Insurance Coverage & Graves Disease
Question:Will Insurance companies cover Massage Therapy? Can someone with Graves disease get a massage?
Answer:Graves disease is one of the many conditions that massage therapy can benefit.
Graves' disease is a type of autoimmune disease in which the immune system over-stimulates the thyroid gland, causing hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland helps set the rate of metabolism (the rate at which the body uses energy). When its over-stimulated, it produces more thyroid hormones than the body needs. High levels of thyroid hormones can cause difficult side effects. Graves disease typically affects women over the age of 20. The incidence is about 5 in 10,000 people. The common symptoms of Graves disease include - insomnia, irritability, weight loss, heat sensitivity, increased perspiration, muscular weakness, eye changes, lighter menstrual flow, rapid heart rate and hand tremors. The symptoms of this disease can occur gradually or very suddenly. This disease is often confused with other medical problems. Some women have Graves disease, but display no obvious symptoms at all. Massage therapy can be beneficial to those suffering from Graves disease by treating side effects such as muscular weakness, insomnia and promoting relaxation to reduce a rapid heart rate or hand tremors.
I wish you all the best with treating this disease!
Karin
