Prenatal Massage
A soothing Prenatal Massage can help alleviate the aches and pains of pregnancy and leave both the mind and the body feeling better. The extra weight and posture changes can cause a whole new set of aches and pains. A woman who is pregnant should wait until after completing the first trimester and obtain permission from her primary care physician before having prenatal massages. Tell your in-home massage therapist where you are in the pregnancy as they may avoid some pressure points and make other adjustments to your treatment.
Prenatal massages are different from other types of massages because they have been adapted to the changing body of the pregnant woman. The best massage therapists will use special cushioning systems with holes for the growing belly and breasts when a woman lies face down on the table. There may also be a collection of pillows to allow the woman to lay on her side comfortably with support. Prenatal Massage Techniques Not all forms of massage are safe for pregnant women, but the Prenatal Massage allows expecting mothers to reduce stress, muscle tension, and body aches throughout their pregnancy. It uses techniques similar to Swedish Massage but typically focuses on the hips, legs, and lower back. Women receiving this kind of specialized treatment typically lie stretched out on their sides instead of their stomachs, although specialized tables with cutouts to accommodate clients’ growing babies are also available in some cases. After the fourth month of pregnancy, women should not lie on their backs during the therapy because the weight of the baby can compress blood vessels reducing blood circulation to the placenta and causing problems. The Prenatal Massage will not include deep tissue work on the pregnant woman’s legs because of the danger of blood clots. But there will be gentle pressure that is safe. Other parts of the body can have firm pressure safely as long as it is not painful. Communication about what feels good and what is uncomfortable is important with this massage therapy. |
|
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
There are some nice benefits to be had from Prenatal Massage, such as a reduction of stress hormones, the relaxation and loosening of muscles, increased blood flow, flushing of toxins from the body, and making the lymphatic system work more efficiently.
In addition, regular careful treatments can help the pregnant woman relax, sleep better, and reduce neck, back, and joint pain. It can reduce leg cramping and painful sciatica. Some pregnant women find that prenatal massages help them alleviate sinus congestion and headaches and cut down on swelling of the hands and feet.
There are some nice benefits to be had from Prenatal Massage, such as a reduction of stress hormones, the relaxation and loosening of muscles, increased blood flow, flushing of toxins from the body, and making the lymphatic system work more efficiently.
In addition, regular careful treatments can help the pregnant woman relax, sleep better, and reduce neck, back, and joint pain. It can reduce leg cramping and painful sciatica. Some pregnant women find that prenatal massages help them alleviate sinus congestion and headaches and cut down on swelling of the hands and feet.
