Massages, in general, can be highly beneficial to the physical and mental health of spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors. However, in addition to studies that show the positive benefits of massage, there also are studies that show the potential risk posed by massage for individuals with certain conditions. Among the differences between a general massage for relaxation and a deep tissue massage is the amount of force or pressure applied to the body. According to LiveStrong, deep tissue massage can result in increased pain and contusions (bruising), blood clots, and nerve damage. SCI survivors often already face issues with nerve damage and are at increased risk of blood clots, so anyone with an SCI should have a candid discussion with their doctor before getting a deep tissue massage.