When you feel an illness coming on, it might seem that a massage would help. In fact, the opposite is usually true — with a cold or flu it is better to postpone your massage. We'll explain why and when to come back.
In short: with a cold, flu or fever, skip the massage — it can put extra strain on the body, worsen the course of the illness and put others at risk. Come back a few days after you have fully recovered.
Why it's not a good idea to have a massage when you have a cold
- Extra strain on the body — a massage speeds up circulation, which during illness can make things worse rather than better.
- Risk of spreading the infection — you could infect your therapist and other clients.
- A fever is a clear contraindication — heat and stimulating the circulation do it no good.
When it's fine to go once you've recovered
Come back once your symptoms have completely subsided and you feel fit — usually a few days after you have recovered. After an illness, choose a gentle relaxing massage rather than intense deep-tissue work. You'll find an overview of other situations in the article massage contraindications.
When you're fit again, we'll be glad to welcome you
Once you have recovered, treat yourself to a gentle relaxing massage and rebuild your strength.
