Is Massage the Answer?
Massage therapy is beneficial in a wide range of scenarios and can help with so many health conditions, both acute and chronic. We’ve previously talked about massage benefits for chronic pain, diabetes, and women’s health—and the benefits don’t stop there!
That said, there are situations where massage therapy isn't the answer. In this blog, we’ll run through a few scenarios when you should talk to a doctor or wait a while before scheduling your appointment.
Early Pregnancy
Prenatal massage is great for expectant moms looking to relieve aches and pains. However, we require that you wait until booking after your first trimester is over. Why? Let’s put it this way: when your bun has just recently been put in the oven it’s a bit more fragile than when it’s ready to come out.
The American Pregnancy Association notes that while massage during pregnancy can have many benefits, there is, however, an increased risk of miscarriage during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy. This is why many facilities, including Massage Studio, do not offer massages until after you and your little one have passed the risk period!
While normally we can enjoy and benefit from moving our muscles and getting our blood flowing, it’s a little precarious during such an early stage in your pregnancy and we want our clients to be as safe and healthy as possible! Other potential risks include triggering contractions and increased blood flow.
After Sunday’s Bottomless Mimosa Brunch
A day that includes both a mimosa brunch and a relaxing massage sounds like our kind of fun. If it’s also yours, be sure that the massage comes before the alcohol. As you probably already know, drinking alcohol dehydrates the body, which can diminish the effectiveness of a massage. It’s also important to know some of the other effects of alcohol and how they can reduce the benefits of your massage.
After drinking, both your physical and mental senses become impaired, which means that the amazing feeling of a massage might not feel like much. That’s no fun and certainly not what you paid for! In addition to not getting the full experience of a massage, if your nerves are desensitized due to alcohol, you might not be able to tell if a stressed muscle is being manipulated too much. As a result, you could leave the massage feeling worse!
If you’re still tempted to book a massage after brunch, just remember, your stomach might not agree with you lying face down with a bunch of champagne and citrus juice in your system...and none of us want that. So, next time you plan your massage, book it when you know you will be hydrated and ready to be refreshed!
If You’re Currently Sick
While massage works wonders for boosting your immune system, it can only help before you get sick. If you’re currently fighting an illness, including a cold, flu, virus, or skin infection, it’s best to stay home and wait until you’re feeling better.
The disadvantages of a massage when you’re sick is that it can possibly hinder your body’s ability to fight off infection in multiple ways. The pressure, heat, and movement on your body during a massage stimulate the lymphatic system—one of your body’s main tools for healing from infection. While stimulating this system is exactly what gives you an immune boost while you’re well, overstimulating it when you’re already sick can cause additional stress to an already overworked body. Plus, lying face down definitely won’t help you fight off that stubborn stuffy nose and you might actually find yourself pretty uncomfortable.
Staying home when sick isn’t just for your health, but also for the safety of our massage therapists and other guests. We’ve introduced new protocols in response to COVID-19 that have the added benefit of reducing the spread of other viruses and bacteria, but it’s still best to stay home and protect others when you’re sick. When you’re fully recovered and ready to get back out into the world, what better to treat yourself with than a therapeutic massage?
When Your Body Isn’t Ready
Like we mentioned before, getting a massage could potentially exacerbate a strained muscle if you aren’t careful—and this goes double for injuries. If you’re healing from a recent injury or surgery or just experienced a fall or other accident, you should stay home until you’ve received clearance from a doctor to get a massage. We want you to feel your best and we don’t want to hurt you!
Massage therapy is never a substitute for medical care. If you’ve recently had surgery, been in an accident, or hurt yourself in general, it is best to consult your doctor before booking a massage. Once you’ve received the all clear, massage therapy makes an excellent addition to your healing regimen as you work to regain your strength and get your body back to normal after an injury or surgery.
Still Not Sure?
If you have a specific health concern, our expert team is happy to let you know whether or not they’ll be able to perform a massage. Simply get in touch before booking your appointment and we’re happy to answer specific questions about our massage therapy options, and any possible contraindications. If you’re still worried, you’ll have the opportunity to consult with your massage therapist at the beginning of your appointment about any specific questions or underlying health conditions based on your intake form.