Massage therapy is known to relax the mind and body, which is extremely beneficial for pregnant women. A prenatal massage is adapted to address your anatomical changes that occur during pregnancy. For example, during a traditional massage you typically spend time lying facedown on your stomach and lying on your back. During a prenatal massage, you most likely will lie on your side for safety and comfort as your massage therapist uses special cushions or pillows for support.
What Are the Benefits of Prenatal Massage?
Therapeutic massage is proven to provide many health benefits and the same is true for expecting mothers. According to the American Pregnancy Association, prenatal massage therapy helps to reduce muscle aches and joint pain and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, which is all true even if you are not expecting. These benefits particularly help pregnant women, however, who often experience insomnia and new aches and pains due to stretching and swelling.
Prenatal massage delivers many benefits unique to pregnant women such as hormone regulation, reduction in swelling, reducing nerve pain and improving sleep.
Hormone regulation - massage therapy is proven to reduce hormones associated with stress such as cortisol and norepinephrine and increase hormones such as serotonin and dopamine which in low levels is associated with depression.
Reduction in swelling - women often experience edema, or swelling of the joints, which is caused by increased pressure on major blood vessels and reduced circulation. Prenatal massage helps to stimulate soft tissues which reduces fluid collecting in swollen joints, and also helps the body’s lymphatic system to remove tissue waste.
Reduction in nerve pain - many women experience sciatic nerve pain late in pregnancy as the uterus puts increased pressure on the lower back and muscles of the pelvic floor. Prenatal massage helps to release tension on nearby muscles which helps to reduce inflammation in sciatic nerve pain.
Improvement in sleep - many expecting women experience difficulty in sleeping with increased physical discomfort as well as stress and anxiety. Prenatal massage helps to improve sleep for pregnant women suffering with insomnia.
Prenatal massage provides these benefits and many others for pregnant women, when performed by an experienced prenatal massage therapist and with your doctor’s approval.
Are There Safety Precautions with Prenatal Massage?
Pregnant women should discuss prenatal massage with their prenatal care provider along with any therapeutic approach to pregnancy wellness. Many doctors recommend waiting until after the first trimester, and to use extra caution if you have any complications or a high-risk pregnancy. You will want to speak to your doctor if you have a clotting disorder or experience blood clots, are at an increased risk of preterm labor, or have any problems with your placenta such as placenta previa, a condition where the placenta covers the mother’s cervix which may cause bleeding during pregnancy and delivery.
Prenatal Massage Therapists in The Woodlands
You should always ask for a massage therapist experienced in prenatal massage therapy and be sure to check with your medical practitioner prior to scheduling your prenatal massage.
The experienced massage therapists at the Woodhouse Day Spa in The Woodlands, TX, specialize in various types of massage therapies, including prenatal massage. Schedule the Mellow Mama full-body nurturing massage for yourself or the special mom-to-be in your life, with special focus on prenatal techniques that help alleviate puffy, swollen hands and feet, exhaustion, and lower back pain.
The Woodhouse Day Spa in The Woodlands offers a chance to relax, rejuvenate and renew with massage body treatments, organic facials, and pedicures. Make your reservation for your transformative experience from head to toe. Contact us to learn more and schedule your prenatal massage today.
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