massage after a long haul flight

[Dogma]

When is it safe to massage someone after a long haul flight? A client has asked for a massage on the day she returns from her holiday. I tried googling but couldn't find anything. I am concerned about the risk of DVT from flying.

 

[cutiee:)]

A good massage is the same as a brisk jog. I am not aware of many flight travellers dropping like flies due to going for a run after a flight.

Personally, I wouldn't consider it an issue.

You could give someone a massage who had been sitting up all night cramming for an exam and not even consider it. Though it is a similar scenario.

Patchouli

 

[Davy Jones]

What a great way to end a holiday. Might flush out any germs picked up on the flight too!

 

[iLoveMusic!!]

As long as there were no unexplained leg pains, I would be happy to massage someone after a long flight.

 

[Erick28]

Massage can help to combat jet lag and alleviate fluid retention, which I get when I fly sometimes. I think it is a good time for a treatment. I know some airlines even offer massage whilst flying. As said before DVT has to be watched out for, hopefully people on long haul flights do their exercises or wear the elastic flight socks as a preventative measure.

Binah
x

 

[Kristen B]

make double sure the person has no history of circulatory problems. i would leave it a week to be safe, as if person shows any dvt type symptoms, you really really do not want any question of causation being your massage. I have in depth knowledge of a case (i cannot go into details) where this happened and therapist was blamed...

just cover yourself by leaving it a little while.


Saffron

 

[Woo Wow]

Personally I think this is a tad over reacting, however if that is your practice then you are perfectly entitled.

Many clients who attend for massage have jobs where they are sitting at desks for eight hours a day only arising for a lunch break. Would you not massage them either?

If we are going to be scared to massage clients "just because" then we would be as well packing it in altogether.

Yes, exercise caution if client is symptomatic of any possible dangerous health issue ( I have sent a few clients away but usually due to having high blood pressure when they attend for colonic hydrotherapy and one who attended for Hopi candles with an ear infection) but as Binah pointed out, there are plenty of therapists offering massage at airports. I don't see people dropping like flies.

So for your in depth knowledge of a case where a therapist was "blamed" what was the outcome? As someone who was in nursing for 20 years and have a very firm knowledge in pathophysiology I would find that this case would be extremely hard to prove by a claimant especially if the therapist carried out a full consultation. I would be really interested to know if the therapist was successfully sued and on what basis.

Patchouli

 

[ChrisWodja]

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/Deep_Vein_Thrombosis.html#animation

Good Bupa website about DVT. Especially interesting is the part about long haul flights/travel in general being a minimal risk to DVT unless any of the other reasons such as being overweight or previous history of DVT involved.

Essence, if you do a thorough consultation and there are no outwardly visible signs of DVT then I cannot see a problem.

LIke I said, would you ask this question if your client had just did an all night study stint?

Patchouli

 

[Jeff H.]

Thanks Patchouli for posting the BUPA link. I read with interest about DVT and flying - and DVT can occur (if you have a predisposition) if you are seated for over 4 hours whilst travelling on a bus, train or car - and this also applies to any seated, sedentary lifestyle. Does this mean that massaging someone straight from the office would also be a no no!

As in anything a bit of commonsense, rather than a blanket rule, is advisable.
Also education for any clients who have a sedentary job/lifestyle to get up and take a stroll every now and again would help.

Binah
xXx

 

[Scarlette Jones]

as i said... i cannot comment on said case.

and my advice stands.

 

[willow ?]

When flying long haul last year I had massages at airports when in transit, after a 5 hr boat trip, and before flying home at a spar in our hotel. No jet lag, no tiredness, felt amazing and can definately recommend it.