Massage Precautions

Dallas, Texas (WiredPRNews.com) — After a hard day at work, chauffeuring kids to practices and helping them with their homework, shuffling back and forth between work and home can be very stressful. Sometimes we all like to kick back for some well needed R&R by hitting the spa for a massage. Massage is an age-old technique that has been used for centuries to aid in the speed of healing and to increase the circulation of blood. After a full body massage, we walk out of the spa rejuvenated and refreshed. And although that excruciating pain in your back may not be gone after one session, you feel a great sense of relief. But are there certain times that you should skip a massage?

Certified massage therapist Martha Young says there are times you should avoid massages. If the patient has a rash for instance, massage therapists will always stay away from those areas because massaging that area could cause more irritation. It is also important to consult your doctor to see if a massage is appropriate for you. For example, it is not recommended for non-medicated patients with high blood pressure, as massage stimulates blood-flow and could increase complications. It is best to ask your doctor before you go in for that relaxing massage as a necessary precaution.

There are some wide misinterpretations of massage that Shannon Grant, a massage therapist wants to clear up. Some may believe that massage can fix broken bones. However this is not true. Young goes on to express that massage cannot be your quick fix. Some pain can be caused by excessive weight. In order to reduce some of the pain, you should incorporate exercise and a healthy diet into your lifestyle.