Massage therapy is a popular form of physical and mental care, but it’s important to recognize that massage therapy can be contraindicated for certain medical conditions.
Before you receive a therapeutic massage from a certified massage therapist in New Jersey like the ones here at Pampered Spirit, it is essential to have an open dialogue about any health concerns or massage contraindications that could arise. This conversation must take place before the start of each massage therapy session in order to ensure the safety of both parties involved.
By having this discussion beforehand, a massage therapist can better understand their client’s needs and adjust the treatment accordingly. Addressing massage contraindications helps prevent adverse effects during or after a massage therapy session which could lead to further injury and complications.
Understanding The Benefits Of Massage
If you are seeking massage therapy from a massage therapist the good news is that there truly are many great benefits.
Alleviates Muscle Pain and Tension
One of the primary reasons people turn to massage therapy is to alleviate muscle pain and improve blood flow and tension. Studies have shown that massage therapy can effectively reduce inflammation and increase blood flow, leading to muscle relaxation and improved flexibility.
Furthermore, it helps to break up adhesions (scar tissue) from previous injuries or overuse, ultimately leading to greater muscle function and reduced pain.
Enhances Mental Well-being
Massage therapy not only offers physical relief but also plays a vital role in enhancing one’s mental well-being. Massages are known to stimulate the release of endorphins – ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain that help to reduce stress and anxiety, promote relaxation, and enhance our overall mood. Additionally, massage helps to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels, which can lead to a quieter mind and a more restful night’s sleep.
Boosts Immune Function
Did you know that massage therapy can boost your immune system? Research suggests that regular massage can increase white blood cell production, which plays a vital role in protecting your body against illness and disease. Additionally, lymphatic massage helps to promote healthy circulation of lymph (a fluid that contains infection-fighting white blood cells), supporting your body’s natural detoxification process and defending against possible infections.
Promotes Better Sleep
If you’re struggling with insomnia or poor sleep quality, massage therapy might be the answer you’re looking for. Through the reduction of stress and anxiety and the promotion of relaxation, massage therapists can aid your journey to a more restful sleep. By targeting specific pressure points, certain types of massage – like reflexology – can directly influence sleep-inducing hormones such as melatonin, helping to regulate your sleep cycle.
Supports Injury Recovery
Massage therapy is an essential component of many physical therapy and rehabilitation programs. It helps to improve circulation, deter muscle atrophy and weakness, and support overall muscle function in people recovering from injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditions. Sports massage therapy, in particular, is beneficial for athletes, both professional and amateur, aiding in the prevention of injuries and supporting recovery from strains or sprains.
What Are Massage Contraindications
Contraindications are circumstances or conditions in which a specific healthcare practice, procedure, and treatment should not be used due to increased risk.
A contraindication may arise due to a patient’s medical history such as allergic reactions, high blood pressure, or pre-existing disease such as cancer patients. It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of any contraindications when treating patients, as using certain medications or treatments at the wrong time could have serious and possibly negative long-term consequences. Knowing key information about a patient’s medical history can help identify potential contraindications and ultimately provide the best possible health care for their individual needs.
Possible Massage Contraindications And Concerns
Massage therapy can provide a range of mental and physical benefits, but there are some possible contraindications and health concerns that could effect its use. It should always be conducted by a trained professional who is familiar with the medical history of the client being treated. Some massage techniques may not be appropriate for those suffering from extreme restrictive skin disease such as scleroderma, certain heart conditions, infections or other illnesses.
It may also be unwise to massage areas where there have been recent surgeries or fractures and for cancer patients particularly near cancerous growths due to potential manipulation of affected tissues. Before having massage treatments, a consultation is advised in order to ensure the therapy is suitable; if necessary this can involve discussion with the person’s physician.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
When you have an injury or chronic pain in your muscles, ligaments, and tendons, massage therapy can help reduce pain and discomfort by loosening tight muscles and restoring movement. However, if you are dealing with musculoskeletal injuries such as fractures or sprains, certain areas of your body should be avoided or treated gently during a massage session. It’s important to consult with your doctorand get medical treatment before booking a massage appointment if you have an injury or chronic pain that needs to be addressed.
Cardiovascular Conditions
Massage is known to improve circulation and promote better blood flow throughout the body. However, if you suffer from cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure or heart disease, it’s important to consult with your doctor first before entering the treatment room. During your treatment session, the therapist should avoid any areas that could cause increased blood pressure or strain your cardiovascular system such as your feet and abdomen.
Respiratory Conditions
If you have respiratory conditions such as asthma or allergies, seeking massage therapy can be beneficial in reducing symptoms such as chest congestion and shortness of breath by promoting better oxygen flow in the body. If you suffer from these types of respiratory conditions, it’s best to inform your therapist ahead of time so they can adjust any techniques that may trigger breathing problems during the session.
The Risks of Ignoring Contraindications
If a massage therapist ignores contraindications or fails to recognize them in their clients before beginning a session, they could be putting their client’s health in danger. For example, if a client has recently had surgery on their back or neck area but has not informed the therapist about it before starting the session, this poses a major risk as certain pressure points could cause further damage to the area or even increase pain levels. Additionally, certain medical conditions such as heart problems or high blood pressure require special considerations during massage therapy sessions that might not be taken into account if the therapist does not know about them ahead of time.
The Importance of Massage Therapist Client Screening
In order to avoid any risks associated with ignoring contraindications and health concerns during therapeutic massage therapy sessions it is essential that clients fill out an intake prior to each session so that they can provide important information regarding their current state of health or any recent changes in their condition that might affect how the session should proceed.
This assessment should also include questions related to any medications they are taking which may interact negatively with massage therapy techniques being used in the session such as hot stones or deep tissue manipulation. Having this information ahead of time allows both parties to prepare accordingly so that potential risks can be avoided while still providing an effective massage therapy experience for everyone involved.
When Is Referral Necessary?
There are a few situations in which a referral is necessary before a massage treatment can be done safely and effectively.
If your client is pregnant or has recently had surgery, they should check with their doctor before beginning massage therapy. Also, if they have an infectious disease or any kind of cancer they should consult with their primary care physician before starting massage treatment.
Final Thoughts About The Importance Of Addressing Contraindications Before A Massage
It is essential that massage therapist is aware of any contraindications or health concerns their clients may have before beginning massage treatments. This can be done by having the client fill out an intake form prior to each appointment and also asking them questions related to any medications they might be taking which could interact negatively with certain massage therapy techniques.
In some cases, a referral from a doctor may even be necessary in order for massage therapy sessions to take place safely and effectively. Address these issues so that both parties involved can benefit from the therapeutic experience without the risk of harm!
Call 732-299-8793 or Contact Us to Book Your Massage Appointment
Bridget Riley brings the spa experience into NJ client’s homes based on the theory that an hour of body work should be followed by an hour of rest. She is the owner of Pampered Spirit, the premier mobile massage business in the State of New Jersey. Pampered Spirit has a boutique location which serves as a dispatch center for mobile massage therapists and a serene enclave for onsite clientele.
Ms. Riley’s wellness empire has been featured on national television and has grown to 40 team members strong. In addition to being an established body worker and certified massage therapist, as a wellness coach she has orchestrated workshops for several universities and companies.
Notable clients include NFL Films and the Atlantic City Convention Center. As the industry continually evolves, so does Miss Riley. Her current focus is Wellness Coaching after studying the subject at Duke University.