When is a massage bad for you?
01
Massage Therapies whilst your ill
It could be a good idea, but there is no evidence supporting that massages during a
cold or flu are effective at relieving symptoms or improving your recovery rate, in fact, quite the opposite!
Massage boosts your immune system and relieves your tension.
The benefits of a massage are well-known, but when your body is already
fighting a cold or flu, a massage can actually make things worse.
"When I was younger, I had a massage whilst I was recovering from a cold, it made me twice as bad" Ross Mollenhauer (Massage Therapist)
Getting a massage improves circulation throughout the body.
When you have a cold, a massage could create additional inflammation by promoting the virus throughout your lymphatic system. Therefore it is recommended that you do not exercise or receive a massage.
While getting a massage can relieve stress, it is not a cure for any kind of illness. Massage therapy can be used to help treat various types of pain, however a good Massage Therapist will most likely to refuse to serve you and advise you to fully recover from an illness before proceeding with your next massage therapy session.
02
I heard that massage improves circulation?
Yes, certain types of massage can improve blood circulation. Mainly a massage can help reduce pain in the back and neck. A study has shown that a massage is more effective than physical therapy at treating chronic low back pain. When it comes to circulation, while getting a massage can improve circulation, it does not necessarily improve blood flow. Therefore there is no scientific evidence that a massage during a cold is effective due to improved circulation.
Can A Massage Make Covid worse?
Massage increases immune function (by boosting the activity of the body's natural "killer T cells" - also known as killer lymphocytes - which fight off viruses), reduces tension in the muscles and joints, and relieves stress. Massage may also provide relief for people who have painful conditions, such as tension headaches.
A massages boosts your immune system and relieves your tension, however, when your body is already fighting a virus like Covid-19, a massage can make things worse.
It's best to check with your massage therapist about what's appropriate for your needs. While it may not be everyone's experience, massage therapists say nausea and other flu-like symptoms can sometimes be common side effects of massage in the hours and days that follow.
Many times when we get a massage, there is a part of our body that seems congested or feels uncomfortable. We can notice this congestion on our sinuses, back, or neck and think it is a side effect of the massage. The massage increases your symptoms, and that is not what we want, because it is not going to help you get better. The best idea is to stay home and rest. If you are too sick to go to work, you are probably too sick to get a massage.
Some people benefit from having massage when sick, but it is not as comfortable as having it while lying in bed. It is best to wait until after the acute stage of the sickness and if you have a therapist who is sympathetic, he or she will not send you home.
Never come to a massage appointment if you have colds or flu. It’s a public place, so it’s not a good idea to expose yourself to other people’s germs.
When it comes to healing and recovery, massage can actually help speed things up. That is, if you don’t mind experiencing the full-blown symptoms of the sickness over three days by having the massage push everything through your body, as opposed to letting it happen naturally at a slower rate over a week or two.
You may have been coughing a lot for months and have yet to notice that your muscles are tight.
Massage helps to relax tight muscles, including the muscles in your face, neck, and throat. This helps loosen and break up trapped phlegm and mucous in your respiratory system, which can cause you to feel a headache or sinus pressure. It can also help relieve the pressure on your head or neck.
If you're sick, your body needs to heal and I recommend that you stay at home. You'll feel better with rest and a nice massage.
Your therapist is not likely to mind if you have a slight change in your schedule.
