Someone recently asked me, “Why do teenagers need massage?” Great question, one with many answers. Mine always begins with, “Do you remember how stressed you were when you were a teenager?” Raising a happy teenager, how do we do it?
My teen years were pretty great and I still remember being pretty stressed out. Todays’ teens face even more challenging issues and have faster and busier lives than ever before. Massage is not just for adults, teens need regular massage just as much, maybe even more.
Teenagers Need Help to Destress
On top of all the wild stuff that comes with new teenhood skyrocketing hormones (that make our kids a little crazy), most kids have very busy lives.
And stress isn’t just an idea, it’s an actual thing! A big thing that can cause big problems if nothing is done about it. Kids under stress may have difficulties learning as well and emotional development.
Teenagers are notorious for acting out and being “moody”. A massage can help your teen decompress and manage their stress in a healthy way that will last a lifetime.
During a teen massage therapy session My primary focus is on providing a safe place of relaxation so healing can take place. I always includ time to practice relaxation techniques. During and after a session, childrens cortisol levels go down. Cortisol is the stress hormone that allows our bodies to react in dangerous situations. Today’s teenagers have higher cortisol levels than they should. It’s important to help them lower these hormones to normal levels. Massage therapy has shown to help.
Teenage Body Image and Massage
We’ve all seen what media and peer pressure can do to a growing teen boy or girl. Body image is such an important part of being a teenager. This is when our kids develop a healthy or unhealthy vision of themselves. Raising a happy teenager means making sure they’re accepting of who they are. Getting regular massages can help teens develop healthy and loving pictures of what a normal and natural body looks like.
Massage Can Help Treat Teen Depression and Anxiety
Teens are moody, there’s no doubt, but that’s no excuse to downplay signs of depression. Depression and anxiety can develop as children become teens and should always be taken seriously. Talk with a professional if you think your child may be suffering from something more than normal ups and down of teenhood. There are many options for helping your teen, massage has been proven to help.
Regular massage can help treat emotional challenges. But not all massage therapists are trained to work with teens suffering from these issues, so make sure to do your research.
Raising a Happy Teenager in a Stressful World
There is no doubt that kids are growing up in a stressful world. Our job is to help them navigate challenges and provide help along the way.
Massage therapy can help your child become a stronger, centered, more even-tempered teenager. Make sure that they are seen by a board certified massage therapist that has experience working with teenagers.
– Alice Palmeri, LMT is a licensed massage therapist at Portland Pilates Collective and Wellness Center in Southeast Portland, Oregon.
