INDICATED or CONTRAINDICATED?

These are for future reference to any problems you might have in deciding if you should give a
client a massage.
If you have any doubts, please ask for medical clearance from their doctor, it is better to be
safe than sorry.

A B
Abortion - LC / no deep abdominal work, wait until free of infections
Achalasia - I but might have problems laying down / esophageal sphincter holds the food too long
Achilles Tendonitis - I for SA and LC for A / inflammation in the gastrocnemius or soleus insertions
Acne - LC/ bacterial infection, pimples
Acromegaly - as long as bones and circulatory system is o.k. / Endocrine disorder, too much
pituitary, growth hormone, in skull, hand and feet
Aaison’s Disease - I for light massage / autoimmune disease, failure of adrenal functions
Alcoholism - C if intoxicated / can cause a need for alcohol if in early stages of recovery
Allergies - I, but find what they are allergic to / hypersensitivity to harmless agents
Alzheimer’s - I, use light pressure / degenerative brain disorder
Amputations - LC until healed / limb removed
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - I, light pressure / degeneration of motor neurons, muscle atrophy
Anemia - I/ symptom of shortage of red blood cells
Anesthesia - LC / no sensation of an area on the body, nerve damage
Aneurysm - SC for abdominal / dilation in the artery
Angina Pectoris - I / chest pain, no lasting tissue damage
Anhydrosis - I / unnaturally dry skin, may have nerve damage
Ankylosing Spondylitis - I for SA, LC for A / progressive arthritis of the spine
Antalgic Gate - I / pain standing still
Anterverted Hip - I / increased internal rotation of the hip
Apnea - I / temporary absence of respiration
Anorexia - I, can help them get over body issues / lack of eating
Appendicitis - C for A / inflammation of the appendix or obstruction
Asthma - I, C if they are having an attack / construction of bronchial, problems breathing
Asymmetrical Dentition - I / can cause clicking in the temporomandibular joint
Atherosclerosis - C for advanced stages / arteries become hard
Baker’s Cysts - LC / Fluid of the synovial membrane on the back of the knee
Bell’s Palsy - I / Paralyzed on one side of the face, caused by inflammation of injured nerve VII
Blister - LC / fluid builds up below the skin
Boils - LC / infection, bigger than pimples
Bone Spurs - I and LC if painful / excess calcium on heel, also can be on the base of the skull and other areas
Boutonniere Deformity - I / proximal interphalangeal joint is flexed and distal interphalangeal joint is extended
Bronchitis - C for A / inflammation of trachea, bronchi and bronchioles
Bulimia – I, can help get them over body issues / eating a lot and then vomiting or using laxatives
Bunion - LC for vigorous / protrusion at the metatarsal-phalangeal joint of the great toe, bursa becomes inflamed
Burns - LC, I for mild sunburn, I around SA / cells die due to fire, sun and other things
Bursitis - LC for A, I for SA / inflammation of fluid filled sack that protects tendons and ligaments
from rubbing on the bone, usually on the shoulder



C
Calluses - I / thick mass of skin
Cancer - GET MEDICAL APPROVAL/ growth of malignant cells into tumors
Candidiasis - LC for A/ fungal infection of a number of systems, Acute is a medical emergency
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - C/ too much carbon monoxide inhaled
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - I, but not on the median nerve/ median nerve is pinched, pain in wrist, over use
Cerebral Palsy - I if there is sensation/ central nervous system damage/
Chondromalacia & Patellofemoral Syndrome - I as long as it is not inflamed, softening of the
patellofemoral cartilage, over use
Chorea - I/ involuntary twitching, uncontrolled gross motor movements
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - I, but not during fever/ symptoms of problems with immune system, tired, pain in muscle and joints               
Cirrhosis - C in advanced stages / normal liver cells are replaced with scar tissue
Claw Toes - I / curled toes
Clubbed Nails - LC / domed or broader nails, may indicate respiratory or heart problems
Colitis - LC for abdominal/ inflammation of the mucosa of the large intestine
Common Cold - C for A and I for SA / viral infection, over 200 different types
Contractures - I when sensation is present / permanently shortened muscles
COPD (Emphysema) - I / alveoli of the lungs becomes fibrous and inelastic
Corns - I / hard gray and yellow skin, usually happens when excessive friction on the skin
Constipation - I / difficult in passing stool
Crepitus - LC for intense ROM / popping joints
Cretinism - I for gentle massage/ deficiency of thyroid hormones
Crohn’s Disease - LC / inflammation of the large or small intestine, progressive
Crushing’s Disease - I for light massage / over production of adrenocortical steroids, bruises easy
Cystic Fibrosis - I use a lot of tapotement / bronchi secrete thick mucus
Cystitis - LC for abdominal work / inflammation of the bladder or ureters, painful urinating
Cysts - LC / layer of connective tissue that shouldn’t be there



