Massage and Low Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know

Question
Hi,

I know a really easy question but can a massage be performed on someone with low blood pressure?

I'm trying to complete and assigment and as far as i can see - low blood pressure can benefit from massage butI was told by someone else that it is contra-indicated. Please can you help?

Thanks!

Laraine

Answer
Good evening Laraine.  Sorry to have taken so long to answer your question-I was away for the weekend.  Massage and low blood pressure-my only experience that I have had with this is excellent to lower blood pressure.  My model was a medical student.  He took his blood pressure before the massage and afterward the full-body massage.  At the end of the massage he took his blood pressure again.  It had dropped.  Now, you did not tell me the age of the patient.  That could have a big bearing on the answer you receive.  Generally speaking-low blood pressure is one of many things not just one condition.  I would not recommend massaging such a person without a clearance from his medical practitioner to do so.  For instance-the patient's low blood pressure could be the result of medication which lowers blood pressure to ease pressure on the heart.  Therefore, any massage pressure which could stress the patient could be fatal.  Generally speaking-I never recommend any massage practitioner to buy into anything medical.  Wait until the patient is clear from any medical practitioners of any sort-then you know that the patient is strong enough for a light massage.  You also know that you can do no harm then-unless the patient has been instructed not to receive massage treatments-at all.  I don't know if I answered your question or not-but you are welcome to get back to me if I can be of further assistance.  Good luck with your assignment.  Cheers from New Zealand!!