Recently, one of my colleagues was massaging a client with some health concerns. There was an issue with the skin that needed to be addressed, but when the therapist said something about it, the client wouldn't say anything except, it doesn't concern you. While it is understandable that people can feel self conscious about various health conditions, there are some things that we as therapists NEED to know. We're not trying to be nosy, we're just thinking about three things. 1) The safety of ourselves 2) The safety of our other clients 3) The safety of you.
When you see a Massage Therapist, you will always do a consultation with them as well as fill out a medical history chart. The reason for this is so the therapist knows what to work on, and also what NOT to work on. There are some conditions for which massage is contraindicated, or not allowed. For example: A client reveals that she was in a car accident and she's sore now. Can she get a massage? Maybe. Depends on more information. How bad was the accident? Did she get violently jostled? When did the accident occur? If she got into the accident that day and she was thrown around, then no. If there is any injury, it is in it's acute stage for a couple days and any massage work will make things worse rather than better. Now if the accident was a couple weeks ago, that's a different story. The injury has left the acute stage and the inflammation has gone down to the point where it's safe to work.
Example #2: I have a female client who has been seeing me for a long time and loves getting a Hot Stone massage. (Who can blame her? They're amazing.) One day, she comes in for a Hot Stone and during the session, she says, "Oh by the way, I'm pregnant." What do I do? End right then and there. Why? Hot Stone is completely contraindicated for pregnancy because it raises the internal temperature of the woman too much to the point where it can be harmful to the baby. That is also why pregnant women cannot go into hot tubs or saunas. Even though I had a medical history on her that said "not pregnant," (because at the time, she wasn't) it's important to inform your therapist of ANY health changes because that could change the kind of massage you get.
Example #3: A client recently went camping and fell into some poisoned oak and managed to get a rash. Is massage indicated or contraindicated? Beyond a shadow of a doubt, contraindicated. While there may be precautions I can take to prevent myself, such as wearing gloves, there is still a safety risk to the client. Massage could actually spread it to other parts of the body. However, that is only a local contraindication, so as long as massage is being done on non infected areas of the body.
What it comes down to is that full disclosure is necessary to everyone's health regarding massage. Even if you are embarrassed about any given condition, the therapists have the same confidentiality ethics that doctors have as well. Whatever is said in the room stays between you and the therapist. Even if other people such as receptionists have access to your paperwork, it is still confidential and will not leave the clinic. Please, for the safety of all concerned, be open about your health because it does in fact concern us.
