Massage contraindications: why some people can’t get a massage

Massage therapy is a wonderful and beneficial form of comprehensive health care. Massage can relieve stress, relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, and the list goes on. But massage can be detrimental to your health if you have certain physical conditions, illnesses, or ailments. You can also put your therapist at risk for a certain disease if you are in a contagious state of health.

The term “massage contraindication” means that it is no you can receive massages, or the massage may be limited to certain areas of your body. When it is contraindicated for a massage, it is for your health and safety, as well as for the masseurs. Not all contraindications mean that you will never be able to get a massage. There are two types of contraindications: local contraindications and absolute contraindications.

Local contraindications

Local contraindications are conditions that involve disease related to an acute pathology or injury. These conditions mean that caution must be exercised and massage must be tailored to the condition. This is to ensure the safety of both the client and the therapist. For the client, the massage needs to be adjusted to ensure that it will not spread the condition or further harm the client. For the therapist, it is making sure that the therapist does not contract the disease.

If you have what is determined to be a local contraindication, your therapist may require a physician’s authorization before agreeing to provide you with a massage. While some local contraindications only require you and your therapist to discuss the condition and tailor the massage accordingly. In any case, it is the therapist who will make the final decision on whether or not you can receive the massage. This is done to protect your health and safety, as well as that of the masseuse.

A massage can be adjusted to a local contraindication in several ways. It may mean that an area, such as the lower leg of a recently sprained ankle, should be avoided. May require pressure adjustment during massage. The position in which the client is lying on the massage table is adjusted, such as using a lateral position for pregnant women. It can also mean that the time allowed for the massage is adjusted.

Some of the more common local contraindications include, but are not limited to: Abnormal lumps, Ance vulgaris, athlete’s foot, blisters, bruises, carpal tunnel syndrome, colitis, Crohn’s disease, cystitis (Baker’s and sebaceous), ulcers for decubitus, gouty arthritis, Graves’ disease, hernia, hyper and hypothyroidism, infectious diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, local inflammation, open wounds, phlebitis, poison ivy – oak – sumac, shingles, swollen lymph nodes, ulcers, no burns healed (sunburn if not widespread), varicosis Veins and warts.

The following conditions Will require physician authorization: acromegaly, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, burns, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hemophaelia, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney stones, leukemia, myasthenia gravis, nephrosis, peristicitis, kidney disease and uremia.

Absolute contraindications

Absolute contraindications are conditions in which can not get a massage. Giving a massage to someone who has an absolute contraindication can result in serious health risks for the client and / or the therapist. Some absolute contraindications can even lead to the death of the client.

Not all absolute contraindications are permanent; meaning you may have a condition that, once it goes away, you can get massaged. These conditions are usually a disease, such as a viral infection. Some conditions are permanent, and unfortunately, if you have one, you won’t be able to get massages. In any case, as long as the condition is in an acute stage, massage therapy will be denied.

The following is a list of but temporary, absolute contraindications to massage: chickenpox, contact dermatitis (if widespread), diarrhea (if due to infection), fever, German measles, gout (during the acute phase), hepatitis, urticaria, high blood pressure ( unless controlled with medication, diet or exercise) Influenza (flu), lice, lupus (during an outbreak), measles, mononucleosis (mono), mumps, pneumonia, ringworm, recent injuries or surgeries, scabies and tonsillitis. This list is not definitive, but rather a list of the most common conditions that are absolute contraindications. All these are temporary conditions that once they have completed their course, you can receive a massage.

The following conditions are a permanent condition that will prevent you from receiving a massage. These are serious conditions and if you get a massage it can cause further health problems or even death. Your masseuse must be aware of these conditions. This is one of the reasons you need to fill out a medical history form when you enter a professional massage therapist’s office.

Some common absolute permanent contraindications (this is not a definitive list): blood clots, cirrhosis of the liver, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, hypertension (unless controlled with medication, diet or exercise), intestinal obstruction, insufficiency kidney disease, lymphangitis, myocarditis, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), syncope (fainting) and tuberculosis.

While massage has many benefits, certain conditions warrant caution. If you have a condition that has not been listed here, or you are not sure if you can get massages, talk to your masseuse and your GP. They will both be happy to discuss this with you. Remember, if you are turned down for a massage due to a medical condition, it is because the masseuse cares about your best health.