Gentle massage for arthritic hands and an older partner
By Steffen Hoyemsvoll, Founder, Spoken MassageUpdated 6 min read
To massage arthritic hands, warm them first, then use slow, moderate pressure on the fleshy parts (the palm, the pad below the thumb and the muscle between the bones) and only a light touch over swollen or knobbly joints. Stroke gently along each finger rather than pulling or cracking it, and stop at anything that hurts. The Arthritis Foundation advises checking with a doctor first and going carefully during a flare, when joints are hot, swollen or especially tender.
Can massage help arthritic hands?
Many people with arthritis find a gentle hand massage soothing. The Arthritis Foundation points to studies such as one in which people with knee osteoarthritis who had a weekly massage reported significant improvements in pain and mobility, and it recommends moderate rather than very light pressure. The US National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes the research as limited, with benefits that tend to be short-term.
So treat it as comfort, not treatment. The NHS notes that osteoarthritis most often affects the knees, hips and the small joints of the hands, and a few quiet minutes of warmth and touch can make stiff hands feel easier, alongside whatever a GP or rheumatologist recommends.
How is massaging an older partner different?
Skin gets thinner with age and bruises more easily, especially for anyone taking blood thinners, so pressure that suits a younger back may be too much. Bones can be more fragile too: the NHS notes that osteoporosis mainly affects older people and often goes unnoticed until a minor knock causes a fracture.
NCCIH notes that the rare serious problems linked to massage have mostly involved vigorous techniques or people at higher risk of injury, such as older adults. That points to a simple approach: slower, lighter and seated, with plenty of checking in. Choose a position that is easy to get in and out of, such as an armchair, rather than lying face down on a low bed.
How do you give a gentle hand massage, step by step?
Sit facing each other or side by side, and rest their hand on a cushion on their lap so their arm is fully supported. A little unscented lotion helps your hands move without dragging the skin.
- Warm the hand: hold it between both of yours for a few breaths, then stroke slowly from wrist to fingertips on both sides
- Work the palm: with their palm up, make slow thumb circles across the palm and the fleshy pad below the thumb, at a moderate pressure
- Ease between the bones: on the back of the hand, slide your thumb gently along the grooves between the long bones, from the knuckles towards the wrist
- Stroke each finger: hold each finger lightly at the base and slide gently to the tip, without pulling, twisting or cracking the joints
- Finish with a hold: wrap the hand in both of yours for a few seconds before moving to the other one
How much pressure is right for arthritic hands?
Moderate on the muscle, light over the joints. The Arthritis Foundation quotes researcher Tiffany Field on using moderate pressure, noting that very light pressure can be stimulating rather than relaxing. On a 1 to 10 scale, aim for a comfortable 3 to 5 on the palm and the pad of the thumb.
Over knuckles and finger joints, especially swollen or knobbly ones, use no more than a feather-light stroke. The rule a rheumatologist gives in that same Arthritis Foundation piece is a good one to keep: if it hurts, do not do it.
What about the rest of the body?
The same principles carry over. Seated shoulder kneading at a gentle pressure and a slow foot massage with them in an armchair are both comfortable choices for an older partner.
Avoid firm pressure on the spine, ribs and hips, and anywhere bones may be fragile. Keep to gentle stroking over varicose veins and thin, papery skin. For legs and feet, never massage a calf that is painful, swollen, warm or red, as that can be a sign of a blood clot. If your partner has reduced feeling in their feet, for example from diabetes, keep pressure especially light, since they may not be able to tell you when it is too much.
When should you skip it or check with a doctor?
Check with a GP or rheumatologist before starting, especially with rheumatoid arthritis or any inflammatory condition. Then skip massage on any day, or any joint, with:
- A flare: joints that are hot, red, swollen or more painful than usual
- A fever, or a skin rash, cut or infection on the area
- A recent fall, fracture or joint operation
- Pain that gets worse during or after massage
For anyone on blood thinners, keep pressure very light and watch for bruising the next day. This is relaxation between partners, not medical care.
Frequently asked questions
Is massage good for arthritis in the hands?
Many people find it soothing, and the Arthritis Foundation recommends moderate pressure and points to studies linking massage with less pain and better mobility in osteoarthritis. Research is limited and benefits tend to be short-term, so treat it as comfort alongside medical care, and check with a doctor first.
Should you massage swollen arthritic joints?
No. Leave hot, red or swollen joints alone, especially during a flare, and use only a feather-light stroke over knobbly joints at any time. Moderate pressure belongs on the muscle of the palm and the pad of the thumb, not on the joints themselves.
How do you massage an elderly person safely?
Go slower and lighter than you would for a younger adult, keep them seated or comfortably supported, and check in often. Skin bruises more easily and bones may be fragile, so avoid firm pressure on the spine, ribs and hips, and stop at anything that hurts.
What should you use to massage older skin?
A little unscented lotion or a light, plain oil helps your hands move without dragging thin skin. Avoid strongly scented products and essential oils, and skip any broken, irritated or very fragile patches of skin.
How often can you massage arthritic hands?
Short and regular works well: a few gentle minutes on each hand most days, if it feels good and does not leave the joints sorer. Skip it during a flare, and stop if pain increases afterwards.
Sources: Arthritis Foundation: Benefits of massage, Arthritis Foundation: Benefits of hand massage for arthritis, NHS: Osteoarthritis, NCCIH: Massage therapy, what you need to know