Can Foot Massage Be Dangerous?

[Jangot]

The previous mention of "causing" a blood clot is I think near correct, but the clot is liberated, not caused.

I was working with a colleague who complained of pain in his lower leg. He went for a foot massage (where his calves/lower legs were also massaged).

The next day he was suffering from severe chest and jaw pain. He went to hospital.

The scan showed a blockage to a main artery supplying his heart.

An emergency operation (stent) cleared the blockage and he recovered.

But further clots were found in his lower legs, for which he had further treatment.

The surgeon was of the opinion that the massage had liberated the clot, allowing it to travel to his heart.

I think (note, the I think, I have no factual basis) that someone off a long haul flight, with possible Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) could be at similar risk.

I have heard anecdotal accounts of this happening before.

I would suggest that anyone, especially frequent flyers, who experiences lower leg pain, should see a doctor before having a foot/leg massage

Jangot.

[eggomaniac]

A highly trained foot masseuse can temporarily stop the heart with pressure applied to the correct part of the foot. This is actually where Mr. Spock's Vulcan grip originates - in the very early episodes of Star Trek it was planned that Mr. Spock would be Thai and not Vulcan (his original name was to be Mr. Sapok), and his special move involved the deft massage of his evil foes (or out of control crewmembers) feet. It was only when Shatner pointed out that it may be somewhat impractical to have to remove the wrongdoers boots in order to administer the debilitating move that the now famous Vulcan grip came into being. Nimoy agreed and the rest, as they say, is history...

You didn't know, also, they had discovered that feet were sexual organs for Klingnons? If spock ever had to 'pinch out' one of them it would have created an Inter Galactic harrassment crisis.

---------------

Pregnant women are supposed to avoid massages BTW.

[eggomaniac]

Massage should NOT hurt! masochist,

Don't let 'em hurt you, tell 'em and if it doesn't stop, get out 'a there!

Before you hurt, quite some damage can be done, doing the wrong thing!

For me best example is the massage in Wat Po, once one has been there, one knows, what it is all about in Thai-Massage!

The rest is crap!

hmmm I had an excrutiating massage by a blind massuese near Chatujak. That was in 2007. I made the 'mistake' of telling him my 'right knee' when asked if I had a specific problem. It had been 'wonky' for years, sometimes okay, sometimes on a bad limp. MAN he dug in into it!

Thing is, it has been better ever since! I will go back to him for sure!!!

[Samuian]

Massage should NOT hurt! masochist,

Don't let 'em hurt you, tell 'em and if it doesn't stop, get out 'a there!

Before you hurt, quite some damage can be done, doing the wrong thing!

For me best example is the massage in Wat Po, once one has been there, one knows, what it is all about in Thai-Massage!

The rest is crap!

hmmm I had an excrutiating massage by a blind massuese near Chatujak. That was in 2007. I made the 'mistake' of telling him my 'right knee' when asked if I had a specific problem. It had been 'wonky' for years, sometimes okay, sometimes on a bad limp. MAN he dug in into it!

Thing is, it has been better ever since! I will go back to him for sure!!!

I wouldn't !

Reading about the liberating of blood clots and thinking about what a bruised part in muscle tissue actually is... i am NOT keen!

I know what you are talking about, I know an old man too, he is known for "Djab Sen" some sort of chiropractic, he has a grip and it does hurt too but, the parts he grabs and manipulate never bruise!

[apetley]

Can foot massage be dangerous?

Maybe if married to Marsellus Wallace.

[londonthai]

I've already gone to a podiatrist. He says my weak ankles are the result of ancient sprains that now result in "mechanical instability". Sucks, but if I want it repaired it will require surgery with a long and painful recovery.

get some elasticated bandages as well as well fitted, confortable shoes, which would protect your ankles. A walking stick might be a great help. You can self massage some analgetic creams around the area, even thai herbal balms, to ease the pain

[Igor]

The only really dangerous part of a foot massage it when they pull your toes and make the 'crack'. There are some many tiny bones in your toes, especially the big toe.... they can get broken!!

Another danger in Thai massage is when they stop the blood flow to your legs by applying pressure to your groin. The release of blood when they remove their hands can, and has, released minor blood clots in your legs causing the clots to enter the lungs and even the brain.

I see the beginning of an urban myth here. Sorry. Almost impossible to break a bone by pulling on it and you don't get a back up of blood pressure from pressing a pressure point. More likely the massage itself may dislodge a blood clot.

[Igor]

12 years ago an acquaintance (American guy) I knew had a foot massage somewhere in Chiang Mai.

