Why Is Massage Often Contraindicated For Those With Cardiovascular Conditions?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,

Massage is contraindicated because

it may dislodge the clot which could send it through the circulation where it could lodge in the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism

-a life threatening condition.

Contents hide

How does massage affect the cardiovascular system?

During a massage,

pressure moves fluid around your body

, which can affect your heart and circulatory system, especially your blood pressure. Your therapist may need to check your blood pressure before and after.

Is massage appropriate for heart disease?


Regular massage

makes a positive difference for cardiac patients who are recovering from an event such as a stroke, heart attack or heart surgery, also. Although the heart cannot be massaged directly, it can benefit from the effects of the muscles in your body relaxing.

Which condition is contraindicated for massage?

There are also some medical contraindications that a massage therapist should have a client get a physician’s approval before attempting massage. Important medical contraindications include cardio-vascular conditions,

high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and pinched nerves

, to name a few.

Can you massage someone with congestive heart failure?

Therapists should avoid manipulating the area around pacemakers, stents, or other implanted devices. Patients with signs of congestive heart failure should

start with short massages

, and slowly work up to longer sessions, as tolerated.

Why is massage performed towards the heart?

The strokes are performed in the direction of the heart so that blood can be pushed through vessels towards the heart. Above: Massage

enhances the vascular pump of blood around the body

.

Is high blood pressure a contraindication for massage?

Patients with high blood pressure who are not on medication should rethink this hands-on therapy method. “Because getting a

massage will increase your blood flow

,” Young explained, “that increase in a patient with already high blood pressure could cause problems.” And cancer patients should be especially cautious.

Can massage Help atrial fibrillation?

Alterations in

vagal

tone can influence the atrial fibrillatory process by changing the atrial refractory period. We observed in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) that carotid sinus massage (CSM) changed a “coarse” type of fibrillation into a “fine” type, followed by termination of the arrhythmia.

Can massage therapy help heart health in any way?

Research shows that

massage helps your heart

Several studies show heart benefits from massage. For example: A review of 25 studies showed that 20-30 minute massages consistently reduced stress hormone and heart rate.

What type of massage is good for the heart?

Massage therapy has long been recognized as a means of bringing about feelings of peace and relaxation and reducing stress. While there are numerous techniques and methods, one of the most popular and most beneficial massage modalities is Swedish massage.

What is an example of a contraindication?

Anything (including a symptom or medical condition) that

is a reason for a person to not receive a particular treatment or procedure because it may be harmful

. For example, having a bleeding disorder is a contraindication for taking aspirin because treatment with aspirin may cause excess bleeding.

What are the conditions not to perform shiatsu massage?

The application of shiatsu techniques also has local contraindications such as

varicose veins

, wounds, bone fractures, recent scars, and areas of inflammation. Inflamed, painful joints, including arthritic joints, are contraindications for range of motion techniques.

Is peripheral artery disease contraindicated in massage?

Arteriosclerosis- Arteriole flexibility decreases with age.

Hardening of the arteries is

a contraindication to massage, especially deep tissue massage. If you suffer from any arterial disease or injury, including peripheral artery disease it is extremely important that you consult a doctor before receiving a massage.

How do you massage a heart?

Wise and colleagues[6] recommend a 2-handed technique for internal cardiac massage: a flat hand is placed under the posterior heart surface, and the other hand is placed on the anterior heart surface. The heart is squeezed from the apex upward at a rate of approximately 100 beats per minute.

What are the health benefits of massage therapy?

  • Reducing stress and increasing relaxation.
  • Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension.
  • Improving circulation, energy and alertness.
  • Lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
  • Improving immune function.

What is external cardiac massage?

The aim of external cardiac massage is

to cause the heart to pump blood to the other parts of the body

. It should be started simultaneously with artificial respiration in a victim whose heart has stopped beating (as made out by an absent pulse in the neck or groin).

How does massage benefit the circulatory respiratory system?

Massage can impact the circulatory system by:

increasing blood flow

.

increasing oxygen

.

increasing nutrients

.

What is an absolute contraindication in massage?

