01
What it means in medicine
MedlinePlus defines a contraindication and explains the difference between a relative one and an absolute one, with examples.
In plain terms, it is something about a person that makes a particular approach a bad idea for them. The same approach may be fine for someone else.
02
What it means here
Some kinds of work are not suitable for some people. For example, Cleveland Clinic lists who is advised to avoid holotropic breathwork, and people with heart conditions are on that list. Each guide on this site has a section called "Who it may not suit", quoted from medical or government sources wherever they exist:
03
What Project Gina does and doesn't do
Project Gina checks practitioners' credentials at the source and publishes what it found, with the date. It does not screen you, and it doesn't decide which practitioner or kind of work suits you. That choice is yours.
04
What you can do
Before you book, tell the practitioner everything that might matter: a health condition, pregnancy, medication, something that went badly before. It is better to mention a thing that turns out not to matter than to leave out one that does. It is also fair to ask a practitioner, before anything physical, what they need to know about your health. One who doesn't ask is worth noticing.
05
What this is not
It is not a medical screening. Project Gina is not medical care. If you have a health condition, ask your doctor whether a given practice is safe for you, whatever anyone else says.
06
Who this matters most to
Anyone with a health condition, anyone who is pregnant, and anyone under the care of a clinician for their mental health. For those readers, the doctor comes first.
If you are in crisis, licensed mental-health care is the right door. If tonight is an emergency, call or text 988 (US). This library is not that door.