Massage therapy is generally a safe, effective, and enjoyable experience. This is true whether it is performed by a therapist or in a massage chair. Yet, there are some contraindications for a massage.
So even though massages are considered safe, there are times they should be avoided. This is because they may adversely affect other health conditions.
In this article we will refer to the term massage to refer to massage therapy.
This term will apply to treatment received by a massage therapist or one received in a massage chair.
What is a Massage Contraindication?
A massage contraindication is a reason for a person not to receive massage therapy due to the harm it may cause. This is usually due to a medical or physical condition.
Now massage therapy in a healthy person may result in some harmless side effects. These are not contraindications for massage:
- An emotional release
- Feeling sleepy afterwards
- Mild bruising
- Feeling a little sore the next day
- Skin feeling smoother and less dry
The following information should not substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Please seek the advice of your physician with any questions you may have.
We will now review some of the more common contraindications for massage.
High Fever
One of the benefits of a massage is increased circulation.
But a high fever is an sign that there is something wrong in the body.
This is usually an indication the body is fighting an infection from virus or bacteria.
Increasing the circulation pushes fluids through the lymph system. This can help the infection to spread more rapidly in the body.
The infection could stick around longer and need more aggressive treatment.
This could actually cause the fever to increase. So you should avoid using the massage chair if you have a high fever.
Alcohol Use
You’ve had a long week at work and are physically and emotionally drained. You need to unwind.
So what better way to relax then a couple of drinks followed by a nice massage in your new chair? Sounds like the perfect solution, right?
While alcohol in moderation isn’t necessarily bad for you, it can have some impact on your body after a massage and can be detrimental before one.
Alcohol has dehydrating effects, causing blood vessels to dilate, impairs cognitive reasoning, and weakens the immune system.
But most of all, alcohol and massage don’t mix well for the following reasons:
Decreased Sensation
Alcohol has a numbing effect, desensitizing your nerve endings.
As a result, there is a reduced level of sensation. This makes it difficult to judge the intensity of the massage and to judge if it is too much.
There may be an injury to your muscles and joints as a result of this.
Enhanced Hangover
Although not necessarily an adverse effect, but who likes a hangover?
One of the contributing factors to a hangover is the dehydrating effects of alcohol.
Massage therapy also causes dehydration. This is why they recommend drinking water after a massage.
So the combined effects of the alcohol with the massage can lead to more intense hangovers.
Increased Blood Alcohol Level
Massage increases circulation and flushes out toxins from your muscles.
As a result of this, alcohol can get into the bloodstream more quickly and remain there longer.
This can result in further intoxication and even cause possible dangerous levels.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is the leading cause of bone and joint injuries in older adults. The bones don’t have enough calcium, which makes them frail.
Many people do not realize they have this disease until a bone snaps.
Massage therapy can be a beneficial treatment for osteoporosis.
The purpose of a massage for osteoporosis is to increase the blood flow to the muscles surrounding your joints and bones.
However, too much pressure can actually cause greater damage as it is too intense for the bones to handle.
So in many cases a massage chair may be too intense for this condition.
As not everyone with osteoporosis have the same degree of weakness in the bones, it is best to consult with your doctor before using a massage chair for a massage.
Pregnancy
Can you have a massage while pregnant? The overall answer is yes.
Having a massage during pregnancy has many positive effects, such as pain relief, improved sleep, lower anxiety, and it can even help with depression.
However, there are a number of massage contraindications relating to pregnancy, which could prevent or restrict treatment.
So before using your massage chair, you should always consult with your healthcare provider.
In general, if you have any of the following conditions you should not use your massage chair:
- Eclampsia
- Pre-eclampsia
- Varicosities due to organs pressing on the veins and arteries
- Hyperkyphosis or hyperlordosis due to poor posture
- Compression Syndromes
- Edema
- Gestational Diabetes
Autoimmune Conditions
In autoimmune diseases, the immune system, which ordinarily defends the body against outside infection, mistakes the body’s own cells, tissues and organs as foreign—and attacks them accordingly.
These conditions can be complex and affect many systems of the body.
Certain types of massage may or may not be appropriate.
This will depend on the type of autoimmune disease, the severity, and other treatments/medications that the patient may be receiving.
According to Dr Blazek-O’Neill, “some types of massage might actually make people experience more severe symptoms, particularly those types that utilize strong pressure.”
She continues that “some medications, such as NSAIDs used to treat pain, may lead to easier bruising or even bleeding. Prednisone, which is used to suppress the immune system, can also lead to bruising and fluid retention.”
As whether these diseases are always contraindications for massage is variable, you should consult with your healthcare provider before using the massage chair.
Hemophilia Or Blood Thinning Medications
Hemophilia is a genetic disease where there are not enough blood-clotting proteins.
This can cause someone to bleed for a longer time after an injury
Even the slightest trauma to joints and muscles can cause internal bleeding in people with moderate to severe hemophilia.
So if you have moderate to severe hemophilia, massage therapy should be avoided.
But in mild to moderate cases, your healthcare provider may allow for gentle massage. However, this may be difficult to control with a massage chair. In these cases, a massage therapist may be recommended.
In addition, if you are taking any blood thinning medications, such as Warfarin or Eloquis, you may also be prone to easy internal bleeding.
Massage chair use may be ok depending on the dosing, so check with your healthcare provider before proceeding.
Recent (Acute) Injury
So it was time for the weekend.
You had a fall, or wrenched you back playing basketball, or had some other traumatic injury.
The idea of getting a massage right after this might sound promising, but that is not the case.
According to an article in the Institute for Integrative Healthcare, one of the benefits of massage, improved circulation, may actually slow down or worsen an injury during the first 48 hours.
The improved circulation may increase swelling and bleeding, which you want to minimize during the initial response to an injury.
So you must first get past this acute phase of your injury before getting a massage. Otherwise, it will slow down or interfere with the normal healing process.
Experts recommend avoiding massage for 72 hours following an acute injury.
Advanced Age
Advanced age in and of itself is not a contraindication for massage therapy.
However, age-related changes such as thinner skin, slower healing time, and decreased tissue resilience can affect the response to massage.
So it is wise to be aware of any of these changes and how they may affect your personal situation.
As always, if unsure, always check with your healthcare provider.