When massage may not be a good idea

When is Massage NOT ALLOWED?

Note: Contraindicated means the treatment should not be used; Massage being contraindicated means massage should not be used or applied in the given condition or circumstance. In the following cases below, massage is totally or absolutely contraindicated. Massage in these cases is not recommended in any part of the body – No massage must be given at all. When Not to Get a Massage:

Massage Therapy performed by a well-trained massage therapist can benefit our bodies in a lot of ways . But, there are instances where massage CANNOT be performed at all at any part of the body.  The reason the patient cannot get a massage is for the patients’ own safety and and in some cases (eg. if the patient has an infectious disease – for the safety of the massage therapist and other patients). Patients must be referred to a physician/ medical doctor instead.

When massage cannot be performed:

• High Fever – patients with significant fever (above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or above 38 degrees Celsius) cannot be given a massage. If you are sick and have a fever, it is better to wait until you are healed from before you get a massage. Most people get fever because they are fighting an infection from virus or bacteria (which also could be contagious).
• Massage must not be performed Right After a Major Surgery. A major surgery is any surgical procedure that penetrates and exposes a body cavity – surgery that has the potential for causing permanent anatomic or physiologic impairment, any procedure related to orthopedics or extensive tissue transaction or dissection.
• Meningitis — patients with meningitis cannot be massaged. Besides meningitis being a life-threatening condition because it affects the brain and spinal cord, meningitis can also be contagious.Patients who are experiencing severe unexplained internal pain cannot have a massage treatment — they must immediately see a doctor.
• Hemorrhage (the escape of blood from vessels).
• Massage therapy is not recommended for people who have severe Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis – a group of diseases where there is thickening and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls
• Massage for patients who have Acute Pneumonia (inflammation of the lungs – bacterial or viral) is not allowed.
• Pregnant women who are suffering from Eclampsia: convulsions  occurring in a pregnant woman associated with hypertension, proteinuria or edema. Note: Healthy pregnant women can get a massage (see Pregnancy Massage Procedure for more information)
• Massage therapy is not recommended for patients with severe Hemophilia. Haemophilia is a hereditary hemorrhagic disease that causes varying degrees of spontaneous bleeding. Internal bleeding (in joints and muscles) can be caused by even a minor trauma to muscles and joints in people with severe and moderate hemophilia.