Is it good or bad to get a massage when you're sick?

September 29, 2025 •

4 min read

According to health experts, the primary concern with getting a massage when sick is the risk of spreading a contagious illness to others, particularly your therapist. The question of whether it's good or bad to get a massage when you're sick depends entirely on the nature and severity of your symptoms.

Quick Summary

Deciding whether to get a massage while sick depends on your specific symptoms and whether you are contagious. A massage can potentially make you feel worse by overtaxing your immune system, especially if you have a fever, are experiencing nausea, or have a highly contagious illness like the flu. Conversely, a light, non-stimulating massage may offer some benefits during the recovery phase of a mild illness like a cold.

Key Points

Prioritize Rest During Acute Illness: If you have a fever, feel nauseous, or have a contagious illness like the flu, your body needs rest, not a stimulating massage.
Avoid Spreading Germs: Attending a massage while contagious puts your therapist and other clients at risk. Reschedule your appointment to protect the health of others.
Consider Post-Illness Benefits: A massage can be beneficial during the recovery phase of a mild illness to relieve muscle aches, boost the immune system, and reduce stress.
Communicate with Your Therapist: Always inform your massage therapist about your recent or current health status, even if you are just recovering. Honesty is crucial for your safety and theirs.
Recognize Contraindications: Total contraindications for massage include significant fever, contagious diseases, and severe instability, while local contraindications can be worked around.
Opt for Safe Self-Care: For immediate relief during illness, try gentle self-massage techniques for sinuses, use heat for muscle soreness, and focus on rest and hydration.

When to Absolutely Avoid a Massage

While the thought of a relaxing massage might be tempting when you're feeling unwell, there are very specific circumstances where it is a bad idea and potentially harmful. The well-being of both yourself and your massage therapist should be the top priority. Scheduling a massage with an acute, contagious illness can put others at risk and can actually exacerbate your own symptoms.

Contagious Illnesses: The Risk to Others

If you have a contagious disease such as the flu, a severe cold, or a viral infection, it is essential to stay home. A massage takes place in an enclosed, warm room, which is an ideal environment for germs to spread. During a session, you are in close contact with your massage therapist for an extended period, making it very likely they will contract your illness. A sick massage therapist would then need to take time off work, and you could also leave behind germs that could affect subsequent clients, even with thorough cleaning.

Symptoms that Signal a Reschedule

Several symptoms indicate that your body is in the acute phase of fighting an infection and a massage is contraindicated. These include:

Fever: A fever is a clear sign your body is working hard to fight an invader. Massage stimulates circulation, which could potentially spread the infection and place additional strain on your body, making you feel more exhausted and prolonging your recovery.
Nausea or Vomiting: Massage can sometimes release metabolic waste and increase stimulation, which can worsen feelings of nausea. It is best to wait until your digestive system is stable before receiving a massage.
Body Aches and Pains: While massage can relieve muscular aches, during the intense initial stages of an illness, your body is already sensitive and inflamed. The pressure from a massage could be uncomfortable or even painful, rather than soothing.
Intense Sinus Congestion: Lying face down on a massage table can be extremely uncomfortable and can exacerbate sinus pressure and congestion, making it difficult to breathe.

Potential Benefits During the Recovery Phase

Once you have moved past the acute, contagious stage of an illness and are on the mend, massage may offer some benefits, but it should be approached with caution and communication with your therapist.

Boosting the Immune System

Some research suggests that massage can help boost the immune system by increasing the number of lymphocytes, which are white blood cells that help fight infection. This can be particularly beneficial after you are no longer contagious but are still feeling run-down.

Relieving Residual Symptoms

After the initial illness has passed, a light massage can help with lingering issues. It can alleviate muscle tension and soreness that may have resulted from coughing, sneezing, or prolonged bed rest. By increasing circulation, it can also help to relieve residual sinus pressure.

