illness

It is that time of year again, the onset of cold and flu season. While you may feel like all those aches and pains will benefit from a massage, is it a good idea to still get one?

Massage can release stored toxins in your system and aid in them being eliminated a lot quicker than usual. While this is a positive affect, during sickness the body is already overloaded by having to deal with the virus that is attacking it. If the body then has to deal with removing newly released toxins, you could not only feel much worse a few hours later or the next day, but your recovery time may be extended. If you cannot afford the time or money to be sick, then the best thing is to stay at home and rest.

“When you have a cold or flu, a massage might seem comforting,” says Patricia Coe, DC, ND, clinic supervisor for National University of Health Science’s massage therapy program. “However, when you have an infection, your body is already working hard to fight it and recover.  A massage can be very stimulating internally and place certain demands on your body during a time when you should be simply resting.”

Another thing you may want to consider is the health of your therapist. They most likely won’t want to catch your illness, and potentially pass it on to other clients, or take it home to their family. Not good karma for anyone!

Also, imagine how clogged up you will become laying face down for a period of time with your face in a hole!

Massage can work wonders for your mind and body after a period of illness. It can help to clear out the sinuses and lungs from excess mucous. Massage will help to relieve sore ribs and back muscles worn out from excessive coughing. And it can help to clear sinuses and alleviate headaches. But there is a time and a place for massage when you’re sick, and having one too soon can just make you worse.

So if you follow a few simple guidelines, you will be staying as healthy as you can, and also protecting the spread of your illness to others you come in contact with:

• Stay home if you have a fever of any kind, and no massage until you no longer have a fever.
  
• Stay home if you know you are contagious.
  
• Stay home if it is within the first week of illness.

After this time, you should be fine to receive massage, and it can even help to improve your symptoms.

Here at Restore, we will send you home if you present with any of the above categories, with no charge, of course. We have a duty of care to you the client, ourselves, and the other clients that come into the clinic.

So next time you feel ill, please reconsider coming in for your massage, or be prepared to be sent home to rest.