Massage therapy is a powerful tool for relaxation, pain relief and improved wellbeing. Whether you’re seeking relief from stress, managing chronic pain or simply enjoying some self-care, massage can offer many benefits. But like any therapeutic intervention, it’s essential to make sure it’s appropriate and safe for you and that means keeping your therapist informed about your medical history.
At Essential Thyme, we pride ourselves on creating a safe, supportive, and professional space for every client. One of the most important ways we can do this is by ensuring that we have all the relevant health information we need to tailor your therapy. That’s why we always ask you to complete a consultation form and to keep us updated if your medical circumstances change.
We recently spoke with one of our former clients who has generously allowed us to share their experience. Their story serves as a powerful reminder of just how important it is to share and update your massage therapist with any new health developments, no matter how small they may seem.
Case Study: A Client’s Journey with Triple Positive APS
We have been speaking to one of our previous massage clients, who has recently shared with us about a new medical condition they have received. It’s a reminder of how important it is to listen to our bodies and support one another through life’s changes.
Nine years ago, I had a pulmonary embolism. I was in my early 30s, fit, healthy, and had no idea what a PE even was. It was terrifying experience. I had a sudden sharp pain in my chest, struggling to breathe, and a weeklong hospital stay on oxygen. Eventually, I came off my medication and got back to life, assuming it was a freak event. No one mentioned autoimmune disorders. No one said it could happen again. No further tests were carried out.
Fast forward nearly a decade, and life threw me another curveball.
A recent back injury had me side-lined for weeks. My mobility was severely limited. Walking was painful, and I struggled daily just to get through the day. After several weeks, I noticed a long and raised lump in my leg. I thought it may have been a pulled muscle due to my limited ability to move. Once I had surgery to fix my back injury, the pain in my leg grew deeper and something felt wrong. Following a hospital visit, it ended up showing a substantial clot in my leg (knee to groin).
This time, doctors dug deeper. Blood tests revealed that I’m triple positive for antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). This is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly creates antibodies that increase the risk of blood clots. ‘Triple positive’ means I tested positive for all three of the key antibodies they look for in APS. This makes my case more severe and high risk for further events.
Once this information settled in, suddenly, everything made sense, the unexplained clot nine years ago, the strange symptoms in between, and now this. But making sense of it doesn’t make it easier. I’m now on warfarin for life and this diagnosis has forced me to re-evaluate nearly every aspect of how I live.
Small things like beauty treatments I used to enjoy. Waxing is off the table due to the risk of bruising or skin trauma. Massages, especially deep tissue, are now something I must approach with caution, ensuring the therapist knows my condition and is experienced in handling clients on anticoagulants.
Flying now comes with a risk checklist – compression stockings, in flight movement, medication timing and hydration. All vital to prevent another clot. I used to get excited about travel, now I must plan, prepare and ensure all potential risks are monitored.
My diet had to change as well. Warfarin is sensitive to vitamin K, which is found in a lot of the greens. It’s not that I can’t have them, it’s just that I have to be consistent. No more fad diets or spontaneous detoxes. Every meal must be balanced with intention. But I’m learning to live differently now.
Triple positive APS is an invisible illness in many ways. I don’t look sick. I don’t walk with any obvious sign that my blood has the potential to turn on me without warning. However, every day is shaped by this knowledge that I live with a condition that requires constant awareness, constant management.
Some days it is mentally exhausting, and I do get frustrated with how much planning I must do or take into consideration daily. I remind myself though that there is strength in knowing. My pulmonary embolism nine years ago could have killed me. This latest clot could have too. Now, I have a name for it. A plan. A path forward.
Living with triple positive APS isn’t easy, but I’m learning to adapt. I’ve had to let go of certain things, but I’ve gained perspective and resilience. I intend to live it boldly but carefully.
– Shared with kind permission | Learn more: APS Support UK
Why Disclosing Medical History Matters
Massage therapy is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every client brings a unique set of circumstances to the table, literally! If you live with an autoimmune disorder, clotting issues, cardiovascular disease, or have recently had surgery or started taking medications like anticoagulants, your massage therapist may need to adapt your session, or in some cases, postpone it entirely, to keep you safe.
That’s why we ask about your health in detail during your first consultation and check in again before each session. It’s also why it’s so important that you let your therapist know if anything has changed, no matter how long it’s been since your last visit.
Being honest and open about your health helps your therapist:
- Avoid techniques that could cause harm (e.g. deep tissue massage for someone on blood thinners)
- Modify the therapy plan to ensure safety and comfort
- Identify when it’s better to delay therapy or ask for medical clearance
- Support you holistically as your wellness needs change
Safe, Compassionate and Personalised Care
We’re training to assess risk and act accordingly at Essential Thyme. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition, recovering from illness, or just experiencing a temporary change in your health, we’re here to work with you, always with your safety and wellbeing at the heart of what we do.
We’re grateful to our client for sharing their journey with APS. Their experience is a reminder that invisible conditions are very real, and that we all need to stay mindful, informed and empowered when it comes to managing our own health.
If you’re unsure about whether massage is right for you, or if you’ve had a recent change in your health, we encourage you to get in touch before your session. We’re always happy to offer guidance or liaise with your healthcare provider if needed.
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