Deep tissue massage has so many benefits, making it one of the most popular choices for individuals looking for relief from various conditions.
It targets layers of the muscles and connective tissues, helping to alleviate pain and chronic tension.
It can also help reduce muscle stiffness and improve mobility, especially among those individuals with conditions like sciatica and fibromyalgia.
Despite such benefits, several important restrictions have to be considered to ensure you enjoy the full advantages of this procedure. This article gives more details about such restrictions that you have to consider.
Infections or Open Wounds
The massage entails applying intense pressure to penetrate layers of muscles and connective tissues.
Deep tissue massage restrictions
Doing this can aggravate already existing infections or open wounds. The manipulation of infected or broken skin can introduce bacteria into the tissue, worsening the condition and possibly leading to more severe health issues. In addition, open wounds can become vulnerable and even more painful. This can slow the healing process if subjected to the pressure and friction of massage techniques. Since these are issues that you do not want to experience on top of your healing wounds or infections, it makes sense to avoid the massage altogether until you are fully healed. You should also open up to your therapist so they are aware of any existing issues that you may be experiencing.
Recent Surgery or Injury
Since you do not want to interfere with the healing process and cause further damage, it makes sense to be aware of the restriction that comes with recent surgery or injury. The technique uses intense pressure, which can cause intense pressure that can disrupt delicate surgical areas, stitches, or healing tissues. These issues can cause further complications like reopening wounds, scar tissue formation, and increased inflammation. In addition to this, recently injured areas like muscles, ligaments, and bones are in a vulnerable state and might not be in a position to withstand the penetrating pressure without aggravating pain or prolonging the recovery process. It is therefore important to give the injury or surgery enough time to heal before opting for the procedure.
Blood Clotting Issues
Clotting disorders like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are important considerations when looking to get the procedure done on you because of the increased risk of complications. As aforementioned, the procedure requires the application of pressure to the muscles and connective tissues, which can dislodge blood clots. Once this happens, the clots could travel to vital organs like the heart, lungs, or brain. In such situations, serious conditions like heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and stroke could come up. In addition to this, those patients using blood-thinning meds are at a high risk of bruising and excessive bleeding. The intense pressure used in the procedure can cause this. To avoid such issues, consider consulting with your healthcare provider to get enough advice on whether the procedure is right for you.
Bone Disorders
Individuals dealing with different bone disorders such as osteoarthritis or other conditions that cause fragile or weakened bones might experience aggravated symptoms after the session. The reasoning behind this is that the procedure entails the use of firm pressure to manipulate layers of muscle and connective tissues, which can be quite intense for those with bone disorders. The force used during the process can cause accidental bone fractures and aggravate existing conditions. This can cause excess pain and delayed recovery. To help prevent such scenarios, it is important for those with bone conditions to seek medical advice before going for the procedure. They should also alert their therapist prior to the procedure.
Pregnancy
Some techniques and the manipulation of certain pressure points might not be safe for expectant mothers. The process requires the use of intense pressure, which can be uncomfortable or harmful, especially in areas like the lower back or abdomen. Doing this can be quite sensitive during pregnancy. It could even cause hormonal changes and increased blood flow, making pregnant women susceptible to swelling and discomfort, creating the need for a gentler approach.
Understanding the different restrictions associated with the procedure is important for ensuring both safety and effectiveness. As mentioned in the article, conditions like open wounds, surgery, injury, pregnancy, blood clots, and bone disorders can significantly affect the effectiveness of such a procedure. It is therefore important to communicate in prior about such existing conditions and seek the guidance of your healthcare provider before going for the therapy. You should also consider working with the right experts because they will have your interests at heart.