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Are you suffering from shoulder pain? Or perhaps, you have a sore foot. It feels like your back was carrying someone else over a month ago because it did. When pregnant, you may experience discomfort, and it's almost impossible for them to carry on everyday activities. If pregnant women are sick and tired, you might ask yourself, "Why does prenatal massage provide a good solution?" The very reason is that prenatal massage is an individually styled massage designed in an attempt to relieve pregnancy stress or pain. Therapeutic massage, on the other hand, is usually directed around the area of the womb most vulnerable during pregnancy.

Why pregnancy massage?

Pregnancy massages, also called prenatal massages, are massages performed by hand during pregnancy if required. Different types of massage work similarly to the standard massage but focus on the welfare and happiness of the mother and infant. It usually lasts a few hours and is adaptable to pregnant women according to their needs. You typically rest on your back, although a massager can use a massage table for comfort. The procedure may be done during pregnancy if you inform a doctor about the pregnancy.

If you're pregnant, it's important to avoid deep tissue massage. That's because the blood vessels in your body are more sensitive during pregnancy, and too much pressure on them can cause increased circulation and swelling. While this is not a severe medical issue, it can be uncomfortable and unpleasant.

Instead of deep tissue massage, you must choose prenatal massage therapy sessions. These types of massages are gentle enough not to cause any discomfort. Yet, they still provide many benefits for both mother and baby. With regular prenatal massage therapy sessions, you may experience:

-Reduced back pain

-Better sleep habits

-Increased energy levels

-Lower stress levels

-Improved moods

What is a prenatal massage?

Prenatal massage is tailored to the anatomic changes of pregnancy. A traditional massage may involve a half-hour lie on the stomach or a half-hour lying face-down on your back, but this can be uncomfortable to for those with a pregnant belly. However, as your body shapes or postures change, a trained massage therapist can adjust your body by utilising unique cushioning or holes that enable you to lie face-down and give you room for your growing belly and breasts. Or you could lie on your back using pillows or a pillow.

Pregnancy massage benefits (in detail)

Low back pain/ sciatica

Around half the pregnant women experience backaches or so-called sciatic pain. When pregnant, changing body position affects musculoskeletal function, which is essential for the body's structure. When muscles adapt to new positions, it compresses the sciatic nerve, which leads to pain that radiates from the back of the knee down to the hip. Massage relaxes and relieves pressure from nerves. Besides improving movement and flexibility in surrounding joints and muscles, it is also helpful in improving flexibility.

Pain and discomfort relief

During a woman's pregnancy, the pain mainly reaches the back of the thighs and torso. Often it happens on the legs. A study from 2014 found that massage can help relieve leg and back pain. The treatment can relax muscles that cause the sciatic nerve and relieve pain from pinched nerves and splints. Massage can also be used to reduce headaches and sinus pressure.

Improved sleep

Massage releases endorphins, a natural hormone responsible for feeling well-being and pain reduction. Endorphins help relax your mind and improve the quality of your sleep. Sleep disturbances are commonly reported in the second trimester. Several research studies have shown massage can help improve sleep patterns.

Improve symptoms of anxiety, depression and postpartum depression

Women who enjoyed regular massages during pregnancy did so with a decreased incidence of postpartum depression and anxiety. Research shows reducing depression by two minutes a day from birth. A 2020 study found massages helped pregnant and low-income women overcome painful emotions better.

Upper back pain/ headaches

Changing body posture can create muscle imbalance and cause sudden lower back pain and muscle aches. Headache may result in increased blood pressure and a spike in hormones, which increase blood flow. Massage relieves muscle stress and relieves muscle tension. It stretches strained muscles and relieves tension.

Muscle aches and pains

The muscular forces that hold pregnant women upright start to work hard, causing them to produce toxins that stick each muscle to a wall, causing pain and causing nerve damage. Massage eases this pain by breaking up adhesion and trigger points and pushing circulation in the area.

Reduced swelling

Swelling in the legs can be a common sign of pregnancy. Several studies have found massage reduces swelling caused by fluid build-ups in tissues. A 2010 study shows that a daily 20-minute foot massage can reduce swelling during pregnancy.

Enhanced mental health

Massage is a great way to enhance your mental health and your baby's as well!

If you're an expectant mother, you may feel all sorts of new sensations in your body. You may have noticed that you are more tired than usual and that your muscles are sore more often. You may also be feeling more anxious or stressed out than usual. It is normal, and it's something that many pregnant women experience.

A pregnancy massage eases this anxiety and tension. It is also a great way to bond with your baby! Massage can help you feel more connected to your baby as he grows inside of you, which can help you feel more confident about becoming a mommy.

Reduced risk of premature birth

A professional massage can reduce pregnant women's risk of premature birth and low birth weight.

Premature birth is defined as the birth of a baby before 37 weeks gestation, and it's one of the most common complications during pregnancy. It's estimated that 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely, meaning that about 2 million babies are born prematurely yearly. Premature babies tend to be very small and underdeveloped, which makes them more vulnerable to health issues like brain damage, respiratory problems, and vision issues.

