top of page

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR MASSAGE

Does having a contraindication mean I can't have a massage?

Not always... Masssages can be very therapeutic for many medical conditions. However, in some cases it is better if your Doctor checks your health first. As a massage therapist I am not allowed by law to diagnose a patient.

Even when a massage is non-invasive, relaxing, natural and considered a safe treatment for the majority of people, there are 3 types of contraindications

 

TOTAL :        WHEN A MASSAGE CANNOT BE PERFORMED AT ALL

LOCAL :        WHEN A MASSAGE CAN BE PERFORMED, BUT NOT IN THE AREA                                  AFFECTED BY THE CONTRAINDICATION;

MEDICAL:     A MASSAGE CAN BE PERFORMED IF AUTHORISED BY A PRIOR CHECK                         WITH YOUR GP, CONSULTANT OR SURGEON

 

TOTAL CONTRAINDICATIONS:

PLEASE READ THIS LIST CAREFULLY AS IF YOU HAVE ANY ON THIS LIST IT WILL IMPACT ON WHEN, IF EVER I WILL BE ABLE TO OFFER YOU A MASSAGE TREATMENT:

  • recent operations : usually 3 months is required post op before it is safe to massage, although with surgeon approval that may sometimes be shortened

  • high fever

  • contagious or infectious diseases - including colds and flu in the early and mid stages;

  • under influence of drugs or alchol;

  • acute injuries: massage is not safe in the immediate 3 day inflammatory response after any major strain or muscle tear, also any open wound injury must be fully healed to scar tissue stage.

  • clients who have had strokes, TIA, DVT, or any major clot formation, anurism etc. ( again this may be somewhat mitigated by the approval of your consultant or surgeon but permission by GP only is not sufficient.)

 

LOCAL:

A massage can be performed avoiding particular areas:

  • varicose veins

  • undiagnosed lumps or bumps

  • pregnancy

  • bruising

  • cuts

  • abrasions

  • some ares of inflammation

  • sunburn

  • pain that does not appear to be muscular or skeletal in origin

 

MEDICAL:

any of these conditions will need GP, Consultant or surgeon approval!!

  • any cardio vascular condition ( heart problems; Angina; pace makers Phlebitis, hyper tension - high blood pressure; etc)

  • oedema

  • psoriasis /  severe eczema

  • psychosis

  • high blood pressure

  • osteoporosis

  • epilespsy

  • diabetes

  • cancer

  • bells palsy

  • severe nerve impingments from disc herniation in the spine or other spinal surgeries etc

  • gynacological infections

 

 

 

 

 

bottom of page