Massage contraindications — when to hold off, and when to ask a doctor
Postpone your massage if you have a fever or an infection, a fresh injury or inflammation, thrombosis, a skin condition where you would be massaged, or if you are in the first trimester of pregnancy. With a chronic illness such as a heart condition, cancer or osteoporosis, ask your doctor first. Before every massage we ask about your health, and your therapist will adjust the massage or, if it could harm you, suggest another date.
This guide lists the situations we ask about before every massage and what to do in each. It does not replace a doctor's advice, and neither do our massages: they are for relaxation, not medical treatment. If you are not sure whether your situation fits, ask your doctor or call the salon before you book.
When to postpone, and when to ask a doctor first
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| A fever, a cold or another infection | Postpone your visit until you have recovered. |
| A fresh injury: a sprain, bruise, tear or fracture | Postpone your visit and have the injury seen by a doctor first. |
| Acute inflammation | Postpone your visit. |
| Thrombosis, phlebitis, or a suspicion of either | Don't come for a massage. See a doctor first. |
| A wound or skin condition where you would be massaged | Tell your therapist. She will work around it, or you can postpone until it heals. |
| First trimester of pregnancy (the first 12 weeks) | We don't perform massage in any form. |
| Pregnancy from the second trimester | Mother-to-Be Massage, with the consent of the doctor or midwife overseeing your pregnancy. |
| Recent surgery | Ask your doctor when you can return to massage. |
| A heart condition or unstable high blood pressure | Ask your doctor first. |
| Cancer under treatment | Decide together with your doctor. |
| Osteoporosis | Ask your doctor first and tell your therapist, who will adjust the pressure. |
| Diabetes with complications, such as reduced sensation | Ask your doctor first. |
| Varicose veins | Tell your therapist, who will avoid those areas. If the changes are extensive, ask your doctor first. |
We cover massage during pregnancy in more detail in Thai massage and pregnancy.
Everyday situations
- Don't drink alcohol on the day of your massage. The therapist may refuse to massage a guest who is under the influence of alcohol.
- Avoid a heavy meal for at least an hour before your massage. Lying down comfortably on a full stomach is hard.
- Your therapist will work around a fresh tattoo until it has healed.
- You can come during your period if you feel well. Tell your therapist what pressure feels comfortable.
For more tips before your visit, see how to prepare for a massage.
How we ask about your health at Tera Thai
For your first visit, come about 10 minutes early: we'll ask you to fill in a short health questionnaire. Before every massage, your therapist has a short conversation with you. Tell her about any illnesses, injuries, operations and treatments in recent months, medication, allergies and pregnancy.
Based on that, your therapist plans the massage: the pressure, the areas to avoid, and whether to suggest a massage with heat, such as a hot stone massage. If the massage could harm you, she may refuse it and will suggest another date. In that case there is no charge. During the massage you can ask for lighter or firmer pressure at any time. We describe the whole first visit step by step in what a first visit looks like.
How to reschedule
If you fall ill, or anything in the table above applies to you on the day, reschedule in the Booksy app or by phone: Gdańsk 538 899 993, Gdynia 730 823 434. It's free up to 24 hours before your visit. The rules for later cancellations are in our terms, and answers to other questions are in the FAQ.
The conversation before your massage helps us plan it, but it doesn't replace a diagnosis or a doctor's advice. If you have concerns about your health, talk to a doctor first. We'll adapt the massage to their recommendations.
Frequently asked questions
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We don't massage guests who have a fever or an infection. Postpone your visit until you have recovered. In Booksy or by phone it's free up to 24 hours before your visit.
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In the first trimester, the first 12 weeks, we don't perform massage in any form. From the second trimester we offer the Mother-to-Be Massage, with the consent of the doctor or midwife overseeing your pregnancy.
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Tell her about any illnesses, injuries, operations and treatments in recent months, medication, allergies and pregnancy. The conversation is short and discreet, and we store the information from the health form in line with our privacy policy.
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Yes. If the conversation before the massage shows that it could harm you, the therapist may decline it and will suggest another date. In that case there is no charge. She may also refuse to massage a guest who is under the influence of alcohol.
Have concerns? Ask us
Call before booking — we'll tell you whether, and what kind of massage will suit you: Gdańsk 538 899 993 or Gdynia 730 823 434. Open daily 12:00–22:00.
