Massage Precautions

Though massage can be beneficial for many people, in some circumstances it should be avoided or modified.

Health Conditions

People with the following health conditions should not receive a massage:

In otherwise healthy people, massage should not be performed directly on:

The following types of people should receive massage only with certain modifications:

Pregnant women: A woman should not have a massage during the first trimester. For the rest of the term, she may receive a massage lying on her side or however else is comfortable. Only light work should be done on the lower back and sacrum. In addition, certain acupressure points should not be worked.
The elderly: Direct pressure on bones, especially the ribs, should be avoided. Caution should be taken not to tear the skin, which is thinner in older people.
Cancer patients: Considerations vary greatly from person to person, but some cautions are universal. There should be no massage over a tumor or the site of a recent surgery or radiation. If lymphatic tissues have been removed (as is most common in breast cancer surgeries), the affected arm or leg should not be massaged. Consult a doctor about case-specific adjustments that should be made.