Infectious Skin Conditions: A number of infectious conditions of the skin can be transmitted between client and massage therapist during massage if the massage therapist is unaware of the outbreak. These include herpes, cold sores, and ringworm. Likewise, as in the case of warts, a massage therapist can unknowingly spread the contagion from one area of the client's body to another.
Other Conditions: People with rheumatoid arthritis, goiter (a thyroid disorder characterized by an enlarged thyroid), eczema and other skin lesions, should not receive massage therapy during flare-ups. Experts also advise that people with osteoporosis, high fever, few platelets or white blood cells, as well as those recovering from surgery, should avoid massage.
Also, even if you are healthy some forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage and rolfing, can cause nerve damage. This is because the massage therapist has to exert pressure past the skin layer in order to manipulate muscles and connective tissues. An untrained therapist, or even a trained therapist who does not receive proper feedback from the client, might exert too much pressure resulting in temporary nerve damage to the client.
To be prudent, check with your doctor before making a massage appointment.
