Should I get a massage when I am sick?

When we are experiencing something such as a cold or flu it may seem like a good idea to get a massage, particularly if you are experiencing body aches and pains. However, most massage therapists will tell you to avoid having a treatment while you are unwell. The first big reason is that you maybe be contagious and your therapist would not appreciate being exposed to potentially getting sick. But then there is the big possibility that you may feel even worse after the massage.

There is a common myth that massage can cause a detoxification process in the body by releasing toxins however there is no actual evidence of this. What is known to be true though is that after an intense massage even when you are not ill you can experience Post-Massage Soreness & Malaise (PMSM). This is often caused by muscle damage and spilling proteins into the blood which then affect the kidneys. So then if you have an intense massage when your body is already feeling fragile and in a state of fighting illness an intense massage can hit you a lot harder. 

What should you do instead?

Obviously, it depends on what you are unwell with. If we are talking cold and flu then simple rest and allow your body the nurturing quality of repose to restore vitality to your body. But if you must get a massage please inform your therapist prior so they can discern if they proceed and then make sure it’s a gentle massage as an intense one will be sure to knock you around even more. But most importantly keep your fluids up before and after any treatment.