Put simply, if a patient presents with an absolute contraindication,

under no circumstances should a massage be performed

. For example, contagious diseases, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, severe pain, kidney disease, or a history of thrombosis are all considered absolute contraindications for massage.

Do massages lower heart rate?

A recent study published in the journal Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention showed that a simple

15 minute back massage each day for a week reduced anxiety

, lowered heart rates and blood pressure, and improved sleep quality.

What is hypertension and why is massage contraindicated?

Uncontrolled Hypertension

Massage

increases blood flow

. If you have high blood pressure that is not under control, the increased blood flow that is a result of massage therapy may cause problems.

How does massage affect blood pressure?

There are recent studies that have proven that massage can actually

lower blood pressure

more long term. Your blood vessels are actually made up of smooth muscle fibers that move together at one time to create a contraction or “pumping” action and then relax or dilate to allow the blood to flow.

What is the meaning of vagal maneuvers?

Vagal maneuvers are

used to try to slow an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT)

. These simple maneuvers stimulate the vagus nerve, sometimes resulting in slowed conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular (AV) node of the heart.

Can you massage the vagus nerve?

Research shows that

massages can stimulate the vagus nerve

, and increase vagal activity and vagal tone (31- 32). throat, can also stimulate the vagus nerve to reduce seizures (30).

Can a massage cause a stroke?

Deep muscle massages have been known to loosen arterial plaque. In other cases,

massages have torn the wall of the carotid arteries

, called dissection of an artery, leading to blood clots that, if dislodged, could travel to the brain, causing a blockage and stroke.

Can massage Help Angina?

Massage therapy can be used to reduce tension and pain and improve blood flow as a treatment for coronary heart disease.

Are blood thinners contraindicated for massage?

People taking blood thinners should be given a physicians approval before commencing massage treatment because they can be

bruised easily

which can lead to internal bleeding.

Why is it important to check for contraindications?

Checking for contra indications

prior to the treatment can easily prevent the possibility of a claim being made against you

.

What are the contraindication to immunization?

Medical conditions that are contraindications to vaccination include:

A severe allergic reaction

(e.g., anaphylaxis) to a vaccine component is a contraindication to any vaccine containing that component, and a severe allergy following a dose of vaccine is a contraindication to subsequent doses of that vaccine.

What are the three types of contraindications?

  • Varicose veins.
  • Undiagnosed lumps or bumps.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Bruising.
  • Cuts.
  • Abrasions.
  • Sunburn.
  • Undiagnosed pain.

Is edema contraindicated for massage?

Anything that moves muscle moves lymph! Edema is

a general contraindication for massage

because edema is literally “too much fluid” that has now pooled somewhere in the body because the body’s internal pumps have failed (think sump pumps in a flooded basement).

Is rheumatoid arthritis a contraindication for massage?

Massage cautions with RA


Massage should not be used for flaring or damaged joints

and you should check with your doctor about any other cautions before booking a massage. For instance, massage may not be recommended for your neck if you have active RA or damage in the neck joint.

What are the conditions on which body massage may produce unpleasant after effects?

  • Lingering Pain. Due to the pressurised techniques used in a deep tissue massage, some people have suffered from some version of pain during and/or after their therapy session. …
  • Headaches/Migraines. …
  • Fatigue or Sleepiness. …
  • Inflammation. …
  • Nausea.

What is total contraindication?

Total Contraindication –

A situation where massage is avoided completely

. This is usually for reasons presented by the customer and therapist safety and protection.

Can cardiac tamponade cause heart failure?

This can lead to

organ failure, shock, and even death

. Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency. If you or someone you know begins experiencing symptoms, seek medical help immediately.

Why do they punch the chest before CPR?

Procedure. In a precordial thump, a provider strikes at the middle of a person’s sternum with the ulnar aspect of the fist. The intent is

to interrupt a potentially life-threatening rhythm

. The thump is thought to produce an electrical depolarization of 2 to 5 joules.

How often should I get a massage?

It is recommended to be getting massaged

at least once every three weeks

(or every two) to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.