When to Say No to Massage

• Arteriosclerosis(hardening of the arteries) - Avoid in advanced stages to avoid dislodging clots or thrombi.
• Autoimmune (Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma) - Avoid during inflammatory stages or acute flare ups, when the skin can be painful to the touch.
• Circulatory problems - Avoid any kind of body-warming massage, which could cause blood pressure to fall.
• Deep-vein thrombosis – Avoid; massage increases the risk of a clot being released and traveling to the lungs.
• Diabetes – Avoid if you have loss of sensation (diabetic neuropathy); avoid area of recent insulin injection because massage may accelerate insulin uptake.
• Herpes - Avoid infected area because blister fluid could spread virus to the massage therapist.
• HIV-AIDS – OK for patient, but massage therapist should wear gloves if there are skin lesions and avoid these areas.
• Low platelet count – only very gentle massage to avoid bruising or hematoma.
• Osteoporosis - Check with your doctor; if osteoporosis is moderate or severe, massage can cause bones to break.
• Varicose veins – Avoid affected veins because they can be painful and the protruding area of the vein should not be manipulated

Judith Schoolman is a freelance journalist and adjunct professor of journalism at New York University and City University of New York.