Massage Contraindications: Why Some People Can’t Get a Massage
Website design By BotEap.comMassage therapy is a wonderful and beneficial form of comprehensive health care. Massage can provide stress relief, relief from 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 of contracting a certain disease or illness if they are in a contagious state of health.
Website design By BotEap.comThe term “massage contraindication” means that you are no You may be massaged, or the massage may be limited to certain areas of your body. When you are contraindicated for a massage, it is for your health and safety, as well as that of the masseuses. 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.
Website design By BotEap.comLocal contraindications
Website design By BotEap.comLocal contraindications are conditions involving disease/illness related to pathology or acute injury. These conditions require extreme precautions and adapt the massage to the condition. This is to ensure the safety of both the client and the therapist. For the client, the massage should be adjusted to ensure that it does not spread the condition or further injure the client. For the therapist, it is to make sure that the therapist does not contract the disease.
Website design By BotEap.comIf you have what is determined to be a local contraindication, your therapist may request a physician’s clearance 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 massage therapist.
Website design By BotEap.comA massage can be adjusted to a local contraindication in several ways. It may mean that an area should be avoided, such as the lower leg of a recently sprained ankle. May require pressure to be adjusted during massage. The position in which the client is lying on the massage table is adjusted, such as using a side-lying position for pregnant women. It may also mean that the time allowed for the massage is adjusted.
Website design By BotEap.comSome of the more common local contraindications include, but are not limited to: Abnormal Lumps, Ance Vulgaris, Athlete’s Foot, Blisters, Bruising, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Cystitis (Baker’s and Sebaceous), Pressure Ulcers, Arthritis gouty, Graves’ disease, hernia, hyper and hypothyroidism, infectious diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, local inflammation, open wounds, phlebitis, poison ivy – oak – sumac, shingles, swollen lymph glands, ulcers, unhealed burns (sunburn if are not very widespread), varicose veins and warts.
Website design By BotEap.comthe following conditions Will require medical clearance: acromegaly, aneurysm, atherosclerosis, burns, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hemophaly, Hodgkin’s disease, kidney stones, leukemia, myasthenia gravis, nephrosis, peritonitis , polycystic kidney disease and uremia.
Website design By BotEap.comAbsolute contraindications
Website design By BotEap.comAbsolute contraindications are conditions in which you 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 cause the death of the client.
Website design By BotEap.comNot all absolute contraindications are permanent; meaning you may have a condition that, once it clears up, can be massaged. These conditions are typically an illness such as a viral infection. Some conditions are permanent and unfortunately if you have one you will not be able to get a massage. In any case, as long as the condition is in an acute stage, you will be denied massage therapy.
Website design By BotEap.comThe following is a list of common, 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, hives, high blood pressure ( unless controlled by medication, diet, or exercise) Influenza (flu), head 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. These are all temporary conditions that once they have run their course, you can get a massage.
Website design By BotEap.comThe 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 more health related problems or even death. Your masseur must be informed of these conditions. This is one of the reasons why you should fill out a health history form when you walk into a professional massage therapist’s office.
Website design By BotEap.comSome common absolute permanent contraindications (this is not a definitive list): blood clots, liver cirrhosis, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), stroke, hypertension (unless controlled by medication, diet, or exercise), intestinal obstruction, kidney failure , lymphangitis , myocarditis, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), syncope (fainting), and tuberculosis.
Website design By BotEap.comWhile massage has many benefits, certain conditions require caution. If you have a condition that hasn’t been mentioned here, or if you’re not sure if you can get a massage, talk to your massage therapist and GP. They will both be happy to discuss this with you. Remember, if you are denied a massage because of a condition you have, it is because the massage therapist is interested in your best health.