Massage Contraindications: Conditions Preventing Treatment

Contra-indications of massage that would prevent a treatment:

- Fever

- Skin infections (bacterial: staph, ringworm, MRSA; viral: herpes simplex, shingles, warts; fungal: athlete's foot, candidiasis)

- Recent surgery (6 weeks or consult with surgeon or doctor)

- Acute injury (e.g. bruising, swelling) (1 week or consult with a healthcare professional)

- Recent fracture or dislocation (6 weeks or consult with a doctor or healthcare professional)

- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

- Varicose veins or superficial phlebitis

- Unstable angina

- Acute myocardial infarction

- Advanced heart failure

- Hypertension (uncontrolled)

- Thrombocytopenia (platelet count below 50,000)

- Leukemia or lymphoma

- Unstable diabetes (type I)

- Pregnancy (first trimester)

- Cancer (active or untreated)

- Radiation therapy (current or recent)

- Psychiatric conditions (if in doubt consult with healthcare professional)

- Severe osteoporosis

- Kidney stones or kidney infection

- Epilepsy

- Infectious disease (e.g. COVID-19)