You probably already know that massage therapy is great for helping with a wide variety of conditions. Massage can reduce pain, both acute and chronic. It can improve circulation and healing and is very beneficial for depression and anxiety. The list goes on and on.
Recently, I’ve been seeing more people in my practice with serious medical conditions. While massage therapy, performed by a well trained therapist, can be very helpful for many conditions, even serious ones, there are times when massage is not recommended and may even be harmful. Following are general guidelines regarding contraindications for massage.
General Illness (colds, flu, viral infections): Massage is contraindicated when you are ill with a cold, flu, or other virus for a number of reasons. These types of infections are easily spread and may be transmitted to the therapist or to other clients. Because massage increases circulation it may also help the infection to spread within the client’s own body. Once the client is no longer contagious and is starting to feel better, massage may aid in recovery.
Infections may be transferred to the therapist and other clients. They may also be spread within the client’s own body through increased circulation of blood and lymphatic fluid or through physical transmission. Common infections include:
Viral infections such as influenza, coronavirus, and the common cold;
Bacterial infections such as staph and strep, or infections of the skin or wounds;
Fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot
Fever is a clear sign that body is fighting some sort of invader, possibly an infection of some type. The increased circulation that happens as a result of massage can help to spread the invader to other areas of the body.
Inflammation is an area that is red, swollen, and possibly hot. Like fever, this is an indication that there is something happening in the body. It may be a sign of infection or it may be the body’s response to an injury. If the inflammation is due to injury, massage may be applied to other areas of the body, avoiding the injured area. If it is due to infection or cause is unknown, massage is contraindicated.
Early in my massage career a client booked a massage because of pain and swelling in his ankle and foot. He told me he had some arthritis in his ankle and assumed he had aggravated it during a run, and thought massage would help relieve the pain. I observed swelling, redness, and warmth in the foot and ankle and advised the client that I would not be able to work on the area. He was sure that massage would help and tried to convince me to work on it. I explained to him that the warmth of the tissues in the area were of special concern, considering the area had been bothering him for a few days, and advised him to seek medical attention. An examination by his doctor revealed that he had a septic infection and need to be treated with antibiotics.
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition where blood clots form in the veins of the legs. Even without deep pressure, the increased circulation could cause a clot to dislodge, causing serious complications.
Some conditions require further examination and discretion to determine whether massage is appropriate and, if so, what types of massage would be safe and beneficial.
Open sores of any kind are a general contraindication for massage. With proper precautions, massage may applied, avoiding the wounded area. If the wound is caused by a contagious condition or is infected, the client should not receive massage.
Osteoporosis causes the bones to become brittle. Deep tissue techniques and pressure applied to the body may cause bones to break. Gentler techniques such as Swedish massage or myofascial release may be appropriate.
Varicose veins are caused by increased blood pressure in the legs. The veins stretch due to the increased pressure. This can be worsened by deep pressure in a massage. Massage may be applied using light pressure.
Broken bones are an obvious contraindication. I can’t imagine anyone with a broken bone even being able to stand being massaged in the area of the break, and most breaks will be confined within a cast and unreachable. Massaging areas beyond the injury (example: massaging the toes, calf, and upper leg of a broken ankle) can increase circulation to the injured area, possible assisting in the healing process. Massaging the uninsured areas of the body, especially those oppose to the injury (massage right arm if left arm is broken) may also have benefits.
Cancer and massage is something of a controversial topic. When I received my training over 20 years ago, cancer was a “hard no” when it came to massage. Now, there are some who are questioning that as a more complicated question with less of a blanket standard. Cancer may be spread through the lymphatic system, which is why it has been strongly contraindicated. While it is still generally advised to avoid standard massage when one has cancer, there are now specialists in Oncology Massage. These specialized techniques and protocols aim to provide the benefits of massage without the risks. A client with cancer who would like to receive a massage should speak to their health care provider and, if approved, find a therapist with specialized training in working with cancer patients.
These are just some examples of conditions where massage should be avoided, or modified. It should not be considered a comprehensive list or medical advice. If you have an injury or a medical condition you should consult with your medical provider and your massage therapist about the benefits and risks of massage for your situation.
It is important to communicate your medical history in detail to your therapist, especially if you have a diagnosed disease or recent injury or surgery. Most therapists will have a medical history form for you to complete prior to your first appointment. If they don’t, you should consider whether this is the right therapist for you. They will also ask you questions about your condition and how it affects you. This helps the therapist determine whether massage therapy is a safe and appropriate option and, if so, the most effective modalities (style or type of massage) for you. If you have any changes in your health, sustain a new injury, or are diagnosed with a new condition you should always let your therapist know. They might request that you fill out a new health intake form, and will update their records so that they have your current information on file.
If you would like to speak to a massage therapist regarding your condition please contact me here or email highlandhealingarts@gmail.com.
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