When getting a massage is a bad idea...

Massage therapy is a treatment whose sole purpose is to make us feel better and to add to our health. It relaxes us and boosts our bodies immune response, but sometimes it's not the best treatment for us. Massage therapy can actually intensify your symptoms or cause other issues to arise that are uncomfortable or unwanted at times. Here are a few examples of when massage therapy is not such a great idea.

• Impending illness- Regular massage sessions can keep you healthy but If you're already coming down with a cold or other illness, massage can exacerbate your symptoms making you feel worse. It's best to wait a week or two before scheduling a massage to allow your body to heal and work through it on its own.

• While using pain relievers or muscle relaxers- This is not a good time to get a massage because you can't accurately communicate with the therapist about pain or pressure. That could be a problem because the therapist may accidentally injure you with out that oh so important feed back. 

• While getting treatment from a doctor or physical therapist with out their knowledge of adding massage therapy-  Let your physician or PT know that you are seeing a massage therapist, as this may interfere with their treatment. It's best to double check with them first to make sure massage is indicated for your specific situation.

• First trimester of pregnancy- While there is no concrete evidence that massage is harmful during the first trimester of pregnancy, it's always a good idea to approach this time with caution. High risk pregnancies are usually a "no-go" for massage, so it's best to wait and make sure your pregnancy is without complication before booking a session. Some therapists will request that you wait until the beginning of your second trimester to schedule your first prenatal massage.

Remember  to discuss any health concerns with your massage therapist and to let them know if your health history has changed since your last visit.

Tell me:
How does massage help you stay healthy?
Leave me a comment- I love hearing from you!

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Hi! I’m Hillary Arrieta and I help people improve their lives by offering holistic solutions to ease stress, eliminate pain, and inspire self care practices. I own The Heeling Hut in Plano, TX. Where I teach workshops, write,  and specialize in unique and effective massage and meditation techniques such as Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage and iRest® Yoga Nidra. At The Heeling Hut you'll find the best massage in the Dallas area for pain and stress management. Texas MT 040051

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