Contraindications to Massage Practice/Medical Conditions

When you complete the medical screening process with your client you should ensure that you clarify all points on the medical screening form that you do not understand. If your client presents with a medical condition that you are unfamiliar with, you need to ensure you understand the indications & risks associated with the condition before proceeding.

Your pathology textbook (Premkumar, 2000) is a reference for most of the medical conditions that you will commonly come across in practice.

Try It!

 * Think of some of the medical conditions that people you have massaged have had. Look these up in Premkumar (there is a copy in the library if you haven't yet purchased your own).


 * Ensure that you understand the implications of these conditions on the massages that you have provided. Would anything have changed if you had known this before the massage?


 * Any time your client states a medical condition on your medical screening form that you are unfamiliar with, you must investigate the implications of this condition to your practice.

Other Resources
Quick-reference guide to pathology for massage therapists, taken from Werner & Benjamin (1998).

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