When can/can't you have a massage?

Good morning folks,

Well, I was going to open this week by saying what glorious weather we've been having over the last week, but as i sit and type this, looking out onto a grey sky, hundreds of puddles and my washing hanging bedraggled on the line I think I'll move swiftly along!

I often get asked when I'm out about whether they can receive massage if they have a certain condition or illness and will it make it worse or better so, in an occasional feature, I'll address which conditions you can bring to the massage clinic and which you can't.

Coughs and colds;  yes you can come for a treatment but I'd rather you didn't.  I can't afford to take the risk of catching anything so if you are suffering, please please please call and rearrange a later date.
Til next week, stay safe 

Fractures;  Obviously I wont be able to treat the area that is broken, but so long as you are able to move about, get on or off a couch or any other impediment, massaging areas around the fracture that are compensating for the fracture can be beneficial.  Once the fracture has healed, massage of the area will have to be avoided fr some time and even then pressure will have to be light.  Seated massage can also be an option.

Sprains and strains;  The affected areas, like above, will be avoided but the rest of the body can be massaged as normal, providing the client has sufficient mobility.

Musculoskeletal Conditions;  These can include RSI, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Frozen Shoulder, Tendonitis.  When the conditions are active and there is inflammation, only gentle massage/mobilisation of the joint and adjacent tissues is advised.  When the inflammation has subsided, massage of the surrounding muscles will help to relieve pain, and massage of other parts of the body that may be over compensating is beneficial.  

Arthritis, Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis;  If the joints are inflammed then massage cannot take place, otherwise gentle, relaxing massage can be beneficial to ease pain and gently increase mobilisation providing care is taken.  Draining tissues around the joints can reduce stiffness, aid circulation and remove toxins.  As stress can be a factor in flare ups beginning, relaxing massage is ideal. 

Ringworm, Candida, Scabies, Lice & Fleas;  Obviously, massage is a total no no with these conditions.

Dermatitis, Eczema, Psoriasis;  Providing the skin is not broken or weeping, massage can go ahead and may even be beneficial.  If clients would prefer the areas not be treated, then please advise me of this during the consultation.

Itching yet?  The things a therapist can come across can occasionally make you want to grab for the nearest pair of rubber gloves.  But to conclude this week...

Skin Cancer;  When I was initially training, any form of cancer meant that massage could not take place.  This was because it was believed massage could dislodge cancerous cells and send them to other parts of the body.  Now however this way of thinking no longer prevails in fact the opposite is true.  As a therapist, we are in a position to notice if there are any changes to a clients body, if moles have grown or changed shape drastically and advise them to go get them checked.  Massage can provide much needed relief from physical and emotional stress.  However, until the area of cancer has been treated, that particular area cannot be massaged but the rest of the body can.

Until next week, stay safe