Pregnancy Massage Benefits
Pregnancy provides unique emotional and physical alterations in women that is a result of increasing weight, shifting centre of gravity, changing posture and gait and also the huge hormonal adjustments. Consequently mums-to-be can face a whole raft of physical conditions for example back pain, sciatic discomfort, headaches, carpal tunnel, swollen legs and ankles. When coupled with changing hormonal levels, nausea and emotional stress then attention is needed.
Prenatal massage from the qualified and experienced masseuse aims to ease some of these and other pregnancy-related conditions.
Advantages of Pregnancy Massage
Massage is recognized as to have many health benefits including stimulating blood flow and the lymphatic system, improving flexibility to muscles and improving the mobility of joints. As pregnancy progresses, then the body adjusts to a changing centre of gravity caused by the newborn’s increasing weight. The modification in posture puts increased stress on the legs, hips and back. Massage raises the flexibility and functionality of the muscles, that helps the girl to carry the extra weight along with a few of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy.
The claimed benefits of pregnancy include:
- reduced stress through relaxation and pain alleviation
- maintenance/awareness of excellent posture
- relief of muscular tension and spasms (in particular in the hips, legs, neck and back)
- decrease in force on weight-bearing joints.
- assistance hurting relief for any sciatic pain that frequently arises while pregnant
- reduced oedema in feet and hands
- medication free headache relief
- improved energy levels and reduced fatigue
Even just making time for oneself during pregnancy could be emotionally rewarding, particularly if there’s emotional support with the nurturing touch of the therapist.
Studies in the Touch Research Institute have established that pregnancy massage provides more than just physical relief for the mum-to-be. Several pregnant women were supplied with either massage or relaxation therapy during a five-week study. They discovered that massage group had fewer complications during labour and delivery. Additionally, they also were built with a decrease in stress, improved sleep quality and fewer lower back pain compared to relaxation therapy group.
Massage Cautions
Massage is generally safe during pregnancy for many women. If however the women is experiencing any of the following conditions or symptoms then massage is contraindicated.
- any relieve blood or water
- contagious illness/fever/vomiting
- pre-eclampsia
- hypertension
- abdominal pain
- blood clotting disorders
This list isn’t considered to be complete. For those who have any concerns about using a massage during pregnancy then you should speak to your health care professional. Indeed some massage therapists won’t perform pregnancy massage without the approval of their doctor and others won’t massage during the first trimester.
When choosing your prenatal massage therapist then please ensure that they’re suitably trained and experienced. Must be therapists offers pregnancy massage in their brochure or website does not mean that they have the required training and skills. Some therapists use pregnancy massage tables that have an opening for the belly, however, these are generally not recommended by experienced prenatal massage therapists as the insufficient support causes additional muscle strain on the belly and stress on the lower back
You should provide all relevant details about your problem towards the therapist during pre-massage discussion. The massage therapist may then adjust your pregnancy massage to create the rewarding and relieving experience you deserve.