Contraindications For Massage Therapy

Contraindications for massage therapy are any conditions, diseases, or sickness that can be made worse if massage is performed.

In other words, they are reasons for not getting a massage. It is up to the massage therapist to avoid giving a massage if any of these are present.

Contraindications can be absolute which means that massage absolutely cannot be performed and there are local reasons for not getting a massage which means that the area surrounding the condition should be avoided but the rest of the body can be massaged.

If the condition is contagious, the massage therapist could get the condition and then spread it to other clients. Therefore, the therapist must decline the massage if any absolute contraindications are present.

Sometimes the client will not give the massage therapist the correct information or he or she may not even be aware of the contraindication so the massage therapist must be on guard, observing each client while preparing to give the massage.

With chair massage, this becomes more difficult as so much of the skin is covered by layers of clothing. When the therapist notices the problem, the massage should be immediately stopped.

Examples of local contraindications or local reasons for not getting a massage are:

Abnormal lumps

Bruise or blister

Herpes simplex

Phlebitis

Athlete's Foot

Colitis

Local Inflammation

Poison Ivy

Warts

Some Examples of absolute contraindications for massage therapy or reasons not to get a massage are:

Appendicitis

Lice

Mumps

Chicken Pox

Fever

Pneumonia during acute phase

Preeclampsia

Ringworm

Scabies

Tuberculosis

Contact dermatitis

Lupus during a flare-up

Pharyngitis due to infection

Recent surgery

As you can see, there are many things that can prevent massage. The above lists are just a few of a very long list of reasons to not give a massage. This fact demonstrates why the medical intake forms the client fills out are important both for the client and for the massage therapist.

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