Is Massage Harmful to your Health? Massage is a type of therapy that is performed with the hands, feet, forearm, fingers, or elbows.
Massage is not only a relaxing activity that you can enjoy during your next stay at the spa; it also has healing and therapeutic properties. Massage therapy is extremely useful for relieving pain and muscle tension.
Despite all these advantages, massage is not suitable for everyone. Here are some of the ways massage can be harmful to your health:
After a therapeutic massage, a person may experience muscle pain due to constant friction and manipulation. You may feel uncomfortable during a massage session and feel much pain the next day.
An intensive massage leaves you without energy. Massage can excessively stimulate the neurological system, which can lead to stress fatigue. Often this fatigue can be relieved by hydration and relaxation.
You can also avoid tiring exercises, meetings, or intensive, stressful sessions after a massage. The nervous system is easily overloaded and you need some time to relax.
The pressure exerted during a massage can break the plaque and release blood clots to the circulation system. Although the risk is rare, blood clots may get into the heart and brain.
Deep vein thrombosis is a condition where blood clots in the veins. Patients with DVT are at risk. People with DVT often do not even know they have it. Massage greatly increases the likelihood that the clot will dissolve and enter the lungs.
During the massage, the therapist uses different oils and if the patient is allergic to any of them, allergic reactions such as rashes, etc. may occur. It is vital to inform the therapist before the session about these allergic reactions so that he does not use these oils.
Depending on the massage type, small bruises may appear, but they are temporary and will soon disappear.
The possibility of swelling depends on the type of massage performed and the patient’s previous illnesses.
As massage treats and removes toxins from the body, nausea can sometimes occur after treatment. It is not uncommon for patients to feel sick to the stomach within a few hours and days after the massage. If this happens, try to rest or drink water to reduce nausea and avoid stressful activities.
After the massage, the patient may experience temporary discomfort in the form of mild pain caused by constant friction and manipulation, which the body does not use.
Massage side effects are rare but can be harmful to your health. Excessive massage cause nerve damage or internal bleeding. To minimize the risk of these complications, your therapist must be informed of any medical conditions before the patient is placed on the operating table.
Massaging open wounds, blood clots or broken bones can lead to complications. In people with brittle bones, osteoporosis, or fragile bone diseases, bones can be further weakened by it. Although massage is generally beneficial for cancer patients, direct contact with the tumor area should be avoided as this can lead to complications.
During the massage, various infectious skin diseases can be transmitted between the client and the therapist if the therapist is not aware of the outbreak. These include fever blisters and ringworm. As with warts, the therapist may unconsciously transmit the infection from one part of the patient’s body to another.
Another negative side effect is an excessive dependence on massage in the treatment of all diseases. Massage therapy is not a substitute for chronic injuries or disease treatment. It has an effect but does not replace a visit to the doctor. If you suffer from chronic pain or muscle or joint pain, visit your doctor to treat the injury.
Some disease increases the risk of massage negative side effects. These include crushed bones, blood clots, cancer, burns, and injuries, other forms of arthritis, mysterious pain, and infectious skin diseases.
If you suffer from any of these or other serious diseases, consult your doctor before starting the massage. Many massage therapists are trained to work with patients receiving medical care, including oncology patients. Your doctor may have a list of these.