It is essential to know the contraindications to massage before booking a session. This means understanding in which cases massage may worsen the client’s health condition. Below you will find the absolute and partial contraindications for any type of massage.
Absolute contraindications:
Massage is not suitable or safe if you have: fever, skin diseases, rashes, inflammatory conditions, infectious diseases, tumors/suspected tumors, risk of thrombosis, vein inflammations, bleeding or risk of bleeding, recent injuries or trauma, abscesses, heart, kidney, or liver failure, thyroid disorders, high blood pressure, risk of miscarriage, or psychosis.
Partial contraindications:
These include symptoms or physical conditions where certain areas of the body must not be massaged (e.g., large varicose veins on the legs should not be massaged), while massage to the rest of the body is safe and beneficial. You must inform your massage therapist of any partial contraindications. These include:
varicose veins, large birthmarks or bruises, disc injuries, acute injuries, pregnancy, various implants, high or low blood pressure, past injuries, post-operative scars, hernia, menstruation, gall or kidney stones, acute neuritis, frozen tissues, recent burns, undiagnosed masses in tissues, acne, fungal infections, or psoriasis flare-ups.
Many local contraindications can significantly affect the integrity and effectiveness of massage therapy. That’s why it is always better — when possible — to wait until the condition or its acute phase has passed. If you are unsure whether massage is safe for you, please contact your therapist and consult a doctor if needed.