It caused a blood clot, which travelled through his body to the brain. He died the next day.

So, that's a ''yes'' then.

Now come on how was that proven to have caused it???

Again, massages (unless really brutal) do not cause blood clots. If the story is true, it is more likely he already had a clot and the massage mobilized it. If you lead a very sedentary life or have just gotten off a long airplane ride, skip the massage. If you're still worried about this tiny possibility (remember, this is a story of one case twelve years ago) take half an aspirin every day.

[jopham]

I have had many Thai body massages usual every day untill a profesional Thai male masseur (50+) told me that I had too many massages. He told me one Thai massage ever 4 days is exceptable, anymore was excesive and could harm your body.

I was Chiang Mai when this happened and he refused to massage me when I came back for the 3rd consecitive day.

Afterwards I have asked a few profesional male and female masseurs and they (some very reluctantly) told the same as the Chang Mai masseur. They normally won`t tell a farang of the complication that can occure from a Thai massage. A foot massage should only happen maximum ones a week and NEVER with a stick, only hands.

I love getting Thai body massages and reduced them to ones every 4-5 days just to be on the safe side. I do not like Thai foot massages so I am on the very safe side of that. I can not stand oil massage but my Thai wife loves them. Oil massage are harmless by the way I was told.

Cheesr jopham

Edited February 1, 2009 by jopham

[orang37]

A highly trained foot masseuse can temporarily stop the heart with pressure applied to the correct part of the foot. This is actually where Mr. Spock's Vulcan grip originates - in the very early episodes of Star Trek it was planned that Mr. Spock would be Thai and not Vulcan (his original name was to be Mr. Sapok), and his special move involved the deft massage of his evil foes (or out of control crewmembers) feet. It was only when Shatner pointed out that it may be somewhat impractical to have to remove the wrongdoers boots in order to administer the debilitating move that the now famous Vulcan grip came into being. Nimoy agreed and the rest, as they say, is history...

You're a fabulator after me own heart, Khun Jimmy.

Bonus creativity points awarded

best, ~o:37;

[Samuian]

12 years ago an acquaintance (American guy) I knew had a foot massage somewhere in Chiang Mai.

It caused a blood clot, which travelled through his body to the brain. He died the next day.

So, that's a ''yes'' then.

Now come on how was that proven to have caused it???

Again, massages (unless really brutal) do not cause blood clots. If the story is true, it is more likely he already had a clot and the massage mobilized it. If you lead a very sedentary life or have just gotten off a long airplane ride, skip the massage. If you're still worried about this tiny possibility (remember, this is a story of one case twelve years ago) take half an aspirin every day.

Someone - further up commented on this one already and did set things clearer, the poster mentioned that massage won't "cause" it, but more likely "liberate" the clot - that's the plot!

And I can't see why a proper Thai massage can be "dangerous" if had more often than 4 days break periods...

And the "pressure points" in the groin are the major blood vessels, not simple "pressure points", they are held close and after some time suddenly released, it's what causes the sensation of a "heat wave", "warm flow" into ones legs... I don't know, what that could cause, I just don't like it!

[thaibkk]

it is probably dangerous if you came in for a foot massage, see a delightfull young woman and want to be rubbed elsewhere

[orang37]

I have very weak ankles and when I go to Thailand I love getting foot massages nearly every day. A couple of weeks after my last trip to Thailand, I starting having odd pains in my ankle. It's as though it was sprained, but without a cause. Usually, I'd just be sitting at my desk and I'll move my ankle in just the right way and it hurts. It will continue to hurt for anywhere between a ten minutes to about 30 hours. The pain typically ends quite suddenly. I don't think foot massages are the cause of my problems, but I do wonder if getting foot massages so often could exacerbate any old injuries I have in my ankles.

Has anyone had problems with their feet after getting foot massages? Are there any known dangers to getting a foot massage?

Sawasdee Khrup, Khun Daveh,

The general problem with "nuwat boran" (authentic non-sexual Thai massage) is that, imho, eight out of ten practitioners don't know what they are doing unless they are a graduate of a school like the one at Wat Po. In Chiang Mai, there must be one-thousand foot-massage folks within the Night Bazaar zone : most of them don't have a clue.

So the secret is to find a good practitioner and stick with them. For me the best practitioners in Chiang Mai I've found are at the Airport Plaza shopping mall in the "Old Lanna Pavillion" first floor. A clean and quiet place.

I think unless you have varicose veins, extreme osteoporesis, circulatory problems in the legs, arteriosclerosis under treatment with medication, or some other strange condition you are in no danger whatsoever. And if you do have any of those conditions, common sense suggests asking your doctor about the advisibility of any massage.

