Disc herniation, soft tissue trauma, neurologic compromise, spinal cord injury, dissection of the vertebral arteries, and others were the main complications of massage. Spinal manipulation in massage has repeatedly been associated with serious AEs especially. Clearly, massage therapies are not totally devoid of risks.
Massage therapy is quite safe, but nothing's perfect. Strong, deep tissue massage causes the most trouble, of course. It may aggravate problems, instead of helping. Some chronic pain patients may be disastrously traumatized by intense massage (what I call a “sensory injury”).
“Shoulder strain of the deltoid and rotator cuff group muscles is extremely common in massage therapists,” explains Muscolino.
These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.
Professional boundaries in massage therapy are crucial for creating a respectful environment. Any form of non-consensual physical contact is strictly prohibited, including sexual advances or inappropriate touching.
Experiencing sharp pain or excessive discomfort during or after the session is a clear indication that the massage wasn't beneficial. While some discomfort can be normal, especially with deep tissue massage, it should never cross the line into sharp pain.
Certain skin conditions, such as open wounds, burns, rashes, or contagious skin infections (like impetigo or fungal infections), should not be treated with massage. Even non-contagious skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema may be aggravated by massage if not handled carefully.
Yellow Flags: The Psychological Side of Pain
They don't point to a serious physical problem but indicate that psychological and social factors might be making pain worse or prolonging recovery. Basically, they highlight the risk of someone developing chronic pain or disability.
You Are Super Stressed
When the massage begins all the signs are there. Our poor muscles become taut and tense during stressful times, especially so in the shoulders, nec,k and head. Constant muscle tension causes aches and pains too so there are usually some tender areas as well.
Don't get sexually excited, it's inappropriate.
Keep it professional. If you feel like you are getting excited think about something that will take that feeling away. If this is happening and you are not aware, the therapist may stop the massage and walk away for few minutes to give you a chance to calm down.
After a massage, lactic acid and metabolic waste products can be released into the bloodstream, causing flu-like symptoms and fatigue.
Your urine may become darker and smelly due to the stimulation of the kidneys. Your urination frequency may also increase throughout the day because your body is ridding itself of all the excess toxins. Lastly, you may feel sore and fatigued following your session.
Per the Institute for Integrative Healthcare, massage professionals should make their client aware of any possible consequences of a massage. Minor soreness and bruising may be expected, but some neck massages can actually lead to “stroke, paralysis, or death.”
The skin rashes that are contagious or sensitive should not be massaged. A sunburn is also contraindicated for massage therapy, and the sunburn should be healed first. If you have uncontrolled inflammation you may not want to get a massage.
Never touch the client's genitals or anus. Clients can only provide explicit consent to have their genital area and gluteal cleft exposed for the purpose of Massage Therapy during childbirth.
One of the most common side effects of massage therapy is muscle soreness. This occurs because massage techniques involve manipulating the muscles, which can cause temporary microtrauma to muscle fibres, similar to the effects of a workout.
The types of structures that are vulnerable in an area of caution may include arteries, veins, nerves, bursae, lymph nodes or vessels, or small and fragile bones. Examples of areas of caution for massage include the popliteal space behind the knee, the anterior cervical region, and the axillary region.
No worries, your therapist can easily work over the sheet to get to these pesky problem areas. Groin & pelvic pain can stick around for quite some time, so I would always suggest at least three or more sessions of massage to make a difference.
Emotional Intensity Trauma massage therapy can sometimes be emotionally intense. The release of stored trauma can bring up strong emotions, which may be overwhelming for some individuals. Not a Standalone Treatment While beneficial, trauma massage therapy should not replace traditional treatments like psychotherapy.