Exploring Massage Benefits for Arthritis of the Knee

Inclusion Criteria: * 35 years of age or greater. * Written confirmation of OA of the knee as provided by the participant's physician. * Radiographically-established OA of the knee. * Pre-randomization rating within a certain range on the Visual Analog Pain Scale (0 - 100 mm scale). * Receiving care for diagnosed OA of the knee under the care of a board-certified primary care physician, with or without involvement of a board-certified rheumatologist. * Patients with bilateral knee involvement will have the more severely affected knee designated as the study knee. * American College of Rheumatology defined OA of the knee; specifically: a. Knee pain b. Satisfaction of at least three of the following six criteria: i. Age great than 50 years ii. Stiffness \< 30 minutes iii. Crepitus iv. Bony Tenderness v. Bony enlargement vi. No palpable warmth Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, recurrent or active pseudo gout. * Presence of cancer or other decompensated medical conditions that limit the ability to participate fully in all interventions, assessments, and follow-up visits. * Signs or history of kidney or liver failure. * Presence of asthma requiring the use of corticosteroid treatment. * Use of oral corticosteroids within the past four weeks. * Use of intra-articular knee depo-corticosteroids with the past three months. * Use of intra-articular hyaluronate with the past six months. * Arthroscopic surgery of the knee within the past year. * Significant injury to the knee within the past six months. * Presence of a rash or open wound over the knee. * Unable to satisfy the treatment and follow-up requirements. * Unable to provide written informed consent. * Currently receiving massage therapy on a regular basis (at least twice a month). * Knee replacement of study knee (ok if the knee not being studied has been replaced). * History of participating in the EMBARK Phase I or II studies.