By Mei Han, massage therapist in Dubai Updated 10 October 2026
Usually not. If you have a fever, the flu, a heavy cold, a stomach bug or anything contagious, skip the massage and rebook — it adds demand while your body is fighting something off, and it isn’t fair on your therapist. My rule of thumb: book again once you’ve had a full day with no fever (without paracetamol masking it) and feel like yourself.
This page is about short-term illness — the cold, flu or bug you’ll be over in days. For an ongoing condition or a recent injury, check with your doctor or physiotherapist before booking, and mention it when you message me. I’m Mei, an independent female massage therapist in Dubai, and I’d always rather you rested than pushed through a session feeling rough.
When you should skip the massage
Fever, flu and contagious illness
If you have a fever, the flu, or a heavy, streaming cold, please wait. A raised temperature is your body telling you it needs rest, and a massage adds demand rather than giving you that rest. You’re also likely to be contagious, which isn’t fair on me or, during a home visit, on the people you live with. None of that helps you feel better, and it’s easily solved by rebooking.
If someone at home offers a gentle oil rub — a malish — while you have a temperature, that’s a comfort and nothing more: it won’t bring a fever down. Rest, fluids and, if the fever is high or lingers, your doctor do that. A full massage still waits until the fever has gone.
An upset stomach or feeling faint
A stomach bug, nausea, dizziness or feeling generally faint are all good reasons to stay home and rest. Lying face-down and being handled is the last thing an unsettled tummy wants, and getting up afterwards can make light-headedness worse. Wait until it has passed and you feel steady on your feet again.
When a gentle massage might still be fine
Not every sniffle means cancelling. If you’re at the tail end of a cold — no fever, feeling almost normal, just a slightly blocked nose — a gentle session is often fine, and lying comfortably can feel soothing. The same goes for a simple tension headache with no illness behind it.
The honest rule is: if in doubt, wait, and if you’re unsure whether a symptom counts, ask your doctor. You can also just message me on WhatsApp and describe how you’re feeling — I’ll give you a straight answer about whether to come now or rebook, with no pressure to keep the slot.
Why rescheduling is the considerate thing to do
Moving your appointment when you’re ill isn’t a nuisance — it’s the sensible, considerate choice, and I genuinely appreciate it. It protects your recovery, keeps me well so I can look after all my clients, and means that when we do meet, you’ll actually enjoy it rather than gritting your way through. A massage is meant to be a treat, and it lands so much better when your body isn’t distracted by fighting a bug — the same session will do far more for you next week.
How to rebook — no penalty, no deposit
This is the easy part. I don’t take deposits and I don’t charge cancellation fees, so if you wake up feeling unwell, there’s no money on the line and no complicated policy to navigate. You simply send me a message, and we find a new time that suits you — often the same week, and frequently same-day once you’re better. The same applies if you’d planned a home visit and someone else in your household is ill.
Nothing else changes when you rebook: every session is by appointment, strictly professional, with proper draping throughout. You can see all the treatments waiting for you whenever you’re ready, and check timings and prices on my pricing page.
What counts as “too unwell” — and what doesn’t
It helps to sort symptoms into three groups:
- Please reschedule: fever, flu, a heavy or streaming cold, a chest infection, a stomach bug, vomiting, dizziness, or anything contagious like conjunctivitis or a skin infection.
- Best to wait, but use your judgement: the tail end of a cold with a lingering blocked nose but no fever and no aches — often fine, though a day or two more rest never hurts.
- Usually fine: a simple tension headache, hay fever or mild seasonal allergies, or feeling a bit tired and run-down without actually being ill.
If you’re not sure which group you’re in, the safe default is to wait and ask. A quick message describing your symptoms is all it takes for me to give you an honest steer.
What about a headache, period, or hangover?
None of these counts as being “sick”, so a massage is usually absolutely fine. A tension headache often eases with gentle neck and shoulder work. A relaxing massage during your period is fine too — I’ve covered that in massage on your period — just let me know so I can adjust position and pressure. A hangover is trickier: if you mainly feel tired and tense, a gentle session can feel restorative, but if you’re nauseous, dizzy or badly dehydrated, you’ll enjoy it far more once that has passed. Drink plenty of water either way.
Can massage help once you’re better?
When you’re properly over an illness, a gentle massage can be a lovely way to feel like yourself again — easing the stiffness of days spent in bed and helping you unwind. I’d be honest, though: massage doesn’t fight off infections or shorten a cold, and it isn’t a treatment for illness. It’s simply a comforting reset once your body has done the hard work of recovering. Start gently, with a relaxation-focused session, rather than deep, intense work on your first day back. I’d book 60 minutes for that first session; you can go longer next time once you know how your body is coping.
If you recently had an injection, the guide to massage after vaccination separates a sore injection site from feeling unwell and explains how to rearrange the appointment.
Take care first, massage later
Look after yourself first. Rest, plenty of fluids, and time are what a cold or flu really needs, and your massage will still be here — a proper reward once you’re back to full strength. I work daily from 10:00 to 23:00, so there’s rarely any downside to waiting a few more days.
When you’ve recovered and you’re ready to book, send me a WhatsApp and we’ll get you in. Feel better soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a massage when you have a cold or flu?
It's best to wait. With a heavy cold or the flu you're contagious, and a massage can leave you feeling more drained while your body is busy fighting the infection. Rest, keep your fluids up, and rebook once you're properly over it. There's no deposit and no penalty for moving your appointment — just send me a WhatsApp and we'll find a new time.
Is it bad to get a massage when sick?
During a fever or an active infection, yes — it's better to wait. Your body is already working hard to recover, and massage isn't the rest it needs. It also isn't fair to pass something on to your therapist or, on a home visit, to others at home. Once you feel back to yourself, a massage is a lovely way to ease back in.
Can I get a massage with a fever?
No — please wait until the fever has gone and you feel well again. A fever is a clear sign your body needs rest, not bodywork. If your temperature is high, lasts more than a day or two, or comes with other symptoms that worry you, see your doctor. We can always reschedule the moment you're back on your feet.
How long should I wait after being sick to get a massage?
As a rough guide, wait until your symptoms have cleared and you feel genuinely back to normal — often a day or two after the last of it. There's no rush, and no set rule. If you've been seriously unwell or had a chest infection, check with your doctor first. Then message me and we'll book you in.
Do I lose my deposit if I reschedule because I'm ill?
There's no deposit to lose — I never take one. If you're unwell, just let me know and we'll move your appointment with no penalty and no awkwardness. I'd far rather you rested and rebooked than pushed through feeling rough. Home visits are AED 400 an hour and studio sessions AED 300 an hour whenever you're ready.