July is Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month: How Massage Can Offer Relief

July is Juvenile Arthritis (JA) Awareness Month, a chronic autoimmune condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own joints, leading to inflammation, pain, stiffness, and sometimes limited movement. It can impact children as young as infants and up to 16 years of age. Arthritis becomes a growing problem with typical aging as well.  While there's no cure for arthritis, various treatments focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life.

Massage therapy, when administered by a trained professional with an understanding of arthritis, can offer several benefits:

• Pain Reduction: Gentle massage can help alleviate joint pain and muscle soreness.

• Improved Flexibility: By reducing muscle stiffness around affected joints, massage can help improve range of motion.

• Stress and Anxiety Relief: Living with a chronic condition can be stressful for both children and their families. Massage promotes relaxation and can lower stress hormone levels.

A study on children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis demonstrated significant benefits from regular massage. "Anxiety and stress hormone (cortisol) levels were immediately decreased by the massage, and over the 30-day period their pain decreased. If you know someone with arthritis, consider exploring how massage therapy can be a supportive part of their care plan. We are here to help.