It’s happened to almost everyone. You are involved in a car collision and you’re hurting. Your neck, shoulder, maybe even your hip or an arm or leg. Violent force against a seat belt keeps you safe, but the body will take a beating regardless. Your first thought might be; I need a massage and my body will feel better! As tempting a thought as that might be, know that if you come in for a massage after a trauma like a car collision, you will be turned away at Frisco Massage Therapy. Here are some examples of when a therapeutic massage is NOT a choice for treatment.
Contraindications for therapeutic massage:
- Within 72 hours up to a week + of an acute injury including – car accident, fall, broken bone, concussion, sprain, etc. Therapeutic massage is very effective in helping after the initial injury has been evaluated by medical staff and cleared for massage treatment.
- Post-surgery – manual lymphatic drainage is the appropriate massage modality after surgery. Any therapeutic work must be done after the doctor has cleared you for “back to normal” activities.
- In the first trimester of pregnancy – Frisco Massage Therapy policy prevents therapeutic work in the first three months of pregnancy but can be started after that point, keeping the doctor informed of your activities. In a high risk pregnancy, a doctors release is required before the massage can be scheduled. Forms can be found on our website.
- Diagnosis of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) – All massage is contraindicated with DVT.
- Advanced diabetes and neuropathy – In advanced stages of neuropathy and unchecked diabetes, the extremities no longer signal the brain of unhealthy pressure and pain. Deep therapeutic massage is not advised for these conditions, but can be helped with manual lymphatic drainage to reduce swelling or a lighter Swedish massage to manage stress and discomfort.