What are contraindications?

Contraindication is a medical term for conditions when you should not massage. "Contra" means against, as in contrary, and indications are things that tell you what to do one way or the other. Therefore, contraindications are things that are telling you not to do something.

In theory massage can be applied in most conditions, either to a region of the body or for relax ion. In practice, however there are times when it is unlikely to be effective and therefore best avoided.

Local contraindications indicate that massage should not be carried out on the region affected by the conditions.

Local contraindications are indigestion, areas of inflammation, fractures, appendicitis, acute strains and infective arthritis

Total contraindications. This means massage should not be performed. They are medical conditions and massage should only be performed with medical permission. 

Probable contraindications;

These are depression, heart problems, frequent colds, PMT. loss of weight and cystitis. A doctor’s permission is needed for massage to continue.

Systematic contraindications

These are viral infections, fever, diarrhoea from infection and measles (listed in Handbook for clinical massage p9 ).

List five contraindications to massage therapy with a reason for each.

1. Fever: When you have a fever, your body is trying to isolate and expel an invader of some kind. Massage increases overall circulation and could therefore work against your body's natural defences.

HIgh feaver is definitley contraindicated . Feaver indicates infection and massage can be taxing on a weakend bidy . It can also speads the infection and makes it worse . There is also the poossiblity that the preactiitoner could become ill if the feaver is contagious like a cold /flu .

2. Inflammation: Massage can further irritate an area of inflammation, so you should not administer it. Inflamed conditions include anything that ends in –itis, such as phlebitis (inflammation of a vein), dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), arthritis (inflammation of

the joints), and so on. In the case of localized problems, you can still massage around them, however, avoiding the inflammation itself.

3. High blood pressure: If diagnosed by a G.P. massage can help reduce high blood pressure if stress related , Deep abdominal massge is contra- indicated , but relaxing massage is benefical , someone with low blood pressure might need helping down from the massge table in case they faint .

High blood pressure means excessive pressure against blood vessel walls. Massage affects the blood vessels, and so people with high blood pressure or a heart condition should receive light, sedating massages, if at all.

4. Infectious diseases: Massage is not a good idea for someone coming down with the flu or diphtheria, for example, and to make matters worse, you expose yourself to the virus as well.

5. Hernia: Hernias are protrusions of part of an organ (such as the intestines) through a muscular wall. It's not a good idea to try to push these organs back inside. Surgery works better.

6. Osteoporosis: Elderly people with a severe stoop to the shoulders often have this condition. Massage can cause severe discomfort if person suffers from brittle bones

Many problems that clients have . 

7. P.M.T Premenstrual Tension

It is not advisable to massage the stomach area when a person is menstruating. If a person takes dong quai vitamins it helps to overcome premenstrual tension

It is not a local contraindication to relive pmt with massage.

Is in fact a syndrome of symptoms, some of which can be alleviated with massage? The condition may, however, be due to hormonal imbalances and therefore require a diagnosis if it is severe.

Ref Handbook for clinical massage p9 paragraph contraindications.

8. Skeletal system – fractures

This is a total contraindication and it is better to seek medical permission first. This is because it might cause more damage to the fracture. If they are still in plaster you should not massage. If they have just come out of plaster it is advisable to wait for a month until it is fully healed.

The acute stage is the time between the injury occurring and healing beginning – usually around 24 -48 hours .If signs and symptoms are improving, then a programme of massage therapy can be begun. It can be gently massaged.

9.Pregnancy –

This is a total contraindication. Also clients suffering from either a spontaneous miscarriage or a termination may be looking someone else to blame i.e. therapist. Although during the first three months of pregnancy , there is a high risk of miscarriage , all massgae on the abdomen is conra-intrdicated unless inducing the baby for practitioner protection . a very ;ight pressure on the abdomen is advised .

There is no evidence to prove that massage can cause a miscarrage but it is better to seek medical advice before receiving therapy. Massage can be good from the conception point and then the therapist should make a decision whether or not to continue treatment.

