Contraindications for Massage

Contraindication (not indicated) means that something is not in the best interest of the client regarding their health. Massage is not to be used on any open wound, any infection, during a fever, with an inflammatory disease (during a flare up) or when the client is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Local contraindication is when you can have a massage but the area affected should be left untouched by hand or lubricant. These can be cuts, blisters, deep bruises or varicose veins. Be sure to point these out to your therapist. Systematic contraindication is when massage should not be given. This can be contagious skin disorders, parasites or diseases that are in their inflammatory stage. If you have any suspicious lesions (rashes, unexplained blisters) or physical issues that you are unsure of, please see a doctor before booking your massage for the safety of yourself and, in the case of contagious disease, your therapist.

Does a contraindication mean massage cannot take place? Not always. In fact, massage can be very therapeutic for many medical conditions. However, in the above cases it is best to have advice from your physician. Massage therapists, unless they are also qualified doctors, may not, under law, attempt to diagnose a condition.

Medical Edema: The question here is what is causing the edema. Edema, or swelling tissues from lymphatic fluid, might indicate several dangerous conditions, including heart failure or a deep-vein thrombosis. DVT, a blood clot in a vein (usually in a leg), can suddenly shift and lodge in the lungs (called a pulmonary embolism), to the brain (causing a stroke), or to the heart (causing a heart attack). These conditions require immediate medical attention.

Nervous/psychotic conditions: Massage can be okay, if the person is in a stable condition. An unstable person might need to be under medical supervision, not on your table. Massage is actually a great adjunct to medical treatment for depression, anxiety, and other conditions. There are a few considerations for some of the medications people might be taking.

Trapped or pinched nerves: The danger here is further injury to the nerve or the problem that caused it in the first place. We cannot know where in problem is nor what might aggravate it. And really, massage would be more appropriate after the problem has been healed, to help the tension and stiffness that the nerve caused.

Inflamed nerve: Similar to the pinched or trapped nerve. Massage brings more fluid to the area, and this might aggravate the nerve. Ice might be a better alternative, with a doctor’s supervision, with massage afterwards.

Bell’s Palsy: Bell’s Palsy is partial facial paralysis, caused by an inflamed facial nerve. While it does go away with little to no ill effects, the cause needs to be determined by a doctor. Usually it is idiopathic (basically, “We have no idea what causes it”). It could also be uncomfortable for the person to get massaged, since they are not in a normal state.

Asthma: Massage is fine for people with asthma, unless they are having a severe attack or if it might trigger an attack. Some massage techniques, like stripping the intercostals and CRAC stretches, and for some actually reduce the need for inhalers.

Epilepsy: Again, if well treated, massage should be fine. The doctor would be the one to determine if massage is suitable for the person. There is always a chance of the client having a seizure, and can be both frightening and dangerous.

Recent operations: Massage can be very taxing on a healing body, especially if recovering from a large operation. There is always the chance of infection, for both of you, especially if the incision is still healing. You could also irritate the site by working too close to it. And generally, if the scab has fallen off, and the cut is no longer open, massage should be fine, as long as care is taken around the incision site. But again, the doctor should be contacted, especially if it was for something major, like heart problems or cancer treatment. There might be other underlying health problems that need to be taken into consideration.

Fever: When you have a fever, your body is trying to isolate and expel an invader of some kind. Massage increases overall circulation and could therefore work against your body’s natural defenses.

Inflammation: Massage can further irritate an area of inflammation, so you should not administer it. Inflamed conditions include anything that ends in –itis, such as phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), arthritis (inflammation of the joints), and so on. In the case of localized problems, you can still massage around them, however, avoiding the inflammation itself. As well as, 24 to 48 hours after any type of anti-inflammatory treatment.

High blood pressure: High blood pressure means excessive pressure against blood vessel walls. Massage affects the blood vessels, and so people with high blood pressure or a heart condition should receive light, sedating massages, if at all.

Infectious diseases: Massage is not a good idea for someone coming down with the flu or diphtheria, for example, and to make matters worse, you expose yourself to the virus as well.

Hernia: Hernias are protrusions of part of an organ (such as the intestines) through a muscular wall. It’s not a good idea to try to push these organs back inside. Surgery works better.

Osteoporosis: Elderly people with a severe stoop to the shoulders often have this condition, in which bones become porous, brittle, and fragile. Massage may be too intense for this condition.

Varicose veins: Massage directly over varicose veins can worsen the problem. However, if you apply a very light massage next to the problem, always in a direction toward the heart, it can be very beneficial.

Broken bones: Stay away from an area of mending bones. A little light massage to the surrounding areas, though, can improve circulation and be quite helpful.

Skin problems: You should avoid anything that looks like it shouldn’t be there, such as rashes, wounds, bruises, burns, boils, blisters, and frostbite, for example. Usually these problems are local, so you can still massage in other areas.

Cancer: Cancer can spread through the lymphatic system, and because massage increases lymphatic circulation, it may potentially spread the disease as well. Simple, caring touch is fine, but massage strokes that stimulate circulation are not. Always check with a doctor first.

Other conditions and diseases: Diabetes, asthma, gynecological infections, heart problems, angina, those with pacemakers, any condition already being treated by a medical practitioner, and any other serious conditions each has its own precautions, and you should seek a doctor’s opinion before administering massage.

HIV infection: Some still think AIDS can be “caught” through simple casual skin-to-skin contact, but most of us know that’s not the case, without an exchange of some type of bodily fluid (blood, semen, vaginal fluids, or mother’s milk). So, massage for an HIV positive condition is not contraindicated. However, some infections associated with and occurring in the later stages of AIDS cause massage to be contraindicated. Loving, soothing contact is extremely important for people at any stage of infection. Know that we take the safety and wellness of our clients seriously at all time.

If you do not have any of the listed contraindications and would like to make an appointment, please click here for