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About Rachel Beider, LMT
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding Therapeutic Medical Massage, Prenatal Massage, and Chronic Pain Management.

Experience
I am a NY State Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified in Prenatal Massage, and working as a Professional Doula. I have worked with Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, and in a Surgeon's Office, providing Medical Massage Therapy. I have volunteered massage work for the NYC Marathon and massaging patients at Beth Israel in the Jacob Perlowe Hospice Center. I currently own a business, Massage Williamsburg (www.massagewilliamsburg.com), in Brooklyn, NY.

Organizations
American Massage Therapy Association

Education/Credentials
Swedish Institute of Health and Sciences, WatPo Thai Medical Massage School in Bangkok, Carole Osbourne Sheets Prenatal Massage Certification, Doula Training by Association for Labor Assistants and Childbirth Educators

Past/Present Clients
My clients include dancers, athletes, a neurosurgeon, a chiropractor, yoga instructors, and moms-to-be

You are here: Experts > Style > Spas > Massage > contraindication

Massage - contraindication

Expert: Rachel Beider, LMT - 10/26/2009

Question
Why cant you massage a patient who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs(medication) and if so how long would they have to wait before they can receive a massage

Answer
Yanique,

Thank you for your question. As licensed professionals, we want to work on our clients in a state where they can provide Informed Consent. This applies to many situations, for example asking a client "Would you prefer me to work through the sheet on this area, or are you comfortable with being undraped here" on a hip or glute region. Informed consent is necessary to establish boundaries, and cannot be obtained while a client isn't sober.

Also when someone isn't able to think clearly, finding out about depth of pressure may be difficult and inaccurate. If your client is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, they may not be able to provide feedback that is appropriate. Lastly for your own safety, it's contraindicated to work on a client who isn't sober.

We want to work on our clients when they are sober to provide the best care for themselves and for us. It's safe to say that they should wait until they are no longer under the influence to receive massage therapy.

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