6 ways your body massage can go wrong

<p>In India, massaging is often considered to be something that can be done by anyone. From a domestic help to local salons, we are all too happy to get a massage anywhere. But have we ever thought of the repercussions of a massage gone wrong? Massage therapy is believed to be safe and detoxifying in nature, which it is, but there are ways that it can turn sour for your body. Understanding a body type is very important before any kind of therapeutic treatment is administered. From exerting too much pressure to massaging with numb hands, from pressing the wrong nerves or inciting certain pains, a wrong masseuse can land you in hot water for life.</p><p>This was proven by the recent case of the death of a 23-year old Delhiite who got a wrongful massage for a case of deep vein thrombosis (presence of a blood clot in the deep veins following an ankle fracture) which his mother thought could be self-treated. The clot disrupted the blood supply to his heart and he died instantly.<br></p><p>Before you begin a massage treatment, it is essential that you understand that there many ways that a massage can go wrong. Though in India, the land of Ayurveda, massaging may be thought as a deep-rooted tradition, there are many risks to a half-baked knowledge of a body science. In our conversation with Dr Shashibala, Head of Department, Ayurveda, Moolchand Medcity, she talks about what all can go wrong with an improper massaging technique.</p>

The first thing to decide before going for a massage is to understand if your body is healthy or if it needs specialized care, says Dr Shashibala. If you have chronic pains, are suffering from osteoporosis or arthritis, you must not take massages lightly. Consult a specialist who understands the kind of pressure and technique of massage your body requires.

In India, it is pretty common for people to go to a ‘Pehelwaan’ for therapies. It is imperative for anyone to understand that a general massage (known as abhyanga in Ayurveda) can be had without much thought but when it comes to a high pressure massage, you must not go to anyone who is not a professional or is inexperienced. An unprofessional vigorous massage, says Dr Shashibala, can cause pain, swelling, intracapillary ruptures, body aches, muscular tears, and even palpitations. These usually appear in 3 to 4 hours after the massage.
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What runs as a thumb rule for any kind of massage is the direction in which it should be done – from head towards heart, says Dr Shashibala. For understanding the right amount of pressure, Dr Shashibala says that you need to differentiate between a vibration and pressure that goes beyond a vibration. An ideal amount of pressure causes a vibration and nothing more.
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You must be empty stomach before getting a massage or maintain a gap of at least 90 minutes between your last meal and a massage. Dr Shashibala says that post massage, you must eat light-cooked food. Avoid raw food.
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You must be well hydrated before a massage. Dr Shashibala advises to maintain a gap of half an hour between drinking water and getting a massage.
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