Your "common sense" should tell when you something is too painful or doesn't feel right, and you should either stop the massage, ask for a softer massage by saying something like "garuna, ba bow qua, Khrup," change to another practitioner, etc.

One reply suggested that Thai massage is applied to joints and that is absurd : only someone who doesn't know what they are doing applies direct pressure on the spine or any bone or joint, and if they do, your pain receptors should immediately tell you. Some of the "stretches" can apply a lot of stress on the joints, however, but, again, your body should be telling you that you've reached your limit and you should communicate that to the practitioner.

In any case speak up about what you want and don't want : if you can't speak Thai ask the manager or someone in the area who does to help you communicate.

By the way one of the side-effects of the so-called "erectile dysfunction" drugs (Viagra, Levitra, etc.) can be ankle swelling and/or injury.

regards, ~o:37;

[jtp]

I have personally had a massage from hel_l at the night markets in BKK,seriously i think the guy took one look at my size and thought"I'm gonna see how much this big bloke can take"!!Like a fool i lay there and took it,instead of pushing him away and walking...God was i sore for about 2 weeks... I quickly learnt 2 words...JEP and (profanity)..LOL I would never let someone hurt me again,and i have only ever had good massages since,next to the mini bus roundabout in BKK,and Baan Suan in Sawan.Oh,some ladies in MBK are good too.

[Gertrude]

12 years ago an acquaintance (American guy) I knew had a foot massage somewhere in Chiang Mai.

It caused a blood clot, which travelled through his body to the brain. He died the next day.

So, that's a ''yes'' then.

Now come on how was that proven to have caused it???

Again, massages (unless really brutal) do not cause blood clots. If the story is true, it is more likely he already had a clot and the massage mobilized it. If you lead a very sedentary life or have just gotten off a long airplane ride, skip the massage. If you're still worried about this tiny possibility (remember, this is a story of one case twelve years ago) take half an aspirin every day.

Someone - further up commented on this one already and did set things clearer, the poster mentioned that massage won't "cause" it, but more likely "liberate" the clot - that's the plot!

And I can't see why a proper Thai massage can be "dangerous" if had more often than 4 days break periods...

And the "pressure points" in the groin are the major blood vessels, not simple "pressure points", they are held close and after some time suddenly released, it's what causes the sensation of a "heat wave", "warm flow" into ones legs... I don't know, what that could cause, I just don't like it!

Indeed, it's this precisely, what can 'liberate' any unknown blood clot in the legs.

[FaaRakThai]

Have your doctor give you a referral to a properly trained podiatrist. You'll get a much more informed diagnosis than from strangers on an anonymous internet forum.

yes, yes, podiatrist and chiropractor will enhance the healing of your feet! see if you have any bone spurs, cysts, etc. so you can know on a deeper level what's going on.

[JoeThePoster]

Can Foot Massage Be Dangerous?

I don't think it is, but just to be on the safe side, I'd never let anyone massage me with their foot.

[jacquesparra]

I have very weak ankles and when I go to Thailand I love getting foot massages nearly every day. A couple of weeks after my last trip to Thailand, I starting having odd pains in my ankle. It's as though it was sprained, but without a cause. Usually, I'd just be sitting at my desk and I'll move my ankle in just the right way and it hurts. It will continue to hurt for anywhere between a ten minutes to about 30 hours. The pain typically ends quite suddenly. I don't think foot massages are the cause of my problems, but I do wonder if getting foot massages so often could exacerbate any old injuries I have in my ankles.

Has anyone had problems with their feet after getting foot massages? Are there any known dangers to getting a foot massage?

[OldenAtwoody]

Be very careful and observe the sanitation of the shop and the technician. You can easily get athlete’s foot (or worse) from dirty footbaths, re-used tools, towels, etc. I had a friend who was a masseuse, and she got a terrible skin infection on both hands and forearms from giving massages.

If the place is not clean, or the tech does not wash up first, or wash YOU first, then be very afraid.

I have very weak ankles and when I go to Thailand I love getting foot massages nearly every day. A couple of weeks after my last trip to Thailand, I starting having odd pains in my ankle. It's as though it was sprained, but without a cause. Usually, I'd just be sitting at my desk and I'll move my ankle in just the right way and it hurts. It will continue to hurt for anywhere between a ten minutes to about 30 hours. The pain typically ends quite suddenly. I don't think foot massages are the cause of my problems, but I do wonder if getting foot massages so often could exacerbate any old injuries I have in my ankles.

