Contraindications

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When you go for a sports massage you may wonder why you spend 10 mins, 15 mins, or maybe longer talking about you and your health. There is a very good reason for this. The point is that the therapist needs to work out not only how best to treat you by questioning about your injury or reason for coming, but also to find out whether there are any reasons why you should not be treated, i.e. if there is a contraindication.

Contraindications are categorised as systemic, local and modifications.

Systemic contraindications are classed as illnesses or conditions which are severe in nature, acute, contagious, anything undiagnosed and anything uncontrolled. Systemic means the condition affects the whole body: massage should not be carried out under any circumstances. An example here would be compartment syndrome (over-developed muscles cause pressure on blood and nerve vessels). The vascular system is already under great strain and is compromised – to massage would simply add to that and worsen the situation, even if massage is carried out elsewhere on the body.

A local contraindication, e.g. varicose veins, is something that affects a particular area of the body: massage is possible providing you do not work on the affected area. But, if the condition is undiagnosed then the first step is always to refer the client to their doctor.

Modifications require the therapist to have an awareness and understanding of the condition before proceeding. Take osteoporosis as an example, treatment will depend on the stage and severity of illness as undue mechanical force can worsen the situation; but percussion and tapotement could encourage new bone growth, giving vital strength to weakened bones.

Once your consultation is over with the therapist will know whether or not they can treat you that day. I have only had to refuse treatment to one client: they had a kidney infection which is a systemic contraindication.

Lynne