D E
Decubitus Ulcers - I for no open areas, LC for open and I around area / Impaired circulation of the skin
Dermatitis (Eczema) - LC for inflamed or open areas, I for dry areas / inflammation of the skin
Diabetes Mellitus - I as long as they have sensation / blood sugar problems
Diarrhea - LC, C for infection / frequent passing of loose stools
Dislocations - LC for A and I for SA / bone is separated from its original place
Diverticulosis (Diverticulitis) - deep pressure is LC and C if there is an active infection / inflammation of little pouches in the colon
Dorsiflexor Weakness - I / foot slaps down when walking, weakness in the dorsiflexor muscles
Dupuytren’s Contracture - I as long as sensation is present / thickening of fascia on the palm of the hand, flexion deformity
Dysmenorrhea - LC / menstrual pain, during or after menstruation
Edema - C for more severe and I for SA soft tissue injuries / retention of fluid, mostly in the geriatric people
Embolism (Thrombus) - C / clots of blood that travels in the circulatory system, mostly Geriatric population, Can cause a stroke
Encephalitis - C for A and I for SA / viral infection, Inflammation of the brain
Endometriosis - LC / cells swell and discharge during menstrual cycle
Epilepsy - I, but C during a seizure / Neurological damage, uncontrolled movements in the body
Erb’s Palsy - I / arm may be internally rotated and adducted
Erysipelas - C until infection has passed/ infection that kills skin cells, face or lower legs.



F G
Fatigue - I / inadequate rest
Fever - C / increased temperature, virus or bacterial infection
Fibroid Tumors - deep abdominal massage LC / benign growth in the uterus
Fibromyalgia - I / may be more sensitive to pain, chronic muscle pain, 7 out of ten trigger points, diagnosed. When everything else is ruled out
Flaccid - I but use lighter pressure / lacking muscle tone
Foreign Objects - LC / lead, bullet
Fractures - LC for A and I for people in later stages of recovery, broken bone
Frozen Shoulder - I for SA and LC for A / subscapularis muscle is injured and the shoulder has little movement.
Fungal Infection - LC / fungal infection of the skin,
Furuncle - LC / boil, death of hair follicle
Gallstones - LC for abdominal no draining strokes over liver area / crystallized formations in the gall bladder
Ganglion Cysts - LC / fluid filled sacks attached to tendons
Gastroenteritis - LC for A and C for intestinal infections / inflammation of the intestines
Genu Recuratum - I / back knee, hyper-extended ligaments in the knee, could be weakness in the quadriceps
Genu Valgum - I / knocked knees, deformities of the knee joint
Genu Varum - I / bowed legged, deformities of the knee joint
Glaucoma - LC / elevated pressure in the eye
Gluteus Maximus Lurch - I / arms are back when walking, weakness in gluteus maximus
Gluteus Medius - I / arm is hanging down on one side when walking, weakness in gluteus medius
Glomerulonephritis - C / glomeruli becomes inflamed
Gioter - LC / enlarged thyroid gland, lack of iodine
Golfer Elbow - I for SA and LC for A / inflammation in the medial epicondyle of the humerus
Gout - C for A and I for SA / arthritis caused by deposits of uric acid, around joints
Grave’s Disease - I for gentle massage / hyperthyroidism
Groin Pull - I for SA and LC for A / strain, sprain or tear in one or all of the groin muscles
Guillian Barre Syndrome - I only if they have sensation / disease of nervous system



H
Hallux Rigidus - I / hard to extend the great toe
Hallux Valgus - I / abnormal prominence of the joint of the great toe
Hammertoes - I / overlapping and curling of the toes
Headaches - SC for infections, I for tension and muscular headaches
Health Forms - C / do not work on a client that does not fill out a health form!
Heart Attack - C for recovering, I for recovered clients / damage to myocardium caused by blood clot in the coronary artery
Heart Burn - I but might have problems lying down, have the client not eat before the massage/ acid comes up the esophagus
Hematoma - LC / deep bruise, blood clot could be under it
Hemiplegia - I but light on affected side / unilateral paralysis, usually from a stroke
Hemophilia - C for severe / blood cannot clot, bleeds easy
Hemorrhage - C / internal bleeding
Hemorrhoid - LC for abdominal work / rectal area lacks valves
Hepatitis - C for A and I for chronic, LC for abdominal / viral, inflammation of the liver, different types
Hernia - LC and C for infections / hole in the wall of small intestines
Herniated Disc - LC for A and I in SA / disc protrudes and puts pressure on the nerves
Herpes Simplex - LC for A and C for other signs of infection / viral infection, cold sores, blisters
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) (Chicken Pox) - C for A and I after healed/ viral
HIV (AIDS) - I as long as no open sores / immune system problems
Hives - C for A and LC for SA / inflammatory skin reaction
Hodgkin’s disease - medical clearance / cancer in the lymph system
Hyperesthesia - depends on the problem / sensitivity on the skin
Hyperextension of the neck - LC for A and I for SA / can cause dislocation of the temporomandibular joint
Hypertension - C and I for borderline to mild problems / high blood pressure, 120 over 80 is normal
Hyperthyroidism - LC / too much thyroid hormone
Hypertrophy - I but may be sore / increase in size of muscle, exercise and weight lifting
Hypesthesia - I but light / too much sensation on a part of the body, nerve damage
Hyposthesia - I but light / decreased sensation on a part of the body, nerve damage
Hypoglycemia - I but tell them to get up slow after the massage/ excessive loss of blood glucose
Hypothyroidism - LC / too low thyroid hormone
Hypoxia - C / decreased oxygen in blood

*www.Massagenerd.com is not held responsible for any of the above material.
*Use common sense and check before you massage the above problems.

| A-B | C | D-E | F-G | H | I-K | L-M | N-P | Q-S | T-W |