Postpone a massage if you have a fever, an active infection, a contagious illness, sunburn over the treatment area, or an acute injury in the first 48 to 72 hours. A mild cold without fever is a grey area and depends on the therapist. Most therapists will decline to treat if you arrive unwell, so cancel in advance rather than turning up and hoping.
Key takeaways
- Fever means no massage
- A raised temperature indicates your body is fighting something, and massage increases circulation and places additional demand on the system.
- Contagious illness means no massage
- You share a small warm room for an hour. Therapists who catch something lose a week of income.
- A mild cold is a grey area
- Some therapists will treat, many will not. Ring and ask rather than turning up.
- Sunburn rules out the affected area
- Massage over sunburnt skin is painful and can damage already-inflamed tissue.
- Acute injuries need 48 to 72 hours
- Massage directly over a fresh sprain or strain can increase bleeding and swelling.
- Cancel in advance
- Most therapists will not charge for a genuine illness cancellation given reasonable notice, and will charge if you turn up and are turned away.
- When in doubt, ring and ask
- Therapists would far rather have the conversation beforehand.
Quick reference
| Situation | Have a massage? |
|---|---|
| Fever or raised temperature | No. Postpone |
| Flu, vomiting, diarrhoea | No. Postpone, and wait 48 hours after symptoms stop |
| Mild cold, no fever | Grey area. Ring and ask |
| Chesty cough | Usually postpone |
| Sore throat only | Usually fine if no fever, but ask |
| Sunburn | Not over the affected area |
| Acute injury, first 48 to 72 hours | No, not over the area |
| Cold sore | Not on the face; contagious |
| Athlete’s foot or verruca | Not on the feet |
| Recent surgery | Only once your surgeon has cleared it |
| Hangover | Best avoided; dehydration makes it worse |
| Period | Yes, entirely fine. See massage on your period |
Colds, flu and infection
Fever is the clear line. A raised temperature means your body is actively fighting something. Massage increases circulation and places additional demand on a system already working, and most people feel considerably worse afterwards. It is also the point at which you are most likely to be contagious.
Contagion matters practically. You share a small, warm, enclosed room for an hour with someone whose face is often close to yours. A therapist who catches something loses a week of income, and passes it to other clients in the meantime. This is why most will decline rather than take the risk.
A mild cold is genuinely a grey area. Some therapists will treat someone with a runny nose and no fever, particularly a regular client. Many will not. There is no universal rule, so ring and ask.
Sickness and diarrhoea. Postpone, and wait 48 hours after symptoms have completely stopped before booking.
After illness. Once you are properly recovered, a gentle massage is fine and often welcome. Avoid deep work for the first session back, since you may be more sensitive than usual.
Sunburn and skin
Sunburn is an inflammatory injury to the skin. Massage over burnt skin is painful, risks further damage to already-inflamed tissue, and oil or wax on it is uncomfortable.
If the burn is limited, a therapist may work on unaffected areas. If you are burnt across the back and shoulders, which is the usual pattern, there is not much left to work on and postponing makes more sense. Wait until redness and tenderness have fully resolved, typically several days.
Other skin situations worth flagging when booking:
- Cold sores. Contagious; the face is avoided.
- Athlete's foot, verrucas, fungal infections. The feet are avoided.
- Impetigo, ringworm, scabies. Postpone entirely.
- Eczema or psoriasis in an active flare. Those areas are avoided; unaffected areas are usually fine.
- Open wounds, cuts, recent scars. Worked around.
- Recent tattoo. Avoid the area until fully healed, usually two to four weeks.
- Undiagnosed rash or mole changes. Get it checked before booking.
Injuries
In the first 48 to 72 hours, do not have massage over an acute sprain, strain or bruise. Tissue is bleeding and inflamed, and pressure can increase both. This is the phase for rest, ice or heat as advised, and appropriate assessment.
After the acute phase, and once you have a diagnosis, soft tissue work can genuinely help recovery, and sports massage or Level 4 soft tissue therapy is the appropriate route. See soft tissue therapy vs sports massage.
Get assessed first if the injury involves swelling, significant bruising, inability to weight-bear, joint instability, numbness or tingling, or if it followed a fall or accident. A competent therapist will decline to treat and refer you on in these situations, which is what you want them to do.
Massage on unaffected areas is usually fine. A sprained ankle does not stop you having your shoulders worked on.
Other situations
Hangover. Not advisable. You are dehydrated, your blood pressure is unstable, and massage tends to make both worse. Most people feel considerably rougher afterwards.
After drinking. Most therapists will decline to treat someone who has been drinking, for safety and professional reasons.
Recent surgery. Only once your surgeon has cleared soft tissue work, and never over unhealed incisions. Detail is in lymphatic drainage after surgery.
Recent vaccination. Avoid the injection site for a few days; the rest of you is fine.
Pregnancy. Not an illness, but requires a specifically trained therapist. See the pregnancy massage guide.
The full list of situations where massage is inappropriate is in massage contraindications.
Cancelling properly
- Ring as soon as you know. Most therapists have a 24 or 48 hour policy, and will waive it for genuine illness given reasonable notice.
- Do not turn up and hope. Being turned away on the day is more likely to incur a charge, since the slot cannot then be filled.
- Be honest about symptoms. Therapists would far rather have the conversation than be surprised.
- Rebook while you are on the phone. It helps them fill the diary and secures you a slot.
- Ask if you are unsure. A therapist would much rather advise you beforehand than assess you at the door.
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This article is researched by the Massages Bristol editorial team using NHS guidance, professional body standards and published research, and is checked against the practice of the qualified therapists listed in our Bristol directory. It is reviewed and updated when guidance or standard practice changes. It is general information, not medical advice: speak to your GP if you have a health condition that may affect treatment.