Contraindications For Massage
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Massage is a widely used therapy for many different reasons, conditions, and pain. But it isn’t always safe, and you should know when to avoid this therapy. Some contraindications for massage include any form of massage anywhere in the body, while others are relevant only to massage in a local area. Here we will list and explain the most common contraindications for massage. This is not an exhaustive list, therefore before having a massage your therapist should take a thorough history of your health and they will advise you if the treatment if safe for you.
Contraindications For Massage Anywhere
- If you have a contagious disease, illness, fever, or have been vomiting, you should not have massage treatments. Not only will you be putting your therapist at risk of contracting your bug but massage will not help, and in some cases can make your symptoms worse.
- If you have or suspect that you have a deep vein thrombosis (DVT), you should not have a massage. You should go directly to have it assessed and diagnosed at a hospital and follow a doctor’s prescription of treatment. Massage can make a DVT move which has the risk of causing more serious conditions such as pulmonary embolism
- If you have cancer you should speak with your oncologist and specialist nurse about your individual case. For many people, it can be safe and helpful, but there are some cases that it should be avoided. For example, you should not have massage over areas that are treated with radiotherapy, or general massage over areas of lymphoedema. Specialist massage treatment for lymphodema, called manual lymphatic drainage can be helpful, but is not the same as general massage, and requires specialist training. You can read more about this on the Cancer Research website.
- Acute injury and illness, if injury or illness is unstable or undiagnosed massage may be unsafe and should be avoided until advised as safe by a medical doctor.
- If you are under the influence of alcohol, recreational or prescription medication that alters your awareness and ability to consent to treatment.
Contraindications For Massage Locally
- Any skin that is damaged or broken should be avoided, such as bruises, burns, cuts, abrasions, and any open wounds. Not only will this be painful but will slow the healing process and poses a risk of infection.
- Skin conditions such as bacterial, viral, or fungal infections will not be helped by massage. Massage over these areas can cause them to spread to other parts of the body and may be painful.
- Poor vascular health, including varicose veins, thread or spider veins, and artificial blood vessel implants. Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that are a result of the poor condition of blood vessels and the reduced function of valves that prevent blood from flowing the wrong way. Massage can not only be painful but can encourage blood to flow the wrong way, and the pressure of massage can make fragile and fine blood vessels burst. You can read more about varicose veins on the NHS website.
- Broken bones are to be avoided with massage to enable the healing process to occur correctly. Pressure on the healing bone may slow healing and could cause poor alignment of healing
- Muscle contusion and tears, and tendon tears and ruptures can be made much worse with massage, it if is done too early in the healing process.
Massage With Caution
- Pregnancy is a complicated topic when it comes to massage. Due to the higher risk of miscarriage during the first trimester, many clinics will not offer massage during this period at all, to protect themselves from litigation. There is no research to say that massage is unsafe during pregnancy or that it can increase your risk of a miscarriage. However, it is advisable to seek treatment from a therapist with specialist prenatal massage training.
- Kidney and liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Blood disorders
- Diabetes and conditions that reduce sensation
- Conditions with heightened sensitivity such as fibromyalgia or polymyalgia
- Osteoporosis and osteopaenia
- Inflammatory conditions
Headaches After Massage:
Headaches are not fully understood but there are some common causes and contributing factors that are linked with the onset of headaches. Some of these factors can be present during and after a massage which is why a massage treatment can trigger a headache. Some of the most common causes and contributing factors to developing a headache after a massage are listed below.
Dehydration
Not drinking enough to be well-hydrated is a major cause of many headaches. Massage therapy will not cause dehydration but if you are already poorly hydrated and then get a massage for an hour during which you aren’t drinking it isn’t going to improve your hydration and you might find a headache comes on. If you have had a headache after massage before, make sure you arrive to your appointment well hydrated and drink plenty after your treatment.
Blood Pressure Changes
Sudden changes in blood pressure of the blood vessels in the head can cause headaches. Dehydration, activity levels, stress, and certain foods can affect blood pressure as can lying down for a prolonged period of time than standing up quickly. Massage is good for relaxation, which reduces your blood pressure. A combination of these two factors can result in a sudden change in pressure and the onset of a headache. If you have had a headache after massage before, let your therapist know and they can get you to gradually change positions from lying flat, to incline then sitting which can help your blood pressure change less suddenly.
Muscle Tension
Tight muscles around the head and neck are a cause of tension headaches due to the pressure and tension on the connective tissue over the head. Many people seek massage treatment to help relax these muscles. If too much pressure is used or the muscles are stretched and a headache is already present or forming the pain can be exacerbated. If you have found that massage has previously triggered a headache in the past, you should let your therapist know and they can use lighter pressure around your head and neck.
Stress and Anxiety
These can all be reasons why people choose to have a massage treatment and are all possible contributing factors to the onset of headaches. Make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed with your therapist. You might prefer to listen to relaxing music, or if you talk, try to avoid stressful topics.
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We are specialists in sports massage, with our clinic in Fulham, South West London.
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