Massage spreads infection?

[thebomb]

Hi,

Is it true that a massage can spread an infection?
I have a sinus infection and ear infection. I have been on antibiotics for a few days and feel better.....no fever.
I am supposed to get a massage tomorrow.....should I still go or should I reschedule the massage?

Thanks for your help,
Mary

 

[Rydia]

Massage spreads infection?

I would personally recommend that you reschedule your appt for when you are 100% better. Massage moves lymphatic fluid around in your body and that can increase the feeling of congestion or sickness. You will also be helping your therapist by not exposing them to a possible infection. =)

 

[Dream M]

Massage spreads infection?

If it were an untreated infection, I would agree. But since we are talking about several days into antibiotics, I wouldn't worry too much about it, personally.

Though your best bet may be to give your therapist a call and ask them. As you can see by these answers, there are some differing opinions.

 

[Akhmet]

Massage spreads infection?

Thank you both

 

[Bard S]

Massage spreads infection?

If you were my client, I'd be fine with massaging you. Ear and sinus infections aren't really something that is transmitted, and you're already 48 hours on antibiotics. Generally what I do when someone is having sinus issues is spend some extra time on a sinus massage using a drop or two of eucaplytus and peppermint oils in the cream to help with drainage and opening up the sinuses. One of the MTs I work with will do this for me when I start getting congested, I swear that doing that combined with my neti pot had helped me avoid many sinus infections!

 

[Marlee]

Massage spreads infection?

If you were my client, I'd be fine with massaging you. Ear and sinus infections aren't really something that is transmitted, and you're already 48 hours on antibiotics. Generally what I do when someone is having sinus issues is spend some extra time on a sinus massage using a drop or two of eucaplytus and peppermint oils in the cream to help with drainage and opening up the sinuses. One of the MTs I work with will do this for me when I start getting congested, I swear that doing that combined with my neti pot had helped me avoid many sinus infections!

Same here...

 

[Just a Guy]

Massage spreads infection?

I prefer for my clients to re-schedule when they are ill. I don't like to be exposed to something that is not necessary.

Because my sole income is a practice of bodywork, if I get sick, I can't work. I don't get paid for "sick days" like an employee might. Also, I don't want to potentially be the one to spread an illness to my other clients. And, if I do happen to get ill... well, I personally don't make a good patient. So better to re-schedule for all involoved, is my motto in my office.

 

[veggiegirl777]

Massage spreads infection?

I am just now recovering from a bad cold that then progressed into a sinus infection-- and one of my clients brought it to me!!

So, especially at this moment, I am agreeing with Pueppi!! Working on her for the fee of one session is puny in comparison to missing 2 days of work and having to pay for antibiotics.... :irked:

But i am not so sure I felt like I was spreading her infection by working on her,, of course it wasn't in the first few days of her being sick... I always felt it was a local contraindication when we are talking about a specific infection site Re: boil, acne on the back- that sort of thing...

 

[Irvine]

Massage spreads infection?

If you where my client I would work on you. As long as you are being treated I personally have no problem. I have you that people heal a little fast. You may feel worse the next day, that's normal, but after that the infection will move faster out of your body

 

[ginger91]

Massage spreads infection?

Hey everyone,

I'm a university student that's interested in defining the myths and methods of massage therapy. I found it really interesting that there is a difference in how the massage therapists have responded to this patients question.

Is there a discrepancy on each specific therapist treating the patient differently because it can be based on their own personal judgement?
(Side note: very interesting, I learned something new- did not know lymphatic fluids could be moved!)

Thank you very much.

 

[Michelle =)]

Massage spreads infection?

Hey everyone,

I'm a university student that's interested in defining the myths and methods of massage therapy. I found it really interesting that there is a difference in how the massage therapists have responded to this patients question.

Is there a discrepancy on each specific therapist treating the patient differently because it can be based on their own personal judgement?
(Side note: very interesting, I learned something new- did not know lymphatic fluids could be moved!)

Thank you very much.

Not only do lymphatic fluids move, it is essential that they do so. There is a whole massage methodology based solely on the movement of this fluid.

Based on what I have learned, I do not agree that it is a bad idea to move the fluid during illness or any time other than specific times a person is getting chemo or radiation therapy. (there may be other contraindications) As a matter of fact, lymphatic massage is indicated for people suffering from the common flu, post surgery and the like because it is so gentle and the lymphatic fluid is an essential component to our immune system.

Often when we are ill, the lymph nodes get swollen because these are the filters for the fluid and they literally get full of the collected germs, waste products and the cells that are attacking these invaders. Keeping that fluid moving assist the body in ridding itself of these collected terminated cells and their accumulated wastes.

 

[Mike J Kobe for MVP!!]

Massage spreads infection?

I believe that some of the dissent in this discussion has to do with how various MTs were trained - what myths/knowledge did they learn from their instructors? What have they learned since then?

Some of the dissent may also have to do with the various methods of treatment different MTs use. Some methods may be more appropriate than others, and some conditions may require a higher level of skill to treat. An inexperienced MT may decline to treat someone, while an experienced one may feel comfortable dealing with it. Conversely, some beginner MTs overconfidently/ignorantly attempt to treat conditions that they should not, while other MTs refer those clients for appropriate medical treatment.

 

[Country Girl]

Massage spreads infection?

and then you have the therapist with their own personal immune system and how easily they become sick (or not) when around others who are sick. they will make a decision based on that.

 

[carly123houleis]

Massage spreads infection?

Eventhough an experienced therapist may not hurt someone with an infectious illness such as a cold or flu, at our salon we follow the policy that such patients need to obstain from receiving massages or other services. Coneforum.xxxious are called that for that reason and we dont want to take a chance picking up the bug, and have to stay home feeling sick and to avoid spreading it to other clients and staff. Personally I am surprised how many clients walk in knowing they have a cold or body rash and expect to receive services. I dont think people realize that its just a bad idea.