While there are no known ways to prevent premature births, there are things you can do to reduce your risk:

-Maintain a healthy weight throughout your pregnancy (no more than 15 pounds over your ideal weight)

-Avoid smoking during pregnancy

-Take folic acid supplements daily if you're planning on getting pregnant

-Get regular prenatal care beginning at least three months before conception

Can pregnant women get massages?

The definite answer is yes to that question. Prenatal massages are generally safe. However, your doctor should give permission and tell your massage therapists about your condition. In addition, you should avoid a prenatal massage session if you are feeling tired and you're feeling nausea and vomiting.

It has been demonstrated to bring various advantages, including a sense of well-being, enhanced relaxation, and better sleep for pregnant women receiving massage treatment during their pregnancy. However, some methods and trigger points in the body might bring on contractions and early labour, which is why it is essential to seek professional assistance. Massage therapists who wish to specialise in prenatal massage must first earn a specific certification and complete further training in safe massage techniques for expecting mothers.

How often should you get a pregnancy massage?

Prenatal massage is generally considered beneficial for pregnancy, with monthly appointments to around 27 weeks, twice daily visits from approximately 27-36 weeks and weekly visits from 36 weeks until birth.

Prenatal massage is not a replacement for medical care but can help reduce stress and increase relaxation. It also has the potential to improve your blood circulation, relieve back pain and help you sleep better, especially with the use of essential oils. Prenatal massage is not recommended for those with high-risk pregnancies, and it's vital to check with your doctor or midwife before starting a prenatal massage program. It can be safe and beneficial during pregnancy. Still, it's essential to ensure that the practitioner is certified in prenatal massage techniques.

In anyways, it's best to consult your doctor or midwife before making any changes to your prenatal care plan.

Where should you not be massaged when pregnant?

Experts help protect the body from pressure on the pelvis, wrists, hand and ankle. Because pregnancy can cause swollen skin clottings, it's also advisable not to use deep tissue massage on the leg.

Professionals specialising in prenatal massage avoid techniques such as deep tissue massage and applying significant pressure to the legs. Applying extreme force has the potential to break apart a blood clot. Instead, extremely gentle, gradual strokes are used on the legs of a pregnant woman. Your massage therapist should avoid deep-tissue massage, deep acupressure, shiatsu, cross-fibre friction, and percussive tapping, particularly regarding the legs.

If the belly is massaged, doctors recommend that only very mild pressure be applied to the area. In fact, when giving massages, some massage therapists would avoid touching the stomach area.

What is the difference between a pregnancy massage and a regular massage?

Pregnancy and regular massage are both aimed at relaxation, but there are key differences.

A pregnancy massage usually utilises Swedish massage techniques, which are aimed at long, sweeping strokes with little or no force. It is because the pregnant woman's body is already under much stress from the baby growing inside her. Its objective is to encourage relaxation and ease muscle and joint tension.

Regular massages tend to be more intense than pregnancy massages, utilising deeper pressure and more focused movements on specific body areas. This kind of massage is usually to relax, relieve stress, and alleviate pain in certain areas of the body (such as backaches).

A pregnancy massage is a form of bodywork that uses gentle and soothing strokes to relieve stress and discomfort. It's also believed to help prepare the body for childbirth. A typical session includes a full-body relaxation massage, followed by gentle tissue work on the back. It is done in a specific order to ensure that your baby isn't disturbed during treatment.

Final words

The objectives of a prenatal massage are essentially the same as the goals of your regular massage: to help you relax, de-stress, and address any areas of tension or pain so that you leave your session feeling at peace and balance in both your body and mind. In most cases, pregnant women have a few concerns that are not on their typical to-do list but that they would like to address. These can include pain or tension in the lower back and hips caused by the ever-increasing weight they are carrying in front of them. It may also involve problems with digestion and breathing caused by the crowding of organs in the abdominal cavity and issues with the upper back caused, among other things, by the ever-increasing size of the breasts. When you are pregnant, your body will function and move in a very different way than it does when it is in its normal condition. You might also experience swollen joints during pregnancy; a prenatal massage is an excellent way to relieve it.

On the other hand, a massage therapist's therapeutic massage that applies intense pressure is not advisable for pregnant women.

When you are pregnant, it is your responsibility to take care of yourself. You should also care for your unborn baby by eating right, getting enough rest and exercise, and avoiding dangerous substances.

Once you suspect you are pregnant, the best thing to do is to consult a doctor immediately. They can assist in ensuring that both you and your unborn child continue to enjoy good health throughout the duration of your pregnancy. Never ask for any kind of massage without asking permission first from your doctor.

Your health as an expectant mother is more crucial than ever before, and a thorough awareness is needed to ensure your safety and that of your baby. Learn more about women's health by clicking here.

We also offer several at-home testing kits for expectant mothers. To see our Pregnancy Test click here, or to view our Pregnancy Process Test, click here.