Wellness Practitioners are here to Help!

Discuss your situation openly with a therapist and find out what your options are.  Perhaps a Reiki session would be more conducive to your healing process instead of a traditional Swedish massage.

Listed below are some guidelines for those who have questions concerning specific health challenges. Experience the benefits of massage therapy and enjoy your journey.  

CANCER  

Malignant tumors can be spread through the lymphatic or blood vessels by a process called metastasis. Massage therapy generally increases circulation in the body. It could be a good idea to choose a wellness modality that does not use pressure on your body.  Consider looking into energy bodywork as an alternative to Swedish/hands-on massage, such as Reiki, acupuncture, crystal-healing, polarity, cranio-sacral, oxygen therapy, etc..

BENIGN TUMORS

Benign tumors are not malignant, so they don’t potentially spread throughout the body.  However, because massage on the tumor itself could cause inflammation or other challenges, direct massage  is prohibited.   Be sure to tell your therapist prior to the massage where the tumor is located so that they will avoid it.  Knowledge is power.

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CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE & BLOOD CLOTS

When blood vessels are dis-eased, they could be damaged by massage.  Also, clots in blood vessels can be dislodged by massage, creating a risk for heart attack, stroke or other serious injury.  If this is the case with your personal health, local/direct massage on these blood vessels is prohibited. Although some Swedish strokes may be applied in other areas of your body.  Talk to a therapist about your situation and look into energy bodywork.

SENSORY ABNORMALITIES

Wherever you cannot feel heat, pain or pressure should be made known to your therapist prior to massage. With this information, you and your therapist can decide what treatment would be the most beneficial for you. 

Every time you give your therapist information concerning your physical, mental or emotional state
you are preparing yourself for the best care possible. Offer personal information with a practitioner you trust.

SKIN DISORDERS

Direct massage is prohibited on any infectious skin disorder for good reason.  Any skin infection that you have could spread to other areas of your body by hands-on massage strokes.  Do not be shy to tell your therapist about your evident skin infections so to prevent any unnecessary future discomfort. 

Massage therapists are some of the most qualified and caring people available to help you.

BLEEDING & BRUISING

Blood carries the food of your cells, including invaders that like to create havoc.  In that case, it is not wise to touch anyone else’s blood, due to the possibility of invader transmission.  So remember to tell your therapist where your sores are so that they can avoid them.  Also, bruises need not to be massaged so mention those too.  If you are experiencing hemophilia, it is wise of you to inform your therapist so that you two can talk about your healing bodywork possibilities. 

INFLAMMATION

Massage therapy is prohibited over areas that are red, hot, swollen or painful.  Areas of the body which are inflamed due to a recent injury or a dis-ease should not be massaged.  During this acute period of healing, the body is gathering as much blood and lymph as it can to heal the site of injury with nutrients, oxygen, blood cells and nourishing lymph fluid.  The inflamed
area in the acute stage of healing does not need to be stimulated with a pressure-related massage. 

Try an energy "modality" and speed up the recovery time of your injury.

FEVER

General massage therapy is prohibited during fevers, since an elevated body temperature can be a sign of infection or other medical condition.  Resting somewhere peaceful would be better than a hands-on massage at this point.  Although, if you’d like to try energy bodywork to reduce the fever, feel free to call up an energy worker and ask for a professional opinion.

Sincerely Transcribed by Lapis Jean Emerson 2002 - LMP/Yogini

For the Crescent Moon Wellness Center..."Live Long & Prosper!"