You have to be very careful of the abdomen. Do not massage abdomen in first four months, light circular stroking on abdomen is ok.After the early stages , deep abdonimal massge continues to be contraindicated thrughout the preganancy unless its a pregnancy /Prenatal massage .

Prenatal massage therapy during preganancy might have multiple effects including lowering anxeity ,decreased back and leg pain , improved sleep , decreased levels of stress hormone . 

Ipreganancy massage in depressed women increased leevels of the feel good hormones serotonin and dopamine ,decreased levels of coritsol as an indicatr of stress ,an overall improvement in mood . 

Massage legs and head and make sure the client is supported with pillows and not lying face down.

Massage can aid wellbeing.

10.  Depression;

In some cases of clinical depression the sedating effect of massage can exacerbate the lethargic state of the patient. Treatment therefore should only be carried out with the doctor’s approval.

A study in the USA looked into the therapeutic importance of massage in reducing anxiety and depression. The data from this study indicated that massage produced marked reductions in anxiety and depression in people who were massaged. Massage is one of the oldest healing techniques used to help us overcome psychological and physical health problems.

Research indicates that massage can be of value in helping reduce stress, anxiety and depression. Massage causes the body to release many therapeutic mood and health enhancing chemicals; it increases dopamine and serotonin and reduces the stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline . Clients who suffer from depression and possible suside ,cleints who are hospitalized foor depression , masssge can help decrease stress, anxeity and symptoms of depression . Giving massage with aromatherapy may help , lavender , basil , orange , sandlewood, lemon , jasmine, sage , chamomile , peppermint , rosmary . 

Massage for deppression is effective bydetoxing the whole sytem can can be done with soothinng depression . 

11 . Loss of weight;  A sudden or unexplained loss of weight may be indicative of cancer or of an eating disorder and therefore require investigation. If a person loses a lot of weight you should not massage until the person has got permission from the doctor or gained weight. (Handbook for clinical massage p9 ).Dieters can gain many benefits from regular massage therapy.

Massage is known to lower stress, improve circulation, improve mobility and speed recovery from overdoing it at the gym.

Massage also helps break down scar tissue built up from damage to the muscles, which further helps mobility and circulation.

Finally, massage helps flush toxins from the body, meaning your body can focus on the healthy foods you are eating and not the environmental toxins that build up over time.

For those who have led a sedentary lifestyle before starting to lose weight. Massage also helps reduce soreness by stretching, kneading and rubbing the muscles and keeping them loose.

12. H.I.V :

The benfits of massage include releif from aches and pains reducations in emotioanl stress of living with condition , possible improvements breathing , sleep pattens. and digestion and improvments in the immune system use a gentle massage . 

13 . Cancer . Client diagnosed and receiving treatment 

Gentle massage can be benfical and supportive in situations were the cancer patient si terminal massage therapy can be a valuable part of patient care .

Cancer can spead through the lymphatic system and becasue massage increases lymphatic circulation ,it may potentially spread the disease as well . A simple ,caring touch is fine . but massage stimulation  is not so check with the doctor first. Masssage therapy is oe of o the most relaving forms of touch avalible . Massage therapy also has many health benfits , but there have been concern that massage circulation can effect the tumor research continues to dispute the orginal concerns althtough as long as its not lymphatic cancer and as long as. their viality is high ,its fine . I belevie tat anythings that relevies stress and and makes a person ahappier will help them fight the disease .

14. Children . , Toddlers og one year who wake frequently of a night without medical cause . 

Touch can be a sooting tool by providing a nuturing massage you will ease sore muscles and enocurage relaxarion . You can use any natural oil for your massage it is not a controindication massge can be benefical fo rr asleepless child so it  can be benfiical  many experts belevie that it is during the quiet alert state that infants leanr best and start to communicate . MAssge may be one way in which parents can increasse the amount of quiet alert time a baby expereinces . Many term infants while receive regualer massage typically move into a quiet alert atate during the massage session .