Over the years, massage therapies have been used to treat several health conditions, with many physicians even recommending you for therapy. Some of the benefits of a massage include alleviating chronic back and neck pain, reducing muscle adhesions and spasms, helping you to relax among many others. However, these benefits do not come without some costs, as side effects do happen, with some complications occurring in very rare cases. The side effects are common when the therapist is incompetent. This article looks at some potential side effects of a massage.
- Over-Reliance on Massage
Due to the many known benefits of massage therapy, many people tend to assume that once they have had massage therapy, they are good to go. This is very wrong since if you have a physical issue, it should not always be construed to be over after a therapy. You should always seek medical attention if you have a physical issue. Depending on the severity of the issue, only then can the physician can refer you to or recommend massage therapy and not the other way around.
- Bruises
Some massage therapists may sometimes use more than enough pressure to a point where bruises occur. They may also occur from the use of less oil, hence causing friction with the skin. Bruises are rare side effects and mostly occur when the therapists are incompetent and have no idea on the amount of oil and pressure to use on your skin. You should be advised that bruises are the first warning that the massage therapist is one step away from injuring your body, and you should tell them to stop once you feel some itching on the skin.
- Fractured Bones
Some people suffer from weakened bones, a rare condition known as osteoporosis. Other people go for massage therapies with injured bones because of accidents. Instead of such people getting relief from massage therapies, they undergo further injuries and their bones may be fractured further due to increased pressure, in which case the patient may be incapacitated for life. To avoid the risks of fractured bones, disclose to the masseur of any bone condition.
This stands for post-massage soreness and malaise. Due to long overuse and disuse of muscles and now sudden manipulation of the same, the muscles may tend to experience soreness for the first 36 hours after a massage. During this period, you may also experience mild pain and fatigue, after which you should be just fine. Although such soreness occurs in people who have not had a massage for some time, you should go back to the therapist if the PMSM persists for more than 36 hours after the massage. Experts advise that you should rest within this period to allow the body to gather more energy.
- Allergies
Most massages are done using some essential oils to reduce friction and accelerate the healing process of the muscles since some of these oils have healing properties. On the flip side, some people are allergic to some flavors in the oils or the oils themselves. Sometimes the allergies may be so serious and can sometimes lead to complications, in which case the physician can administer some antihistamines to reduce the effects of the allergies. To avoid such allergic reactions, you should disclose all the underlying health conditions before you climb on that massage bed.
- Complications
Rare complications are imminent if massage therapy is performed on people with several health conditions such as open wounds, blood clots, cancer tumors, weak bones, pregnant women, nerve issues and sometimes diabetes. If massage is performed on a pregnant woman and too much pressure is applied, it could induce labor. During a massage, energy levels spike due to the release of the fascia; this may have adverse effects on an individual with diabetes. In rare cases, the therapist may leave you with fractured blood capillaries, in which case internal bleeding may happen. This is fatal since death can even occur. To avoid such complications, be honest about your existing health conditions.
Most of these side effects are a result of incompetent massage therapists who manipulate your muscles in the wrong way or use the wrong amount of pressure. You cannot use your hard-earned money to seek relief for pain and other conditions, only to leave with further injuries and complications. Besides, you should never take chances with your body. To avoid falling in the hands of a quack, ensure you check a therapist’s customer reviews and ratings. Even as you do this, check for their license and certification from the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).