Has anyone had problems with their feet after getting foot massages? Are there any known dangers to getting a foot massage?

[syd barrett]

I had an embarrassing experience during a foot massage. The woman was massaging an area of my foot linked to my sphincter muscles and I had an accident in my pants. Luckily I was wearing jeans at the time so managed to salvage some solids into the nearest toilet.

I have not had a foot massage since.

[daveh]

I had an embarrassing experience during a foot massage. The woman was massaging an area of my foot linked to my sphincter muscles and I had an accident in my pants. Luckily I was wearing jeans at the time so managed to salvage some solids into the nearest toilet.

I have not had a foot massage since.

Actually I don't believe all this 'reflexology' stuff. There is no way doing something to your foot can result in having an accident in your pants. You may have irritable bowel syndrome which can be triggered by something you recently ate. The only reason I get a foot massage is because I like how my feet feel afterward. My feet never hurt after a foot massage, just relaxed. The best foot massage I had was after a long day walking around the city. My feet ached and it was great getting them rubbed. I wish I could have had it done in my bed so I wouldn't have to walk home to go to sleep.

[Owain]

I have very weak ankles and when I go to Thailand I love getting foot massages nearly every day. A couple of weeks after my last trip to Thailand, I starting having odd pains in my ankle. It's as though it was sprained, but without a cause. Usually, I'd just be sitting at my desk and I'll move my ankle in just the right way and it hurts. It will continue to hurt for anywhere between a ten minutes to about 30 hours. The pain typically ends quite suddenly. I don't think foot massages are the cause of my problems, but I do wonder if getting foot massages so often could exacerbate any old injuries I have in my ankles.

Has anyone had problems with their feet after getting foot massages? Are there any known dangers to getting a foot massage?

I don't know if it can be dangerous but certainly it can be painful when some of those girls are digging that piece of wood into the soles of your feet. Myself I try to be a man and show no pain but it <deleted> hurts big time.

[syd barrett]

I had an embarrassing experience during a foot massage. The woman was massaging an area of my foot linked to my sphincter muscles and I had an accident in my pants. Luckily I was wearing jeans at the time so managed to salvage some solids into the nearest toilet.

I have not had a foot massage since.

Actually I don't believe all this 'reflexology' stuff. There is no way doing something to your foot can result in having an accident in your pants. You may have irritable bowel syndrome which can be triggered by something you recently ate.

I don't have IBS and I did not have an upset stomach at the time.

Manipulation of a certain area of the sole of the foot triggers a direct relaxation of the parasympathetic nerves, causing loss of control of the sphincter muscles.

If you look at the large colour sign of a human foot they use as display and arrowed indicating different organs of the body. There is an arrow pointing to the upper left side of the sole indicating 'anus' it is my opinion that the masseure was concentrating on this area by mistake.

[xjessie007]

I had an embarrassing experience during a foot massage. The woman was massaging an area of my foot linked to my sphincter muscles and I had an accident in my pants. Luckily I was wearing jeans at the time so managed to salvage some solids into the nearest toilet.

I have not had a foot massage since.

Actually I don't believe all this 'reflexology' stuff. There is no way doing something to your foot can result in having an accident in your pants. You may have irritable bowel syndrome which can be triggered by something you recently ate.

I don't have IBS and I did not have an upset stomach at the time.

Manipulation of a certain area of the sole of the foot triggers a direct relaxation of the parasympathetic nerves, causing loss of control of the sphincter muscles.

If you look at the large colour sign of a human foot they use as display and arrowed indicating different organs of the body. There is an arrow pointing to the upper left side of the sole indicating 'anus' it is my opinion that the masseure was concentrating on this area by mistake.

I think foot massage is a weaker form of accupuncture. You can do a lot of damage with accupuncture too. I would not believe any of those folks that try to heal you with massaging your legs unless the guy is certified and has really good reputation. The same like with ear piercing. Many people get by with a needle heated over candle. But there are cases where you poke some dangerous spot and get into trouble.

[daveh]

I think foot massage is a weaker form of accupuncture. You can do a lot of damage with accupuncture too. I would not believe any of those folks that try to heal you with massaging your legs unless the guy is certified and has really good reputation. The same like with ear piercing. Many people get by with a needle heated over candle. But there are cases where you poke some dangerous spot and get into trouble.

I don't believe any folks claiming they can heal anything with a foot massage, except for tired feet. If he is certified, that only says he paid someone to teach him the "science". There is no science, just bunk. Pell & Teller had a good Bullsh*t episode on this very subject.