Safety - Precautions/ Contra-Indications

Certain medical conditions require the exercise of caution concerning the advisability of giving or receiving massage.  If you are in any doubt, or if you or your partner are under medical supervision, check with your doctor or other qualified medical practitioner before embarking on massage therapy.  This advice applies particularly in the case of cardiovascular conditions and heart disease, especially in cases of thrombosis, phlebitis, and edema.

Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if appropriate cautions are followed.  A very small number of serious injuries have been reported, and they appear to have occurred mostly because cautions were not followed or a massage was given by a person who was not properly trained.


If you have one or more of the following conditions, be sure to consult your health care provider before having a massage:
 

A fever
Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs)
A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs such as Warfarin/Coumadin
Damaged blood vessels
Weakened bones from osteoporosis, a recent fracture, or cancer

Pregnancy
Cancer
Fragile skin, as from diabetes or a healing scar
Heart problems
Dermatomyositis, a disease of the connective tissue

Any of the following in an area that would be massaged:
An open or healing wound
A tumor
Damaged nerves
An infection or acute inflammation
Inflammation from radiation treatment

Cancer patients are best treated by specially trained practitioners who know which areas to avoid and which kind of massage is appropriate.