Would therapeutic massage of right side paralyzed after stroke be beneficial and helpful as support for physiotherapy.

Hi,

Thank-you for reaching out to Ask a Health Professional on Enableme and for your question regarding massage. I’m sorry to hear about the difficulties your brother Georg is experiencing with his right side.

Our Clinical Guidelines make no mention of massage, so we don’t really have a set recommendation.

Massage therapy is generally considered to be safe for stroke survivors and certainly some stroke survivors find it beneficial. However, it is important to proceed with caution and take a few things into consideration:

• If you haven’t already, check with your doctor or physiotherapist that is it definitely safe for you to receive massage therapy.
• If you are on blood thinners, avoid deep tissue massage as this could result in bruising.
• Preferably find a an accredited massage therapist that has a history of medical massage and has had experience in working with individuals who have experienced stroke, as opposed to a relaxation or sports therapist. Make sure that you provide an accurate medical history (including medications) to the massage therapist.
• Care should be taken in the neck area in the region of the carotid artery.

We hope this information is helpful for you. If you would like to discuss further or have any further questions, or need support, please reach out to our team of health professionals on Strokeline, ph 1800 787 653, Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm AEDT, or via email at strokeline@strokefoundation.org.au.

Best wishes,

Jo (Strokeline).