A contraindication is a condition or factor that serves as a reason to withhold a certain treatment.
Contraindications to sports and remedial massage include but are not limited to:
Acute soft tissue inflammation
Massage causes further damage to the tissue.
Open wounds
Massage causes further damage; (in any case, massage is far too painful)
Fractures and dislocations
If a ‘sprain’ hasn’t responded to RICE, (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) within 48 hours, you must see a GP or go to your nearest casualty department, to check no bones are broken
Myositis ossificans
A condition where bone tissue forms within the muscle – massage could cause damage to the surrounding soft tissue
DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
This is a potentially fatal contraindication; massage could cause the blood clot or part of it to travel to the lungs and block breathing
Varicose veins
Massage could damage the walls of the blood vessels further and even cause DVT. (However, massage avoiding the varicose veins and surrounding areas may be possible)
Infectious skin disease
For example; boils, ringworm, athlete’s foot – massage could open skin to further infection (blisters in folliculitis), or spread the infection to other parts of the body (lymphangistis)
Melanoma and other cancers
Massage could spread the tumour(s) around the body and/or stimulate its development
Haemophilia
Massage might start bleeding in the tissues
Diabetes (sometimes)
If the patient has poor sensitivity in extremities, they may be unable to feel pain properly and not be able to guide the practitioner accordingly