15 contraindications to Massage that you need to know!

Massage therapy can help you in many ways, from treating musculoskeletal injuries to help you with your mental health. There are many massage styles available and you need to find what suits you best. Massage therapy is good for you and it has many benefits, however, it can be contraindicated, also. Your massage therapist will be able to advise you and you might need doctor consent to receive your massage.  

 Contraindications to massage:

  1. Covid -19
  2. When you have nausea, or you feel dizzy
  3. Fever
  4. Recent injuries / fractures 
  5. Blood disorders 
  6. When having bruises, wounds, rashes or severe sunburns.
  7. Undiagnosed Migraines 
  8. Active cancer 
  9. Undiagnosed tumor
  10.  Rheumatoid arthritis 
  11.  Deep vein thrombosis
  12.  High blood pressure 
  13.  Herpes   
  14. Under the influence of alcohol or recreational drugs
  15. Undiagnosed pain 

What other conditions should I report to my massage therapist?

If you have or have had the following conditions, you need to inform your therapist before your massage treatment starts. Besides, this information is fundamental for the therapist to tailor the treatment according to your needs as some conditions are totally contraindicated and massage could make it worse. 

  • Resent cough, fever, loss of taste or smell 
  • Back /spinal problems 
  • Blood pressure 
  • Circulatory problems 
  • Respiratory problems 
  • Allergies / skin conditions 
  • If you have herpes
  • Resent operations/ injuries/ cut
  • Digestive system issues
  • Diabetes
  • Heart conditions 
  • Edema
  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis 
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Contiguous diseases HIV/AIDS.
  • Cancer
  • If you are pregnant 

What should I do if I have these conditions?

If you suffer from any of these conditions, sometimes your massage therapist will ask you to talk to your GP before booking a massage session. Remember that your medical condition must be stable first, and you have to tell your therapist all your symptoms; this way your massage therapist will create a personalised massage treatment according to your needs because he is always focused in making you feel better. 

In addition, before starting your massage treatment let your therapist know who was in charge of diagnosing your conditions, for example: your GP, physiotherapist, osteopath, sports therapist, acupuncturist or yourself. 

Why is my medical history important when having a massage?

As I mentioned before, massage can be contraindicated in some cases, for this reason, you need to let your therapist know everything about your health such as past and present medical problems; this can determinate if the treatment is suitable for you. Also, this information allows the therapist to make some changes to the technique or create a bespoke treatment for you. For example, areas with burns, wounds, staples or pins will be avoided.

Other cautions that therapists have is when you present any kind of allergy. Some people have skin allergies (to creams, oils, cleansers or disinfectants) or can be allergic to some materials like clothes in sheets or even gloves. In these cases the therapist will use different products according to your needs or there are people who prefer to bring their own products.

It doesn’t matter which condition or special need you have, you always will be treated better at Perea Clinic. Your health and comfort are our priorities.

We hope this information is useful for you. If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help. If you like this blog, please share!

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