A contraindication is any condition or factor that makes a medicine, procedure, or treatment inadvisable due to increased risk of harm to the person receiving it. Some contraindications are relative, meaning work must be avoided only on the affected area, or that the work can be modified to make the treatment safe. Other contraindications are absolute, indicating that bodywork cannot be performed safely even with modification. Most of us associate bodywork with feeling better, and while massage and lymphatic therapies are perfectly safe in most cases, there are a few instances where they can actually be dangerous. Check in with your therapist before booking an appointment if any of the listed conditions apply to you.