yin R, Zhang Q, Shen B. Prevalence of depression and anxiety in systemic lupus erythematosus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry. 2017;17(1):70. doi:10.1186/s12888-017-1234-1
- Olesińska M, Saletra A. Quality of life in systemic lupus erythematosus and its measurement. Reumatologia. 2018;56(1):45-54. doi:10.5114/reum.2018.74750
- Maidhof W, Hilas O. Lupus: an overview of the disease and management options. P T. 2012;37(4):240-9.
- Lupus Foundation of America. How Lupus Affects the Skin.
Writer Bio
Erica Roth has been a writer since 2007. She is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and was a college reference librarian for eight years. Roth earned a Bachelor of Arts in French literature from Brandeis University and Master of Library Science from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Her articles appear on various websites.