Your Partner in Wellness

Here are some common contraindications—fancy talk for “reasons to hold off on a massage.” Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean massage is never an option for you. It just means a little extra care or timing is needed.

Blood Clots (Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT)

If you have a blood clot, massage could potentially dislodge it and send it traveling to places it really shouldn’t go (like your lungs). That’s serious business. Blood clots need to be treated and resolved before you receive massage therapy. If you’re on blood thinners or have a history of clots, talk to your doctor first and give our office a heads-up so that our therapist can review your intake form and follow-up as needed.

Active Chemotherapy and Certain Cancer Diagnoses

While gentle touch can be incredibly soothing at all stages of cancer treatment, deep tissue massage and certain techniques can interact negatively with chemotherapy and your body’s recovery. To best serve you, we need to wait to see you until after you have completed chemotherapy treatments. Our oncology-trained massage therapist is available to answer questions about long-term modifications to massage that may be necessary as well.

Fever or Infectious Illness

Whether it’s the flu, COVID, or even just a case of athlete’s foot—please stay home and heal first. Not only does your body need all the energy it can to get better, but massage can actually make symptoms worse in some cases. Plus, we want to keep the studio a safe space for all clients.

Acute Injuries

If you’ve had a recent fall, twisted something, or you’re nursing a fresh sports injury, working on these areas may be locally contraindicated for some techniques. Let our office know ahead of time so that your therapist can review your form and follow-up as needed.

Neuropathy Especially if you’re looking for focused work on the affected areas, this one can be disqualifying. Neuropathy affects your ability to gauge pain and pressure in the affected area, meaning we need to be extra cautious there and avoid focused work like a reflexology session.

Recent Vaccinations

After a vaccine (like the flu shot or COVID booster), your immune system is on high alert. You might feel a little sore, achy, or tired. Some people even experience a mild fever or other reactions. Give yourself a few days before jumping on the massage table, just to let your body do its thing.

The Bottom Line

Your wellness is a long game, and sometimes the best thing you can do it wait. If you’re ever unsure whether a massage is safe for you, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office or ask your healthcare provider. We’re here to support your health—not to complicate it.

So, stay safe. Stay well. And when the time is right, we can’t wait to welcome you back.