Contraindications

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

Not always… Massages 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 alcohol;
• 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 areas 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
• epilepsy
• diabetes
• cancer
• bells palsy
• severe nerve impingements from disc herniation in the spine or other spinal surgeries etc
• gynacological infections