DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE TECHNIQUES SHOULD NOT BE DONE ON THE FOLLOWING:

• Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant.

• Persons with any type of implants within 9 months of insertion, or implants causing discomfort; i.e. hip, pacemaker, breast implants, rods, discs, screws, plates, IUD's, knee replacement, artificial eye lenses, ear tubes, stents, etc.

• Boils, skin lesions, rashes or abscesses.

• Staph Infection, MRSA and Sepsis.

• Heavily pronounced varicose veins.

• Advanced stages of arteriosclerosis.

• Recent eye procedures; i.e. Lasik surgery within 72 hours.

• Tuberculosis, thrombosis, aneurysm, kidney disorders, recent bowel or hernia surgery.

• Any acute inflammatory conditions!

• People on medication for bruising or blood clotting; i.e. blood thinners such as Warfarin or Coumadin.

• Uncontrolled and untreated high/low blood pressure or heart conditions.

• Advanced stages of osteoporosis or other bone degenerative conditions.

• Rib fractures or weakness.

• Cancer in metastatic or terminal stages.

• Recent scarring.

• Any recent (severe) injuries, surgeries and fractures.

• Fevers or flu symptoms.

USE CAUTION WHEN WORKING WITH THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS:

• Kidney disorders: If you are having difficulty excreting toxins via natural means, such as urination, treatment should be withheld or require physician's consent. During deep tissue therapies, I as practitioners have the ability of manually moving cellular metabolic waste. If the body’s ability to process and filter is impaired, this can cause additional stress on organs and tissue or result in pain and cramping. My usual post-treatment recommendations of hydrating with fluids or balancing with electrolytes (sodium/potassium), are contraindicated; especially for those on dialysis. I will check to see how often you receive massage, when is the best time (i.e. before or after dialysis), and if I decide to treat you, will from lightly strategy, with no deep compressions on the hamstrings or calves.

• Herniated discs. Acute herniations will result in recipient being in quite a lot of pain from prolonged standing, sitting, or even lying prone and supine (Positive muscle test: Straight leg raise). If treatment is appropriate, bolster proactively!

• Recent bruises.

• Autoimmune diseases (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma).

• Recent injections of substances in joints, i.e. cortisone shots, stem cell injections, etc. 

• Any recent surgeries (especially of joints).

• Heavy menstrual cramping or abnormal cycles.

• Low platelet count (pressure can cause bruising or hematoma). 

• Early stages of osteoporosis or other degenerative bone conditions.

• Degenerative disc disease.

• Sciatica.

• Scoliosis. 

• Vertebral fusions.

BAREFOOT BODYWORK HAS THE ABILITY TO AFFECT BLOOD PRESSURE MORE THAN ANY OTHER MODALITY:

Barefoot bodywork techniques have the ability to move a significant amount of blood and fluid during a massage treatment (perhaps more than any other massage technique!). "The increase in blood flow is normally a good thing for the average, healthy person", but clients with blood pressure issues and clients taking medication for blood pressure issues need to be monitored more closely. 

It is still ok to proceed with barefoot massage treatments for clients with mild to moderate high/low blood pressure, but with caution and communication. When I in doubt, I will omit treatment and ask for your doctor's note! Deep barefoot massage techniques should be omitted for clients with "uncontrolled" blood pressure issues.