Although massage has many health benefits, massage therapy may be potentially hazardous for people with certain health conditions. For the average, healthy individual, massage can help increase blood flow to the muscles, increase healing, and speed healing time. Massage is good for relaxing the entire body, which lowers blood pressure, lowers heart rate, and decreases stress. There are more than 80 types of massage therapy dating back thousands of years.

In addition to the above conditions, if you have one or more of the following health issues, consult your health care provider before getting a massage:

• Damaged blood vessels
• Burns or open wounds on the area to be massaged
• A bleeding disorder or taking blood-thinning drugs
• Recent heart attack or heart problems
• Rheumatoid arthritis in the area to be massaged
• Deep vein thrombosis (a blood clot in a deep vein, usually in the legs)
• Weakened bones from osteoporosis or a recent fracture
• Fever
• Pregnancy
• Fragile skin, as from diabetes or a healing scar
• Damage to bones or muscles that could be manipulated out of place, like a slipped disc
• Rashes, such as eczema, poison ivy, or other skin allergy