Recent research has highlighted the potential benefits of massage therapy in managing symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA). This condition, which often involves pain and stiffness, has also been linked to the quadriceps muscles’ role in its development. While there is strong evidence supporting the impact of massage therapy and muscle health on knee OA, the specific application of self-massage on the quadriceps muscle has not been thoroughly explored.

In 2013,  Atkins, et. al., conducted study at the Lourdes Wellness Center in Collingswood, NJ, aimed to evaluate the effects of a self-massage intervention on the quadriceps muscle for individuals with diagnosed knee OA. Forty adults were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 21) or a control group (n = 19). The intervention group engaged in a narrated 20-minute self-massage therapy session twice weekly, with ten sessions supervised and three unsupervised. The control group, meanwhile, only underwent four supervised assessments without any intervention.

The effectiveness of the self-massage therapy was assessed using the Western Ontario and McMaster’s Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), which measures pain, stiffness, and physical function, as well as an evaluation of knee range of motion. These tools provided a comprehensive overview of the impact of the intervention on the participants’ symptoms and physical abilities.

The analysis of the WOMAC scores showed significant differences between the intervention and control groups in terms of pain, stiffness, and physical function, with the intervention group experiencing notable improvements (p < .05, n = 36). However, there were no significant changes observed in the knee range of motion between the two groups.

The findings suggest that self-massage therapy can significantly alleviate symptoms in individuals with knee OA, particularly in reducing pain and stiffness and improving function. While the results are promising, further research is needed to better understand the long-term effects of self-massage on the progression of knee OA and to refine the therapy for broader use.

Reference: Atkins, D. V., & Eichler, D. A. (2013). The effects of self-massage on osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled trial. International journal of therapeutic massage & bodywork, 6(1), 4.