Do you suffer from chronic joint pain? Relieve your joints and regain movement with the help of massage.
When joint pain becomes part of everyday life
There's something many of my clients share when they come to the center: they tell me they've had chronic joint pain for so long that they've come to see it as "normal." What's curious—and worrying—is that this normalization of pain is becoming more common. People of all ages, not just older people, get used to living with pain in their knees, shoulders, wrists, or hips without seeking a real solution.
Chronic joint pain not only affects movement, it also directly impacts the quality of life. It makes everyday tasks like climbing stairs, lifting your arms, or even sleeping difficult. Furthermore, the constant discomfort exhausts you mentally, generates frustration, and sometimes even a fear of moving, which makes the problem even worse.
Why is it so common? There are many reasons: a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture at work, old injuries that aren't healed properly, overuse of certain joints, or even stress, which strains the muscles that surround and protect them. Little by little, this overload turns into inflammation, stiffness, and pain.
But there is something important you should know: Although chronic pain is common, it does not have to be permanent. In many cases, with a good manual approach and a little attention to daily habits, it can be significantly relieved or even reversed.
Most common causes of chronic joint pain.
When a joint hurts for weeks or months, we often think it's "wear and tear" or "just a matter of getting older." But in reality, chronic joint pain can have many causes, and it's not always related to age. What's common is that it develops gradually, almost without us realizing it, until it becomes part of our routine.
The most common causes I usually see in the center are:
Repetitive overload
It is very common in people who do repetitive movements for work or sport: lifting weights, spending many hours in the same position, always using the mouse with the same hand... That continuous repetition wears down the joint and strains the muscles surrounding it , generating inflammation and pain.
Lack of mobility or sedentary lifestyle
Unlike the previous point, here the problem is the lack of movement. When we don't use a joint properly—as happens when we sit for long periods of time, for example—the tissues surrounding it weaken, and natural lubrication is lost. This can cause persistent stiffness and discomfort.
Poor posture and body imbalances
Sometimes the pain doesn't come from the joint directly, but from compensation. If you put more weight on one leg than the other, if you have mild scoliosis, or if your gait is misaligned, you may have certain joints suffer more than they should The body adapts, but over time, it complains.
Poorly treated old injuries
A twisted ankle, a fall, a bad gesture... can leave a lasting mark if not treated properly from the start. That area can become more rigid or sensitive, and over the years, lead to chronic pain. poor functional recovery .
Inflammatory or degenerative changes
In some cases, pain stems from internal processes such as osteoarthritis or rheumatic diseases. Although these cannot be "cured" with massage, they can be relieve your symptoms when the tissues involved are worked on appropriately.
Knowing the cause is the first step in knowing how to treat the problem. This way, I can choose the best way to help you regain mobility and reduce the pain that no longer needs to be a part of your daily life.
How chiromassage works in cases of joint pain
When there is pain in a joint, people often think that the problem is only “inside” that joint: worn cartilage, inflammation, etc. But in practice, what I notice time and time again is that the surrounding tissues are equally or more affected . Tight muscles, stiff ligaments, poor circulation… All of this directly influences how a joint moves—and hurts.
This is where massage therapy becomes a key tool.
The main objective is not to “cure” the joint, but create the conditions for it to work better and hurt less. How? By manually working on the tissues involved in movement and stability. Here's what we typically achieve with this treatment:
Relieve muscle tension around the joint.
When there is pain, the body tends to protect the area by contracting the nearby muscles. This, over time, creates more stiffness and pain. By relaxing those muscles with massage, the joint is released and movement improves .
Improve circulation and reduce local inflammation.
Through gentle but deep maneuvers, the flow of blood and lymph is stimulated, which helps to reduce inflammation and eliminate toxins that may be irritating the area.
Regain lost mobility
Massage not only relaxes, it also mobilizes. When we carefully work on areas like shoulders, knees, or hips, flexibility and range of motion are gained , which reduces pain when using the joint.
Reduce the sensitivity of the nervous system
In cases of chronic pain, the nervous system is more reactive. Well-applied manual contact can modulate that sensitivity , making the pain feel less intense.
Massage acts as a facilitator: it does not “fix” the joint directly, but it does improves the environment around it So you can move more freely, with less pressure and greater comfort. And when your body moves well, pain decreases.
Most commonly treated joint areas and how they are relieved with massage.
Although any joint can be affected by chronic joint pain, there are some areas that are repeatedly mentioned in consultations. Each has its own way of experiencing pain, and also its own way of responding to manual treatment. The interesting thing is that, in all of them, chiromassage can be a very useful tool. reduce discomfort, improve mobility and return the body to its natural rhythm .
Knees: relieve strain and regain movement
Knee pain is often related to muscle overload in the quadriceps, hamstrings, or hip muscles. When these areas are tense, the knee suffers more. Massage can release this tension and the joint regains fluidity , allowing you to walk or climb stairs with less pain.
Hips: Unlock stiffness and improve posture
The hip is a key area for the body's stability. When pain occurs, it is often accompanied by stiffness in the glutes, lower back, or deep muscles. By relaxing these areas, massage helps improve pelvic mobility and reduce compensations that cause discomfort when standing or walking.
Shoulders: release tension and restore range of motion
The shoulder is a complex joint, highly mobile but also very vulnerable. Pain often comes from accumulated tension in the neck, trapezius, and scapula. Massage in these areas helps regain range of motion and relieve feelings of heaviness or tightness that so many people feel when they move their arm.
