Benefits & Contraindications
BENEFITS
Experts estimate that upwards of ninety percent of disease is stress-related. And perhaps nothing ages us faster, internally and externally, than high levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Massage is an effective tool for decreasing cortisol, producing the following benefits:
- Decreased anxiety
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Greater energy
- Improved concentration
- Increased circulation
- Reduced fatigue
Massage helps to specifically address a number of health issues:
- Alleviate low-back pain and improve range of motion.
- Assist with shorter, easier labor for expectant mothers and shorten maternity hospital stays.
- Ease medication dependence.
- Enhance immunity by stimulating lymph flow, the body's natural defense system.
- Exercise and stretch weak, tight, or atrophied muscles.
- Help athletes of any level prepare for, and recover from, strenuous workouts.
- Improve the condition of the body's largest organ, the skin.
- Increase joint flexibility.
- Lessen depression and anxiety.
- Promote tissue regeneration, reducing scar tissue.
- Pump oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs, improving circulation.
- Reduce post surgery adhesions and swelling.
- Reduce spasms and cramping.
- Relax and soften injured, tired, and overused muscles.
- Release endorphins, the body's natural painkiller.
- Relieve migraine pain and more...
CONTRAINDICATIONS
A contraindication for massage therapy is a condition or symptom for which massage should be avoided because it presents a risk for the client's health. A local contraindication is one that can be avoided during a massage and will not be negatively affected by the massage. A systemic contraindication is one for which massage should be avoided altogether because massage could worsen the condition or spread disease.
SYSTEMIC
- Allergic Reactions, acute
- Aneurysm
- Appendicitis, acute
- Atherosclerosis, advanced
- Bronchitis, acute
- Bronchiectasis, acute
- Cellulitis
- Cold, acute stage & fever present
- Embolism/Thrombus (Blood Clots)
- Encephalitis, acute
- Fever
- Flu, acute stage
- Fungal Infections, acute
- Glomerulonephritis, if symptomatic
- Gout, acute
- Heart Attack, recent
- Heart Failure
- Hepatitis, acute
- Herpes Simplex, systemic infection
- Herpes Zoster, acute stage
- Hives, acute stage
- Impetigo
- Infection, acute
- Inflammation, acute
- Kidney Infections
- Lice & Mites
- Lupus, acute flare
- Lymphangitis
- Meningitis, acute phase
- Mononucleosis, acute stage
- Peritonitis
- Pneumonia, acute
- Poison Ivy/Oak
- Renal Colic, acute
- Renal Failure, acute & chronic
- Septic Arthritis
- Severe Hemophilia
- Sinusitis, acute infections
- Stroke, recent
- Tenosynovitis, acute stage
- Thrombophlebitis & Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Tuberculosis, active infection
- Ulcerative Colitis, acute & with fever
LOCAL
- Acne
- Baker Cysts
- Boils
- Bunions
- Burns, acute stage
- Bursitis, acute stage
- Cysts
- Decubitus Ulcers
- Dermatitis/Eczema, with blisters/lesions
- Fungal Infections
- Ganglion Cysts
- Hematoma, acute stage
- Herpes Simplex, acute stage
- Hives, subacute stage
- Myositis Ossificans
- Open Wounds & Sores
- Osgood-Schlatter Disease, acute flair
- Osteoarthritis, acute inflammation
- Peripheral Neurophathy, with numbness
- Psoriasis, acute stage
- Varicose Veins, extreme
- Warts
*Post-operative massage needs a doctor's approval