Contraindications: when not to have a massage or lymphatic drainage?
A safety-first overview of situations in which a connective tissue massage or lymphatic drainage is better not carried out, or only after consultation with your doctor. This is general information and does not replace medical advice; when in doubt, always consult your GP first.
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Safety first
When do we not treat, or adapt the treatment?
A contraindication is a situation in which a treatment is better not carried out, or only in an adapted form and after consultation. BodyFix has specialised in connective-tissue and fascia techniques since 2008 and takes a diagnosis-first approach — through a Bodyreading during the free consultation — to see whether a treatment is suitable for you at that moment. In the situations below we do not treat, or only in an adapted form and after consultation with your doctor. The answers below are general in nature and do not replace medical advice.
When is it better not to have a massage?
A massage may be unwise with, among other things, a fever, an acute inflammation or infection, (a history of) thrombosis, certain cardiovascular conditions, open wounds or skin conditions on the area to be treated, and some medical conditions. In those situations we do not treat, or only in an adapted form and after consultation. We always assess this personally during the free consultation. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
What is the difference between an absolute and a relative contraindication?
With an absolute contraindication no treatment is given. With a relative contraindication a treatment may sometimes be possible, but then in an adapted form and after consultation, or only once your doctor has given the go-ahead. The assessment is always individual and takes place during the consultation; when in doubt we ask for consultation first. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Can you be massaged with varicose veins?
We do not work directly with pressure on the varicose veins themselves. Depending on your situation, treatment around them or elsewhere on the body may still be possible. With extensive varicose veins or related complaints we do not treat without consulting first. So always mention varicose veins during the consultation, so that we can adapt the treatment or ask for consultation first. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Circulation & serious conditions
Circulation & serious conditions
Thrombosis, cardiovascular disease & oncology
With conditions that affect the circulation or that call for specialised medical care, we are extra careful. In these situations we do not treat, or only after explicit consultation with your treating doctor. The answers below are general in nature and do not replace medical advice.
Can you have a massage or lymphatic drainage with (a history of) thrombosis?
With (suspected) deep vein thrombosis we do not massage. Even if you have had thrombosis in the past, we do not treat the body part concerned without your doctor having first given the go-ahead. Safety comes first here; always mention this during the consultation. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Can you have a massage if you have cancer or are receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy?
With cancer, or during or after oncological treatment, consultation with your treating doctor or specialist is necessary before any massage or lymphatic drainage. Specialised oncological care and oncological oedema therapy belong with practitioners trained and qualified for that purpose; BodyFix does not provide oncological care. In this situation we explicitly refer you to your doctor or specialist. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Can you have a massage with cardiovascular disease?
With cardiovascular disease (for example heart failure or a previous heart attack) or a compromised circulation, consultation with your GP or cardiologist is needed before a treatment, because massage and lymphatic drainage affect the circulation. In these situations we only treat in an adapted form and after consultation. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Inflammation, skin & medication
Inflammation, skin & medication
Fever, wounds, skin conditions & blood thinners
With an active inflammation, a fever, open wounds or skin conditions, and with the use of blood thinners, we tailor the treatment to what is safe — or we postpone the treatment. The answers below are general in nature and do not replace medical advice.
Can you have a massage with a fever or an acute inflammation or infection?
With a fever, an acute inflammation or a (skin) infection we do not massage, because a treatment can make the complaints worse. We advise waiting until you have recovered sufficiently and we agree on the timing during the consultation. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Can you be massaged if you take blood thinners?
Blood thinners can increase the risk of bruising and haematomas. So always mention the use of blood thinners during the consultation. Depending on your situation we adapt the treatment or ask for consultation with your doctor first. You can read more about this on the page about pain and side effects. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
Can you massage over wounds, eczema, psoriasis or a skin condition?
We do not work on the spot over open wounds, inflamed skin or certain active skin conditions, in order to prevent aggravation or infection. Depending on your situation, treatment elsewhere on the body may still be possible. Always mention skin complaints during the consultation, so that we can adapt the treatment. When in doubt, always consult your GP, treating specialist or dermatologist; this does not replace medical advice.
Specific situations
Specific situations
Lymphatic drainage, pregnancy & recovery
For lymphatic drainage, for pregnancy and for recovery after illness or surgery, there are particular points of attention. The answers below are general in nature and do not replace medical advice.
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Are there contraindications that apply specifically to lymphatic drainage?
For lymphatic drainage there are additional points of attention, among others with an acute infection or fever, erysipelas, untreated heart problems and kidney conditions. In these situations we do not treat, or only after consultation with your doctor or specialist. You can read more about this treatment on the lymphatic drainage in Amsterdam page. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
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Are there contraindications during pregnancy?
Yes. BodyFix only begins pregnancy massage from 14 weeks; in the first trimester treatment is not advised. In addition, certain pregnancy complications are a contraindication. You will find the full explanation on the pregnancy and postpartum topic page. When in doubt, always consult your midwife or gynaecologist first. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
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When can I safely be massaged again after illness, fever or surgery?
After a fever or illness you wait until you have recovered sufficiently. After surgery or with a fresh scar we do not treat without your treating doctor having first given the go-ahead, and we wait until the wound is closed and healed. We always agree on the timing during the consultation; for the timing around scars you can read more on the pregnancy and postpartum page. When in doubt, always consult your GP or treating specialist; this does not replace medical advice.
We assess every situation diagnosis-first during the free consultation, through a Bodyreading. Not sure whether a treatment is suitable for you? Always mention your medical situation, your medication and any pregnancy during the consultation, so that we can tailor the treatment safely or refer you to your doctor in good time.
Read on
Read on
More about safety & treatment
Explore the topics that relate to contraindications and safety in more depth:
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Massage during pregnancy & after birth
From which week, when after birth or a caesarean section, and which contraindications apply around pregnancy.
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How BodyFix can work in a supportive way alongside medical care, and when to consult your specialist first.
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Lymphatic drainage in Amsterdam
How the device-assisted lymphatic drainage within the BodyFix Method works.
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Connective tissue massage in Amsterdam
What the deep manual connective tissue massage involves and which concerns it is used for.
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The diagnosis-first approach that combines deep connective tissue massage with device-assisted lymphatic drainage.
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All frequently asked questions
Back to the overview with all questions about connective tissue massage, fascia and the BodyFix Method.
Not sure whether a treatment is suitable for you? Discuss it during your free consultation
Every new client starts with a free 20-minute consultation, with no obligation. We discuss your complaint, your medical situation and whether a treatment is safe and suitable at this moment — diagnosis-first, through a Bodyreading. When in doubt, we refer you to your GP or specialist. This is general information and does not replace medical advice.
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