January 26, 2010 in Massage Therapy, Wellness, featured by empoweringwellness

The Benefits of Prenatal / Pregnancy Massage

Prenatal / pregnancy massage refers to specific techniques tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women. The goal of the work is similar to traditional massage: stress reduction, reducing aches and pains, improve circulation and provide for overall well-being for both mother and baby.

According to BabyCenter.com, “carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you’re carrying and you’ve got yourself an aching lower back.”

A prenatal or pregnancy massage is conducted a little differently. As the mother’s belly begins to grow it becomes difficult for her to lie on her stomach. And as the pregnancy progresses, the weight of the uterus can put pressure on the vein that returns blood from your leg to your heart. Therefore, most massage therapists will place their clients in a side-lying position. That is the position I prefer, and I use a series of pillows to prop your head and belly to make sure you are comfortable on the table.

According to MassageTherapy101.com, “Massage has been known to calm many of the aches and pains associated with pregnancy such as sciatica, swelling, back and neck pain, and stomach upset. Prenatal massage has also been shown to improve physical discomforts by encouraging circulation and by stretching the muscles and joints to their full range of motion to improve skin elasticity and body tone. Studies show that pregnant women who receive regular prenatal massages are more at ease – furthermore relaxing the fetus inside their womb.”

You should consult with your doctor if you have any questions, but most people agree that prenatal massage, performed by a certified therapist, brings tremendous benefits to both mother and baby.