Reducing Stress

Being sick is stressful, and the recovery period can be draining. Massage is a proven method for reducing the stress hormone cortisol and increasing feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This can help improve your mood and support a faster recovery.

Comparison: When to Massage vs. When to Wait


Condition / Symptom	Massage Recommended?	Rationale
Acute, contagious phase (first 2–4 days)	No	High risk of spreading infection; overtaxes the immune system; can worsen symptoms like fever and nausea.
Contagious illness (e.g., flu, COVID)	No	Poses a significant risk to the massage therapist and other clients. Stay home until no longer contagious.
Fever	No	Risks spreading the infection via increased circulation and taxing an already overtaxed body.
Nausea or vomiting	No	Can worsen symptoms due to bodily stimulation and the release of metabolic waste.
Mild congestion (not contagious)	Possibly (with precautions)	Can potentially help with sinus drainage and pressure, but inform your therapist and have tissues ready.
Body aches (recovery stage)	Yes (light massage)	Can help relieve residual muscle soreness and tension after the acute illness has passed.
Stress and fatigue (recovery stage)	Yes	Reduces cortisol and promotes relaxation, aiding in a more complete recovery.

The Importance of Communication and Rescheduling

When in doubt, the best course of action is to reschedule your appointment. Most massage therapists have strict cancellation policies regarding illness for the safety of both their staff and clients. A responsible therapist will appreciate your consideration. When you do book your next session, be honest about your recent illness so they can make any necessary adjustments to the treatment or take extra precautions.

Your body's primary focus during illness is to rest and fight the infection. Introducing external stimulation and physical work from a massage can be counterproductive. Wait until you feel you are completely in the clear, and then you can enjoy the restorative benefits of a massage without risk to yourself or others.

Alternative Self-Care for When You're Sick

While waiting to be well enough for a professional massage, there are several self-care techniques you can use to alleviate symptoms at home. Gentle stretches can help with stiffness from bed rest, and applying a heating pad can soothe sore muscles. For sinus congestion, a gentle facial massage using your fingertips to tap around the sinus areas can encourage drainage. Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest is also essential for a quick recovery. The Mayo Clinic provides useful tips on relaxation techniques that you can use to reduce stress and support your body's healing process.

The Final Verdict

Ultimately, whether a massage is good or bad when you're sick depends on the specific illness. For contagious illnesses or during the acute phase with a fever, nausea, or significant body aches, it is definitively bad. For the recovery phase of a mild illness, it can be beneficial for relieving lingering symptoms and stress. Always err on the side of caution, communicate with your therapist, and prioritize rest during the most critical period of your illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, a massage will not cure a cold and could actually prolong your healing process if you are in the contagious, acute stage of the illness. Once you are past the contagious phase, a light massage might help with lingering symptoms like aches, but it won't speed up the initial recovery.

If you get a massage with a fever, the increased circulation from the massage could potentially spread the infection and overtax your immune system, making you feel more exhausted and potentially prolonging your illness. It is best to wait until your fever is gone.

It is generally safe to get a massage once your contagious period has passed and your fever has broken. You should feel well enough to resume normal activities without feeling fatigued. For some illnesses, this might mean waiting a week or more.

No, lymphatic drainage massage is not safe when you have an active infection. The purpose of this massage is to increase lymphatic circulation, which could potentially spread infectious pathogens throughout your body.

If your stuffy nose is part of a mild, non-contagious cold, you can likely proceed. However, you should still inform your therapist. A gentle sinus massage may even offer relief. If you are constantly sneezing or need to blow your nose, it's more respectful to wait.

A deep tissue massage can be particularly risky when sick, as it can cause more soreness and flu-like symptoms post-massage, a condition known as Post-Massage Soreness & Malaise (PMSM). It can be too intense for a body already fighting an infection.

Yes, regular massages can help boost your immune system when you are healthy by reducing stress hormones and promoting relaxation. Massage therapy is most effective for immune support as a preventative measure, not a treatment for an active illness.