11/06/2026
Why I Sometimes Refuse Treatment – And Why That’s a Good Thing
One of the most important parts of being a Sports Massage Therapist is knowing when not to treat.
Just because someone is in pain doesn’t always mean massage is the right option. Sometimes treatment can do more harm than good, and client safety must always come first.
Last week, I declined treatment for two clients:
🔹 A semi-professional referee who had taken a cricket ball to the ankle. The area was badly bruised, swollen and still in the acute stage of healing. Massage at this stage could have increased bleeding, swelling and delayed recovery.
🔹 A regular gym-goer who had suffered an allergic reaction to penicillin following an insect bite. With the body already under stress, treatment was not appropriate until the reaction had fully resolved.
Could I have taken payment and carried out the treatments anyway? Yes.
Would it have been the right thing to do? No.
A good therapist doesn’t just know when to treat—they know when not to. Sometimes the best care I can provide is honest advice and the correct next steps.
Your health and recovery will always come before filling my appointment book.
LK Sports Massage Therapy
Treating the right condition, at the right time, for the right reason.
