Massage Contraindications: A Comprehensive Guide

Question
Hi,
I have started a massage course and am struggling with finding out the reasons why the following are contraindocators to massage.
Bruising
infectious/contagious diseases
Sunburn
Diabetes
Oedema
Many thanks
Ash


Answer
Greetings Ash. Contraindications (CIs) are a bit confusing, as they take a firm knowledge of the effects of massage, the body, and pathology (the last one probably being the hardest). I'll list the reasons for the conditions in the order you list them.

A bruise is an area under the skin where the capilaries are broken and bleeding into the tissue. This means that there is some damage in that area, and massage here could increase the damage, the breakages, and slow the healing time. A bruise is also probably a tiny bit painful, so pressing on it will not make your client happy.

Contagious diseases should be obvious: you don't watch to catch it! Some diseases, like ringworm and shingles, are extremely contagious (not to mention quite painful to the touch).

Sunburn would also be too painful to massage. And since a sundurn is damage to the skin, there is a very slight risk of them catching an infection.

Diabetes itself does not CI massage. As long as the person is healthy, and they pay attention to their blood sugars, they can recieve massage. With this group, it is nice to have some juice handy in case their blood sugar drops too far after the massage. Massage does naturally lower sugars, as it increases circulation, increasing the amount of sugar the body has access to. The condition here that could CI massage is if they have some peripheral neuropathy. Advanced diabetes can cause total loss of feeling in their legs and put them at risk of seriuous infections in their feet. This usually just locally CIs massage, as the client could not give you accurate feedback about pressure and pain. It could also infect some small cuts that even they don't know they have.

Edema, or swelling, is actually INDICATED for one type of massage: lymphatic drainage. This gentle massage can actually decrease edema, as it helps the trapped lymphatic fluid flow out of the limb. Regular massage causes the lymphatic capilaries to collapse, preventing the egress of fluid, and potentially causing MORE swelling. This can then lead to other problems in the nerves and blood vessels.

One great resource for pathology is the WebMD site. You can use this to learn about a condition. You have to then apply what you know of massage and its effects on the body. Would massage help, hinder, or do nothing to a certain condition?

I hope this was of some help, Ash. Please feel free to write back if you have any other questions.

Sincerely,
Christopher Hall