When You Shouldn't Use a Massage Chair

There are situations in which a massage chair should not be used, and others in which you should consult a doctor first. A contraindication is a condition that makes use of the chair inadvisable: a pre-existing medical condition, an injury, or sometimes a condition such as pregnancy.

Do not use

In these cases, you should avoid using a massage chair:

• in the case of a contagious skin condition
• for recent fractures, sprains, or bruises
• if there are open, unhealed wounds in the area to be massaged
• if you have a fever or are feeling very unwell
• under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medications that impair consciousness
• for a body weight over 150 kg
• if you are prone to seizures
• in cases of brain damage or after brain surgery
• immediately after chemotherapy or radiation therapy

Talk to your doctor first

In these cases, use is not ruled out, but it should be discussed. Pay close attention to how your body reacts:

• for epilepsy or similar seizure disorders
• for thrombosis and venous disorders
• for moderate to severe scoliosis
• for osteoporosis
• after a spinal injury
• during an acute gout attack
• in the case of a high-risk pregnancy
• in autoimmune diseases

In some of these cases, a massage may be helpful; in others, certain techniques should be avoided, such as stretching or vigorous tapping. Only your doctor can make this determination.

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Back to the overview: Massage Chair Technology Explained in Simple Terms