Wrists and hands: loosen tension from repetitive use
Pain in the wrist, forearm, or base of the thumb is common in people who work with computers, cell phones, or hand tools. Massage of the forearm and palm muscles helps. release tension and reduce the feeling of stiffness or numbness .
Ankles and feet: activate circulation and release stiffness
Although often forgotten, the feet are our foundation. If there's pain or stiffness in the ankles, the entire body becomes unbalanced. Massage in this area Improves joint mobility, activates circulation and provides a very pleasant feeling of lightness.
Every joint has its own needs, and a massage tailored to each individual allows for pain relief without forcing the body, respecting its limits. That's why I always insist on listening to what the body is asking for before applying any technique.
When is it advisable to combine chiromassage with osteopathy?
Although chiromassage offers very effective relief in many cases of joint pain, there are situations in which the problem is not only in the muscles or soft tissues. Sometimes, the origin of the pain is in a deeper structural imbalance : a misaligned joint, an unbalanced pelvis, a vertebral blockage… That's where osteopathy can make a difference.
Osteopathy works on the body as a whole. Its goal is not only to relieve pain, but also restore mobility and overall balance , acting on bones, joints, fascia, and even organs when necessary. When combined with chiromassage, the effect is multiplied, because both the symptoms and the root of the problem are addressed.
Here I tell you when I usually recommend combining both therapies:
– When the pain does not improve completely with massage alone
If after several sessions the relief is partial or very temporary, there may be a joint block or postural imbalance. Osteopathy can detect and correct this imbalance.
– When there is rigidity or lack of structural mobility
Some people feel their body is "unresponsive," even if the pain is not very acute. In these cases, the combination of deep manual techniques with gentle osteopathic adjustments can regain lost mobility and prevent the body from compensating with overloads in other areas.
– When there is discomfort in several joints at the same time
If several joints hurt (e.g. knees, shoulders, and lower back), it's likely that the body is functioning in an uncoordinated way. Osteopathy helps here. reorganize the global system , while chiromassage relieves local symptoms.
– In cases of chronic pain with visceral or emotional origin
Some joint discomfort is related to more complex internal tensions: digestive, respiratory, or even emotional. In these cases, an osteopathic approach allows work from within , while massage supports from the physical and emotional aspects.
When chiromassage and osteopathy are combined, they do not combine forces: they complement each other , each performing where the other falls short. The body notices and responds more quickly, deeply, and sustainably.
Tips to take care of your joints between sessions
Manual treatment is very effective, but its effect is enhanced if the patient also collaborates from home. The good news is that it doesn't require any major efforts: with small daily habits , you can reduce pain, prevent relapses, and improve your joint mobility over the long term.
Here I share some simple recommendations that I usually give to my patients:
Move, but don't force it
Gentle movement is key to maintaining healthy joints. Walking, stretching, or making slow circular movements helps the joint remains active and lubricated The important thing is to avoid a sedentary lifestyle, but also to avoid pushing your body beyond what it can handle at that moment.
Hydrate well
It may seem like a minor thing, but good hydration is essential for joint health. Cartilage, intervertebral discs, and tissues need water to maintain their elasticity and strength. Drinking water regularly helps nourish the joints from within .
Use heat or cold as appropriate.
- If there is muscle stiffness or tension , dry heat (such as a heating pad) helps to relax and improve blood flow.
- If there is inflammation or more acute pain , applying local cold for a few minutes can reduce inflammation and provide relief.
Knowing when to apply each one marks the difference between getting better and getting worse .
Take care of your posture when sleeping and sitting
Poor posture for long periods of time is one of the most common causes of joint pain. Try to use pillows that support your cervical spine, support your back well when sitting, and, if you work long hours at a desk, get up from time to time. Good posture prevents overload .
Listen to your body
Don't get used to the pain. If a joint starts to hurt more than usual or if you notice you're losing mobility, don't let it pass Sometimes, a small inconvenience in time can prevent a chronic injury later on.
Caring for your joints isn't complicated, but it does require attention. And if you give your body what it needs—movement, rest, hydration, and good treatment—it responds. Massage can help get you started, but lasting change begins with what you do between sessions.
Listening to your joints is taking care of yourself
Living with chronic joint pain shouldn't be "normal," even though many people have learned to live with it. Sometimes the body endures so much that we forget what it feels like to be well... until we experience it again.
Chiromassage offers a direct and respectful way to relieve that pain, without forcing, without invading and without side effects Through manual labor, the body regains mobility, inflammation is reduced, and—most importantly—it feels cared for again. If it's combined with a more holistic approach, such as osteopathy, and with conscious daily habits, the results are even more lasting.
Our joints support us, move us, and connect us to the world. Listening to them, caring for them, and giving them what they need isn't a whim; it's a way of life. respect the body and improve our quality of life .
And remember: you don't have to wait until the pain becomes unbearable. The sooner you start taking care of yourself, the sooner you'll start to notice the difference.
In Quiroessence We believe that balance between body and mind is cultivated every day. Our massage, osteopathy, and yoga center is located in the heart of Granada, just a five-minute walk from the Cathedral.
If you're looking for a space to take care of yourself, relax, and reconnect, we'd love to welcome you.
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