The following is a list of the contraindications and precautions regarding massage therapy. RMTs are kept current on what conditions constitute contraindications or precautions as some of them change with the growing knowledge of the effects of massage therapy. If you are unsure about your condition, talk to your therapist.

General -- Massage therapy is not appropriate for the following:

• Acute conditions requiring medical attention such as anaphylaxis, appendicitis, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), diabetic coma, insulin shock, epileptic seizure, myocardial infarction (MI), pheumothorax, atelectasis, sever asthmatic attack, status asthmaticus or syncope
• Acute pneumonia
• Advanced kidney, respiratory or liver failure (a modified treatment may be possible with a physician's consent)
• Diabetes with complications such as gangrene, advanced heart or kidney disease or very unstable or high blood pressure
• Eclampsia
• Fever of 38.5°C (101.5°F) or above
• Hemophilia
• Hemorrhage
• Post CVA or post MI where the condition is not yet stable
• Severe atherosclerosis
• Severe and unstable hypertension
• Shock
• Some highly metastatic cancers not judged terminal
• Systemic contagious or infectious condition