Is it OK to massage a leg with a blood clot?

If you are currently being treated for DVT, do not massage your legs. Massage could cause the clot to break loose. If you are scheduled for surgery, ask your surgeon what you can do to help prevent blood clots after surgery. Stop smoking.

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Should you massage the area of a blood clot?

Massage is also contraindicated if the person has a blood clot. Another word for this is “deep vein thrombosis.” The risk is that the massage may cause the blood clot to dislodge and travel to the lungs, thus causing a pulmonary embolism that could be life-threatening.

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What should you avoid doing if you have a blood clot in your leg?

DON'T stand or sit in one spot for a long time. DON'T wear clothing that restricts blood flow in your legs. DON'T smoke. DON'T participate in contact sports when taking blood thinners because you're at risk of bleeding from trauma.

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Why massage is not recommended for clients with blood clots?

Massage can loosen blood clots. This could be dangerous because the clot could migrate to the brain, lungs or heart. If you are aware of any blood clots, consult your doctor before massage to make sure that it will not be effected by massage therapy.

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What is the best thing to do when you have a blood clot in your leg?

If you think you have a blood clot, call your doctor or go to the emergency room right away!

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What does a blood clot in the leg feel like?

40 related questions found

How long does it take for a blood clot in your leg to dissolve?

It takes about 3 to 6 months for a blood clot to go away. During this time, there are things you can do to relieve symptoms. Elevate your leg to reduce swelling. Talk to your doctor about using compression stockings.

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How should I sleep with a blood clot in my leg?

Elevate your legs above the level of your heart.

Elevate your legs when you sit or lie down, as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your legs on pillows or blankets to keep them elevated comfortably.

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Can massage break up blood clots?

The authors opine: “Not only can [massage] dislodge an already established blood clot, but, as in this case, it can also predispose an individual to venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism. … there is likely underreporting.”

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Can someone on blood thinners get a massage?

If you take anticoagulant medication (blood thinners, such as warfarin or apixaban), you may find you bruise much more easily, so deep tissue massage won't be suitable. If you've had a heart attack or are recovering from heart surgery, it is common to feel anxious, so having a massage may help you to relax.

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When is massage not recommended?

Second, a massage shouldn't be done in any area of the body where there may be blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, and healing from a recent surgery.

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Should I be walking with a blood clot in my leg?

Exercising With DVT

Overly strenuous exercise while suffering from DVT can cause complications and negatively affect your health. Exercising with DVT should start light, and build up slowly over time. A common exercise regimen involves going for walks every day and gradually adding more time to each walk.

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Should I move around with a blood clot in my leg?

For most people, walking or taking care of some housework are fine right after you find out you have DVT. It's also OK right after a pulmonary embolism.

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What aggravates blood clots?

Situations in which a blood clot is more likely to form in veins include:
  • Being on long-term bed rest.
  • Sitting for long periods, such as in a plane or car.
  • During and after pregnancy.
  • Taking birth control pills or estrogen hormones (especially in women who smoke)
  • Long-term use of an intravenous catheter.
  • After surgery.

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Should you walk or rest with a blood clot?

Following a DVT, your leg may be swollen, tender, red, or hot to the touch. These symptoms should improve over time, and exercise often helps. Walking and exercise are safe to do, but be sure to listen to your body to avoid overexertion.

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Should you apply heat to a blood clot?

It is possible for DVT to resolve itself, but there is a risk of recurrence. To help reduce the pain and swelling that can occur with DVT, patients are often told to elevate their leg(s), use a heating pad, take walks and wear compression stockings.

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Does a blood clot hurt when you rub it?

People experiencing DVT blood clots will feel increasing levels of pain. The skin around the area will become warm and sensitive to touch. The skin may have a reddened appearance as the body works to get rid of the clot.

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Does blood clot pain go away with massage?

DVT and Massage: Possible Dangers

If you have aching, sore legs, it's natural to think a massage could help relieve those symptoms. And if your soreness is caused solely by muscle fatigue or strain, you could be right. But if those symptoms are caused by a DVT, massage should be avoided.

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Can you use muscle rub while on blood thinners?

Using warfarin with methyl salicylate topical can cause you to bleed more easily. If you receive treatment with warfarin you should avoid or limit self-medication with these products.

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What exercises to avoid on blood thinners?

Regardless, taking a blood thinner puts you at high risk for bleeding. This means any type of accident that creates bleeding—no matter how minimal—may be hazardous. Those individuals taking anticoagulants should avoid high-impact or injury-prone activities, such as hockey, soccer, skiing or football.

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Does moving your legs in bed help prevent blood clots?

If a person isn't moving their legs and contracting their muscles, their blood flow becomes sluggish and this can result in blood clots forming.

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Is stretching bad for blood clots?

As keeping blood moving to all areas of the body helps prevent blood clot formation, simple movements and stretches can help reduce the risk for deep vein thrombosis, allowing for healthy habits during work from home periods.

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What is the best way to break up a blood clot?

Blood-thinning medications are commonly used to prevent blood clots from forming or getting bigger. Thrombolytic medications can break up existing clots. Catheter-directed treatments, such as percutaneous transcatheter treatment, are done by inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin.

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Is bed rest good for blood clots?

Bed rest is sometimes recommended as part of the treatment for an existing DVT, in an effort to prevent a pulmonary embolism. Your chances of getting a DVT depend on many things, including how long you're not able to get up. If you are older or a woman, your risk goes up.

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How do I know if my DVT is moving?

The skin around painful areas or in the arm or leg with the DVT may feel warmer than other skin. Trouble breathing. If this happens, it could mean that the clot has moved from your arm or leg to your lungs.

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Do blood clots feel better with rest?

Does blood clot pain come and go? Unlike the pain from a charley horse that usually goes away after stretching or with rest, the pain from a blood clot does not go away and usually gets worse with time.

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