donating blood... massage

[ZLD]

I am not sure if I asked this before, and if I did, I can't find anything on it.

Is it ok to get a massage after donating blood? How much time after donation is it ok to get a massage?

Thanks!

 

[gammy]

I had a table at a health fair recently, where there was also blood donation going on. I suggested that if people were going to get a massage AND give blood, that they should get the massage first, to lessen the effect of being lightheaded after the massage. One of my former teachers confirmed my thinking (though we couldn't find any documentation to support it).

Sorry, this doesn't really answer your question :? -- I'll be interested if anybody has anything more specific on this!

 

[parkcaitlan]

I would not massage anyone after they gave blood. It is too much of a risk of their blood pressure being lower than an acceptable level, then adding orthostatic changes which cause the dizzyness after giving blood and after getting a massage. I rarely see them take someones blood pressure after they give blood or to check to see if they are ok. I do not know what the waiting period should be, but I would definitely wait.

 

[joey l]

Anyone know where I can get some hard data about this? I googled with no luck, last resort is to call the Red Cross maybe?

The office I do massage at does blood drives and when I suggested that no one get massage after donating, they wanted to know why. My only reply was about blood pressure but they said many feel fine after donating and have gotten massage after in the past.

 

[Knowledge]

This webpage may have some info on it that will be helpful. Not specifically massage, but it does have a good amount of information about a lot of after-care questions. Here's just a small blurb from the info pertaining to athletes-

He advises endurance athletes to think of the blood donation day as a rest day, and to tread cautiously the next day because hydration stores may not be replenished and delayed vasovagal effects may occur. Christie says though the performance decrement would be slight in an endurance athlete, blood donation should have virtually no effect on strength or short-burst activities."

You can read the whole article:


Donating Blood
What Active People Need to Know
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/2001/06_01/news.htm

Other items of interest:

• Why do some people faint when they give blood?
  
  What can I do to prevent fainting after giving blood?
  
  Can athletes donate blood?
  
  Can scuba divers donate blood?
  
  What precautions should I take after donating blood?

 

[Pompal 09.]

I am reminded of this scenero again because I came into the company I work at and see they are donating.

There was a client who at last donation got a massage and felt like crap for days. I then suggested she not schedule massage on the same day as donating.

Anyone come across any data about this since I last posted regarding this??

Thanks!