How Massage Therapy Can Affect Psoriasis

According to those in the scientific and medical fields, skin is considered the largest organ of the integumentary system. It has the appearance of being the largest organ, this only applies to the actual exterior surface as there are internal organs that have more surface area than the skin. It does weigh more than any other internal organ, accounting for almost 15 percent of body weight in a human. It is made up of multiple layers of epithelial tissues that guard underlying muscles and organs.

Skin encounters the elements of everyday living, so its most important function is in protecting the body against pathogens and other substances that would disrupt homeostasis. It also has an incredible amount of jobs that are important to keeping a body working. For example, the skin is in charge of synthesis of vitamin D, insulation, temperature regulation, sensation and protection of vitamin B. It is also crucial to maintain a healthy skin because it is a person's first defense against illness, microbes and other harmful substances.

If an individual's skin were to be injured it would develop scar tissue or in some cases, not regenerate or over regenerate. There are numerous diseases which affect the skin and make it unhealthy. These diseases subject the skin to constant attacks and it can wear a person down to deal with this situation. A form of such disease is called an autoimmune disease or immune-mediated disease. It is a condition where the immune system overreacts due to an unfavourable stimulus and starts attacking the body. Psoriasis is one example of this type of disease.

Psoriasis is one of the longest known skin disorders of humans and is one of the most misunderstood. In the Biblical times it was mistaken as a form of leprosy. It is easy to understand why this was a popular thought as the medical field back in those days did not have the advanced technology to figure out what the disorder really was. The Greeks came along and gave this disease a proper name, psora, which means "to itch". An anatomy and physiology text book describes psoriasis as being the following: "common and chronic skin disorder in which keratinocytes divide and move more quickly than normal from the stratum basale to the stratum corneum; shed prematurely in as little as 7 to 10 days; immature keratinocytes that make abnormal keratin".

Psoriasis can appear thickened patches of angry and red skin that itches, bleeds, causes discomfort and is sometimes accompanied by painful joint swelling and stiffness. It is a chronic disease that has remission periods and relapses. It varies in intensity from a outbreak so bad that it covers the entire body and requires hospitialization to a few random spots that are like freckles. The skin cells can multiply every day to every week, build up, and look like silvery patches of scales.

There are seven types of psoriasis, but only three are seen often. The most common form is Plaque psoriasis. It affects 80 to 90 percent of those affected by psoriasis. It appears as raised areas of inflamed skin covered with silvery white scaly skin. Another common type of psoriasis is Guttate psoriasis which is characterized by numerous small oval or teardrop shaped spots. Guttate psoriasis can appear over large areas of the body, such areas include: trunk limbs and scalp. It also is associated with a strep throat infection. The third common type of psoriasis is called Pustular psoriasis, which appears as raised bumps that are filled with non-infectious pus. The area surrounding the pustules is red and can be tender. This type of the disorder can be localised, most commonly found on the hands and feet or generalised with widespread patches occuring randomly.

Other forms of psoriasis include, Flexural psoriasis, Nail psoriasis, Erythrodermic psoriasis and Psoriatic arthritis. Flexural psoriasis appears as smooth inflamed patches that occur in skin folds. It is vunerable to fungal infections and is aggravated by friction and sweat. Nail psoriasis produces a variety of changes in the appearance of finger and toe nails. Erythrodermic psoriasis involves a widespread inflammation and exfliation of the skin. This type of psoriasis can be fatal as the extreme inflammation and exfoliation can disrupt the body's ability to regulate temperature and for the skin to perform barrier functions. Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints and connective tissue.

Psoriasis roughly affects between 2 to 3 percent of the world's population or an estimate 125 million people. Out of that huge number, it has been estimated that 5.8 to 7.5 million of those people are Americans. Male and females have it and age is not a factor with this condition. The majority of cases of psoriasis are mild, which affects 68% of the population living with the condition. Moderate cases affect 25% and only 8% are severe. There is a 2% of cases that are mild or nonexistent due to systemic medication or other means of science.

Living with psoriasis is not an easy thing to do as it affects physical health, mental health and can be a financial burden as well. It's not merely a cosmetic factor but a large problem for everyday life. There are discomforts and disabilities from outbreaks. Itching and pain can interfere with even the basic activities of everyday life. Depression and isolation from others due to personal appearance even can be a problem. Psoriasis can even inhibit individuals from working certain occupations and playing sports. The frequency of medical need is costly and can interfere with employment or schooling. Psoriasis can make an individual feel very self-conscious about the way that they look. A person could also feel that people will reject them in some way. Psoriasis can become quite consuming, leading a person to manually remove the plaque from their bodies which can cause bleeding and potential infection.

The treatments for psoriasis vary from patient to patient. Dermatologists try a trial-and-error approach to helping those who have psoriasis. Certain treatments depend on the type, location, extent and severity of the psoriasis outbreak. There are also factors concerning the patient that are taken into consideration when deciding on a treatment. The preference to use medications with a low potential for adverse reactions are the first to be administered to a person. Usually, topical treatments, such as medicated creams or ointments are given. If this type of treatment fails then the skin would then be exposed to ultraviolet light or phototherapy treatment. The third step involves use of medications which are taken internally by pill or injection. This type of treatment is called a systemic treatment. A systemic treatment is considered dangerous because as the drugs increase in effectiveness they also increase in toxicity.

Alternative treatments for psoriasis include using zinc oxide, climatotherapy, kengal fish, swimming in tropical sea or salt water, herbology, and living a healthy lifestyle could help keep this disease in remission. Massage can be used also to help those afflicted with psoriasis.

Massage has been used for centuries to help relieve any type of illness. In the days of Hippocrates, doctors were instructed to rub olive oil into the skin of those who had psoriasis. The olive oil would soothe the dry skin while the massage would relieve tension in the individual. Massage also allows a psoriasis sufferer to be touch which is a need that can increase during an outbreak. Massage can also promote the flow of lymphatic fluid, lowers levels of stress hormones and boot productive endorphins which can help with the pain of psoriasis. There are no contraindications for psoriasis but it is important to understand that a spot might be sore and tender. It is always good for a massage therapist to check with their client about their psoriasis.

There is no cure for psoriasis but there are factors that can control how severe the outbreaks become. Medication or homeopathic ways can be taken to limit it. Massage, although cannot take away the plaques, it can help the suffering of a person with psoriasis by improving many body functions and stress of someone who has psoriasis.