26/08/2025
🔴 Red Flags vs ❌ Contraindications
Do You Know the Difference?
As a soft tissue therapist, one of your most important responsibilities is knowing when not to treat but this isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.
👉 Red Flags
These are serious warning signs that something may be medically urgent. They usually indicate that treatment is not appropriate at all, and the client should be referred to a medical professional.
Examples:
Unexplained weight loss
Severe, unrelenting night pain
Sudden neurological symptoms (numbness, weakness, loss of bladder/bowel control)
👉 Contraindications
These are conditions or situations where treatment could make things worse if not adapted. Unlike red flags, some contraindications may simply mean you need to modify your approach, avoid certain areas, or wait until the condition has resolved.
Examples:
Absolute contraindication: contagious skin infection (no treatment at all)
Local/relative contraindication: recent bruising, varicose veins (treatment can continue, with modifications)
Here’s where it feels ambiguous:
Some red flags can also be considered contraindications but the difference lies in urgency and scope of action.
Red flags = stop and refer immediately (client safety first).
Contraindications = adapt, modify, or defer treatment depending on the situation.
At Level 4 Soft Tissue Therapy Diploma, we train therapists not only to spot these signs but also to confidently decide:
When to adapt treatment
When to stop altogether
When to refer on
This clinical reasoning is what makes a therapist safe, evidence-based, and trusted.
📚 Want to build confidence in making these decisions? Our Level 4 Diploma gives you the knowledge, assessment skills, and clinical reasoning to practice at a professional standard.
