List of Massage Indications and Contraindications (both local and absolute)
It is highly recommended to obtain a pathology book written specifically for massage
therapists that lists each one of these conditions, such as our companion text: Mosby’s
Pathology for Massage Therapists by Salvo and Anderson.
Indications –
Abortion
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Acromegaly
Addison's Disease
Adhesive Capsulitis
Allergies
Alzheimer’s Disease
Amenorrhea
Amputation
Anemia
Angina Pectoris
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Anorexia Nervosa
Anterior Compartment Syndrome
Apnea
Arteriosclerosis
Asthma
Atherosclerosis
Atrophy
Bell’s Palsy
Bipolar Disorder
Bronchitis
Bulimia
Bunion
Burns
Bursitis
Cancer
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cerebral Palsy
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Colitis
Contracture
Coronary Artery Disease
Crohn's Disease
Cushing's Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystitis
Dementia
Depression
Diabetes Insipidus
Copyright © 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Contraindications List 2
Diabetes Mellitus
Diverticulitis
Diverticulosis
Dysmenorrhea
Eczema
Emphysema
Endometriosis
Erb’s Palsy
Fibrocystic Breast Disease
Fibromyalgia
Flaccid
Gastritis
Gastroenteritis
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Genital Herpes
Glomerulonephritis
Goiter
Graves' Disease
Guillain Barré Syndrome
Hay Fever
Headaches
Hemophilia
Hepatitis
Herniated Disc
Hives
Hypertension
Hypoglycemia
Insomnia
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Kyphosis
Lordosis
Lou Gehrig’s Disease
Lupus
Lyme Disease
Menstruation
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Spasm
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Myocardial Infarction
Nerve Compression
Nerve Entrapment
Neuropathy
Obesity
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Osgood-Schlatter Disease
Copyright © 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Contraindications List 3
Osteoarthritis
Osteoporosis
Ovarian Cysts
Pancreatitis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Plantar Fasciitis
Polycystic Kidney Disease
Pregnancy (2nd and 3rd trimester)
Premenstrual Syndrome
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Quadriplegia
Radiculopathy
Raynaud's Syndrome
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
Repetitive Motion Injury
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rosacea
Scar
Sciatica
Scleroderma
Scoliosis
Seizure Disorders
Shin Splints
Sickle Cell Disease
Sinusitis
Spasticity
Spina Bifida
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylosis
Sprain
Strain
Stroke
Substance Abuse
Telangiectasia
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Tendinitis
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Torticollis
Transient Ischemic Attack
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Ulcers
Urinary Tract Infection
Varicose Veins
Whiplash
Copyright © 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Contraindications List 4
Local Contraindications –
Acne Vulgaris
Athlete’s Foot
Baker’s Cyst
Cellulitis (if localized)
Chondromalacia Patellae
Contact Dermatitis (if localized)
de Quervain’s Tendonitis
Decubitus Ulcer
Folliculitis
Ganglion Cyst
Gout
Gouty Arthritis
Hernia
Open or Unhealed Wounds
Phlebitis
Sebaceous Cyst
Thrombophlebitis
Wart
Absolute Contraindications –
Appendicitis
Cellulitis (if widespread)
Chicken Pox
Chlamydia
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Concussion
Conjunctivitis
Contact Dermatitis (if widespread)
Encephalitis
Endocarditis
Fever
German Measles
Gonorrhea
Herpes Simplex
Impetigo
Influenza
Jaundice
Lice
Measles
Meningitis
Migraine Headache (during headache)
Mononucleosis
Copyright © 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Contraindications List 5
Mumps
Myocarditis
Pericarditis
Pneumonia
Preeclampsia
Pregnancy (1st trimester)
Rabies
Respiratory Distress Syndrome
Ringworm
Scabies
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Shingles
Syphilis
Tetanus
Tonsillitis
Trichomoniasis
Tuberculosis
Copyright © 2007, 2003, 1999 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
