Question

Is it healthy for a diabetic to get a Swedish massage? Are there any contraindications for having a Swedish massage? And what are the risks?

Answer

As we do not know you, your diabetic condition or possible complications, you must discuss the suitability of Swedish massage with your family doctor. However, we can provide you with some general information.

Well-controlled diabetes is not one of the conditions where massage is contraindicated, although some of its complications may be. Even though massage is a useful technique to help regulate blood sugar over time, if you have diabetes you should check your blood sugar after a massage session because it may be too low just following a treatment. Plus, if you have diabetes and you are receiving massage on a regular basis, you should check your blood sugar frequently to evaluate for any changes over time.

Massage should be avoided by people with congestive heart failure, kidney failure, infection of the superficial veins (called phlebitis) or soft tissue (called cellulitis) in the legs or elsewhere, blood clots in the legs, bleeding disorders, and contagious skin conditions.

If you have cancer, you must check with your doctor before considering massage because you should not receive such treatments under certain circumstances. For example, sometimes massage can damage tissue that is fragile from chemotherapy or radiation treatments. People with rheumatoid arthritis, goiter (a thyroid disorder characterized by an enlarged thyroid), eczema and other skin lesions should not receive massage therapy during flare-ups. Experts also advise that people with osteoporosis, high fever, low platelets or white blood cells, and mental impairment, as well as those recovering from surgery, may be better off avoiding massage. Also, be sure to let your massage therapist know of any medications you are taking as the treatment may influence the absorption or activity of both oral and topical medications.

Links

• Integrative Medicine: Massage