If you have inflammation of any kind massage to the area will further aggravate the situation. Massage increases blood flow. If you have high blood pressure that is not under control, the increased blood flow that is a result of massage therapy may cause problems.
If you have uncontrolled inflammation you may not want to get a massage. The massage may actually increase the inflammation due to the pressure applied and the possibility for increased circulation of inflammatory markers. It is good to control the inflammation first prior to scheduling a massage.
Inflammation from injury or infection. Acute medical conditions such as recent injuries, treatments or surgical procedures. Certain medications can be a contraindication for massage or require special precautions. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs, especially if sensation or cognition are affected.
Massaging a strained muscle helps to increase blood flow to the muscle, which in turn helps to reduce inflammation and break up any scar tissue or knots in the muscle; studies have also shown that improved blood flow helps to increase muscle temperature, resulting in improved muscle elasticity and flexibility.
“I think people with autoimmune diseases feel like their body has betrayed them in some way,” she says. “Their body is doing something it is not supposed to do and it alienates them from their body. Massage therapy can help them get in touch with their body in a positive way.”
Massage therapy produces a healthy inflammation response. It slightly depresses the immune system for a moment so the body and brain turns on chemicals to nourish the body and recover in areas that need it.
An acute injury is a sudden, sharp, traumatic injury that causes pain. Typically the result of an impact or trauma such as a fall, strain, sprain or collision. Massage shouldn't be performed on the injured site because it encourages circulation and can increase swelling during the body's initial response to injury.
By improving blood circulation and promoting the release of endorphins, massage therapy can enhance the body's natural healing processes, providing significant relief from nerve pain. Swedish massage is one of the most recommended techniques for treating pinched nerves.
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.
One of the first red flags in a massage session is a lack of communication. If the therapist doesn't take the time to ask about your pain points or preferences before starting, that's a sign of trouble.
Contagious skin conditions (boils, warts, or herpes) Other skin conditions (burns, rashes, or sores) Circulatory system issues (high blood pressure, varicose veins, or stroke) Digestive system issues (ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or colitis)
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.
As Claire Gavin, a Toronto-based RMT explains, “Massage helps relieve pain and eases the muscle stiffness associated with arthritis by improving circulation, helping to reduce inflammation. That translates to enhanced blood flow to arthritic joints, improved movement, and reduced pain,”.
Apply ice. If you are feeling sore after the massage, you can apply ice to the affected area for 10-20 minutes at a time. This will help to reduce inflammation and muscle pain. Your massage therapist can also give you specific instructions on how to apply ice.
A contraindication is a pre-existing medical condition that could make it inadvisable for a massage treatment to be carried out. This could either be due to conditions that could put your client at risk as well as illnesses that could be contagious and potentially affect you and your place of work.
Moreover, too much inflammation acts counterintuitively and actually damages your cells, nerves, and tissues. Massages can reduce the inflammation to ease your pain and prevent further injury.
At the tissue level, inflammation is characterized by redness, swelling, heat, pain, and loss of tissue function, which result from local immune, vascular and inflammatory cell responses to infection or injury [5].
Inflammation typically causes changes in tissue texture, such as increased warmth, swelling, and tenderness. While these changes may be subtle, an experienced RMT may be able to pick up on them during a session. In addition to assessing tissue texture, a RMT may also notice other signs of inflammation during a session.
To a healthy person, pastured eggs can be good. To a person with autoimmune, they can cause havoc that probably wouldn't happen in a healthy person. Eggs can allow proteins (usually lysozyme, from the egg white) to cross the gut barrier where they don't belong and contribute to molecular mimicry.
Nightshade vegetables, including tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and eggplants, contain a compound called solanine, which may contribute to inflammation and joint pain for some individuals with autoimmune diseases.