A condition that makes a particular treatment inadvisable.
A contraindication is any condition or factor that makes a specific treatment inadvisable due to potential harm. In massage, absolute contraindications include fever, infectious disease, and recent surgery at the treatment site. Relative contraindications (where massage may be modified but not eliminated) include pregnancy, high blood pressure, and certain skin conditions.
Knowing what contraindication means makes it easier to talk with a masseur before the session starts. Mention it during the intake conversation if it matters to you — a professional male massage therapist will explain how it fits the modality you booked, adjust pressure or positioning around it, and tell you honestly when a different approach suits your body better. You will find the same vocabulary used across our massage service pages, our wellness guides, and the NYC neighborhood pages, so the terms you learn here carry over to booking a real session.