Contraindications

First and foremost, by law, a massage therapist cannot diagnose clients with medical conditions and will need to be referred to a physician under certain contraindications.

A contraindication is any physical, emotional, or mental condition that might cause a particular massage treatment to be unsafe or detrimental to the client's well-being. Does this mean you will not be able to be treated when it comes to medical conditions; no, but you will need to consult your physician first before proceeding with massage therapy. There are three types of contraindications when it comes to massaging clients: absolute, regional and conditional.

Absolute contraindication - the practitioner cannot massage the client at all under present specified conditions. For instance, when a client has the flu.

Example list of absolute contraindications:

Ruptured membranes

Premature Labor

Unexplained persistent vaginal bleeding

Uncontrolled hypertension

Uncontrolled Type 1 Diabetes

Acute myocardial infarction (stroke) within 2 days

Pulmonary embolism/ infarction

Regional contraindication - prohibits the practitioner from massaging only a local part of the body.

Example list of regional contraindications:

Open wounds

Arthritis

Contagious areas

Inflammation

Pregnancy

Hematoma (bruising)

Sunburn

Abrasion

Varicose veins

(?) Contraindication - (under construction)