In my shiatsu practise I work with several people suffering from osteoarthritis; a couple of them are relations of mine. My late grandfather also suffered from arthritis as does my uncle. When it came time in my shiatsu training to select a subject for my final project it seemed highly relevant that I chose arthritis as a subject for closer personal scrutiny.

Shiatsu is a therapy that uses pressure applied not only through the hands but also with the fingers and thumbs. Osteoarthritis has the popular tag of the wear and tear disease so it was important with my family history to discover how best to take care of myself in my future career.

There are many types of joint in the body but osteoarthritis mainly attacks a type known as the synovial joints. These are made up of a liquid filled capsule surrounded by a fibrous layer and held together by ligaments. The inside of the capsule is covered with a membrane that secretes the fluid into the joint. At the end of the two bones meeting at the joint is a layer of smooth cartilage.

The cartilage at the ends of the bones is only replaced very slowly and the rate at which it is replaced decreases with age. Osteoarthritis is a disease that attacks the cartilage and speeds up this natural erosion. The cartilage thins, becomes rough and so ends of the bones become less protected.

As the disease progresses the bones may start to touch and begin to wear. The body responds by growing more bone that appear as spurs changing the bone shape and causing deformities.

The conventional Western approach to osteoarthritis is to start treating with pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs. As the disease progresses and the drugs become less effective surgical options such as joint replacement or joint fusion might be considered.

Chinese medicine is based on the flow of energy, or Qi, around the body. Usually we think of Qi being held in channels or meridians like blood flowing around arteries and veins. In order to feed all the cells of the body some of the fluid and nutrients in the blood leave the ateries. In the same way Qi leaves the meridians to nourish the organs and structures of the body.

Pain in Chinese medicine is considered to be an blockage in the movement of Qi around the body. Arthritis is thus a problem with the movement of Qi in and out of the structure of the joint. A joint that is balanced will be free of pain and have unrestricted movement but if Qi exits too much then it will be rigid and painful. If Qi enters the joint too much then it will be weak and ache and adduction will be difficult.

The treatment of arthritis using Chinese theory is thus about restoring the flow of Qi through the joint. This may be done using acupuncture, herbs, or Chinese massage techniques.

Shiatsu is a Japanese technique but is based on the principles of Chinese medicine. It uses the same theory of Qi movement through the body. By combining pressure along the meridians, working acupuncture points with the fingers and thumbs with gentle opening stretches and movement Qi flow can be improved in damaged joints.

Client J came to see me with swollen and painful hands caused by osteoarthritis. She enjoyed country dancing but found that swapping partners during the dances was painful as each new partner took her hand. She was also unhappy that her wedding ring was stuck on her finger and was contemplating having it cut to remove it.

During the course of the treatment I gently worked her hands. Using gentle pressure and movement to open all the bones of the hand. I also worked into the fingers using such tiny movements in each of the finger joints to be barely perceptible.

That evening J’s wedding ring came off. Since that treatment she has been able to enjoy dancing with much reduced pain and swelling.

Client J’s condition is fairly advanced and our aim is to keep the pain and swelling manageable. To allow her to enjoy life to the full and not be a prisoner to arthritis.