Most adults consider massage therapy for aches, strains and stress relief. Heavy work loads, sports injuries or existing medical issues can often be aided with the help of a registered massage therapist.
It often gets overlooked, however, that many teens and young adults can suffer from muscle aches and strains that could be successfully soothed with professional massage. If there’s a high school or university student in your life that suffers from pain attributed to muscle tension, you may wish to recommend massage therapy. Chances are we can alleviate pain and relieve stress to help them get on with their busy lives.
Dealing with Sports Injuries
Most teenagers and young adults are involved in sport or physical activities. This is great news because it provides great exercise and builds an excellent framework for lifelong fitness. The reality is, many sports can result in injury – either repetitive use in nature, or acute traumas causing pain and inflammation. Massage therapy can be a positive addition to a holistic health regime, relieving muscle strains and tension.
Growth and Development
As young people grow, there can be aches and pains associated with the rapid changes in their physique. Even normal growth patterns can be problematic for youth who find themselves stretching out at a significant pace. For these kids, it can be helpful to add massage into their health care routine to relax their strained muscles and help them adjust as they grow.
Some kids reaching adolescence discover the onset of developmental issues such as scoliosis or Osgood Schlatter disease. While manageable as a medical concern, these disorders can often cause pain and discomfort in knees, hips, joints and the supporting muscular systems due to new and uncomfortable movement patterns. Massage therapy can bring welcome relief to these patients who may suffer from significant discomfort.
Stress and Anxiety
Massage therapy is a common treatment for stress and anxiety for people of all ages. Students can benefit from the help of an RMT to help with relaxation, stress management and an overall sense of well-being. The benefits of massage are well known in the mental health community, and teenagers and young adults are perfect candidates for this non-invasive, non-medicinal approach to stress and anxiety.
Existing Medical Problems
Teenagers and young adults who are dealing with existing medical challenges can be saddled with pain and tension that is often seen as unavoidable. These patients often find significant relief of muscle aches and strain through the use of massage therapy:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus
- Cerebral Palsy
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Sleep Disturbances and Insomnia
Many young people experience difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. This can be attributed to a number of different factors, including screen time, stress, hormones, and poor sleep routines. Massage therapy can help to relax the mind and body and contribute to better overall sleep. Your RMT can also give you techniques and exercises to use at home to help promote good sleep hygiene.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance plans will cover some or all of massage therapy treatment for teenagers and young adults provided that the service is completed by a registered massage therapist and that the primary care physician has provided a written prescription for massage therapy. If you or someone in your family could benefit from massage, speak to your family doctor and insurance company to get the most out of your coverage.
At Achieve Health, we offer comprehensive health care for the entire family. Whether you are in need of massage therapy, or one of our other modalities of treatment such as physiotherapy or chiropractic care, we’re here to help. Give us a call today!