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Common Ground News

Is getting a massage bad when sick?

Author

David Ramirez

Updated on February 17, 2026

Is getting a massage bad when sick?

“Massage does boost the immune system and relieve your tension. However, when your body is already fighting off a virus due to a cold or flu, a massage can actually make things worse,” writes Casey Holliman, LMT for Performance Bodywork.

Regarding this, is it good to get a massage after being sick?

Massage can be wonderful after the initial cold has passed. Usually the rule of thumb for waiting for the cold to pass is a week after the symptoms started. When you are sick your body can get tight from all the coughing and sneezing. Massage is an excellent way to help relieve that tension.

Likewise, does massage help Fever? Although massage therapy is great for relieving symptoms of cold and flues, there are also times when it is not ideal to receive treatment. When you are in the acute stage of your illness, when you have a fever, or when you “feel contagious”, it is best for you to stay home and rest than to receive a massage.

Additionally, should you get a massage when you have a sinus infection?

A Massage Can Help. However, sinus infection sufferers can find relief through massage. During a massage session, a qualified massage therapist can apply gentle pressure to the face that will induce lymphatic draining. This will reduce the painful pressure that has been caused by fluid buildup in the sinuses.

Can massage bring out a cold?

Massage stimulates circulation and the removal of waste, generated from muscle metabolism, through the lymphatic system. You may experience a feeling of nausea, headache or flu-like symptoms as your body struggles to process the increased amount of metabolic waste.

Can a massage cause a heart attack?

Massage can elevate blood pressure. Most (if not all) massage focuses on moving fluids towards the heart; working with the circulatory system. Even a light pressured relaxing Swedish massage can cause BP to unsafe levels.

Can massages make you throw up?

Massage pushes and moves this fluid around causing the body to require more water to flush out and process the releasing toxins. You may experience a feeling of nausea, headache or flu-like symptoms as your body struggles to process the increased amount of metabolic waste.

When should you not get a massage?

"There are times when getting a massage is not advised: When someone has an active fever, inflammation due to injury, overly high blood pressure, infectious disease, skin conditions such as impetigo, active herpes or boils, varicose veins, hernia, skin cancers or all cancers where radiation or chemotherapy are involved

What toxins are released after a massage?

Yet, the ongoing confusion and claims that massage can flush out toxins—especially lactic acid—persists. Massage does not flush lactic acid out of the muscles because there is no lactic acid left in the muscles after about an hour.

Why am I nauseous after a massage?

Massage pushes and moves this fluid around causing the body to require more water to flush out and process the releasing toxins. You may experience a feeling of nausea, headache or flu-like symptoms as your body struggles to process the increased amount of metabolic waste.

What are the risks of massage therapy?

Risks of massage
  • Bleeding disorders or take blood-thinning medication.
  • Burns or healing wounds.
  • Deep vein thrombosis.
  • Fractures.
  • Severe osteoporosis.
  • Severe thrombocytopenia.

Is it OK to get a massage while on antibiotics?

If the client has been on antibiotics for a few days and is showing signs of improvement, massage therapy should be safe.

Is it OK to get a massage when your sick?

Massage can be wonderful after the initial cold has passed. Usually the rule of thumb for waiting for the cold to pass is a week after the symptoms started. When you are sick your body can get tight from all the coughing and sneezing. Massage is an excellent way to help relieve that tension.

Does massaging your face help sinuses?

Massaging the sinuses is thought to help sinus pain and congestion by relieving pressure and helping the sinus drain out mucus. The gentle pressure and warmth from the hands may also help by increasing blood circulation to the area. However, not a lot of research has been done on sinus massage.

Is it OK to have a massage when you have fever?

You should also not get a massage if you have a fever. If you are sensitive to the touch in any way avoid massage which will stimulate the skin. A firm massage moves the body around with light force, which can increase feelings of nausea, so if you are already feeling nauseous be sure to avoid massages.

Should I give a massage if I have a cold?

Massage can be wonderful after the initial cold has passed. Usually the rule of thumb for waiting for the cold to pass is a week after the symptoms started. When you are sick your body can get tight from all the coughing and sneezing. Massage is an excellent way to help relieve that tension.

How often should you do massage therapy?

Massage for General Health and Relaxation
For general health and relaxation massages are recommended 1-2 times a month for people under light to moderate stress. This would also include people who are sedentary or exercise only occasionally.

Can you get a massage with pneumonia?

MEDICAL MASSAGE PROTOCOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH PNEUMONIA. There are two major clinical objectives a massage practitioner should consider while treating patients with pneumonia: Support of pulmonary drainage and decrease of pulmonary inflammation.

Can Massage Help sinusitis?

Massaging the sinuses is thought to help sinus pain and congestion by relieving pressure and helping the sinus drain out mucus. The gentle pressure and warmth from the hands may also help by increasing blood circulation to the area.

What is the fastest way to get rid of a sinus infection?

  1. Drink plenty of water. To help flush the virus out of your system, make sure you're adequately hydrated.
  2. Eat immune-boosting foods.
  3. Add moisture.
  4. Clear the sinuses with oils.
  5. Use a neti pot.
  6. Ease facial pain with warm compresses.
  7. Use over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
  8. Get a prescription.

What is the fastest way to cure a fever?

How to break a fever
  1. Take your temperature and assess your symptoms.
  2. Stay in bed and rest.
  3. Keep hydrated.
  4. Take over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen to reduce fever.
  5. Stay cool.
  6. Take tepid baths or using cold compresses to make you more comfortable.

Can a massage give you the flu?

Massage and the Flu. If you get a massage in the early stages of a flu infection, you may end up with a more serious case. Massage increases circulation, and this can cause the flu virus to spread throughout your system far more quickly.

Where should I massage if I have a cough?

The base of the thumb pressure point
Place the thumb of your other hand at the center of the sore area and press it gently. Hold this point for 5 minutes. Doing this regularly will help you get relief from coughing, swollen throat and shallow breathing.

How do you get rid of a cold fast?

Cold remedies that work
  1. Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration.
  2. Rest.
  3. Soothe a sore throat.
  4. Combat stuffiness.
  5. Relieve pain.
  6. Sip warm liquids.
  7. Add moisture to the air.
  8. Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications.

How long does the flu last?

For most healthy people, the flu is an uncomfortable but short-term illness that resolves itself as the immune system fights it off. Symptoms usually appear from one to four days after exposure to the virus, and they last five to seven days.

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