| Can pregnancy massage offer genuine therapeutic | | | | Prenatal massage helps to de-stress. The |
| benefit to the expecting mother? In this article I'll | | | | experience is relaxing, soothing and nurturing, and |
| discuss what is pregnancy massage, how it differs | | | | also offers a break in her routine. This allows both |
| from a 'normal' massage, some of its benefits, | | | | the body and mind to enjoy a respite from the |
| and precautions that should be considered before | | | | daily cycle of dealing with the aches and pains and |
| beginning a pregnancy massage therapy program. | | | | pressures of pregnancy. |
| Pregnancy is a very special time for a mother to | | | | Muscle Relief |
| bond with the child she is carrying and no doubt it | | | | During the pregnancy, the mother will experience |
| will always be remembered as a unique | | | | regular instances of tightening and cramping of |
| experience. It is also however a time of great | | | | muscles, with tension, stiffness and knots being |
| physical change as the mother's body adapts to | | | | present. Massage is well renowned for easing all |
| include the growth of another human inside her. | | | | these muscular conditions in athletes and similar |
| Along with the physical changes come the | | | | results can also be found in pregnancy massage |
| emotional changes and fluctuations as her body | | | | although the technique is obviously modified. |
| undergoes radical physiological modifications. | | | | Pregnancy massage also helps with improving |
| As the pregnancy progresses, the stomach | | | | muscle flexibility, which is vital during childbirth and |
| grows, hormonal production changes, the centre | | | | highly beneficial during the last trimester when |
| of gravity shifts and biomechanical adaptations | | | | physical stresses and changes to the body are |
| follow. Joints suffer under the increased load and | | | | significant. |
| muscles ache with the increased burden. | | | | Swelling Relief |
| Pregnancy massage can greatly alleviate these | | | | A common detriment women experience in |
| distresses and should be considered by all | | | | pregnancy is swelling of the feet, ankles and |
| expectant mothers as the benefits are far and | | | | lower legs, particularly in the more advanced |
| wide. | | | | stages of pregnancy. This is due to pooling of the |
| What is pregnancy massage? | | | | blood as the body deals with the increased weight |
| Pregnancy massage is simply massage during | | | | and workload. Pregnancy massage is proven to |
| pregnancy. It is also commonly referred to as | | | | increase circulation and relieve swelling. |
| prenatal massage. | | | | Precautions |
| It differs from 'normal' massage in several ways.o | | | | If you have any pre-existing health conditions or |
| The pregnancy massage therapist will need to | | | | concerns, they should be discussed with your |
| have specialized knowledge of the pregnant | | | | doctor or pregnancy massage specialist prior to |
| female bodyo The massage is given with extra | | | | commencing a program. Certainly diabetes and |
| care to ensure no harm can be caused to the | | | | high blood pressure should be disclosed. Having a |
| babyo The intensity of the massage is reduced | | | | massage in a lying down position will affect your |
| and great sensitivity is given to the mother's | | | | blood pressure so doing so while pregnant may |
| feedback.o The body position of the expectant | | | | potentially be harmful. |
| mother during the massage is different. Typically | | | | Conclusion |
| the woman is on her side although lying on the | | | | Pregnancy massage offers many benefits, both |
| front or the back is occasionally allowable with | | | | physically and emotionally to the expecting |
| modification to ensure no harm to mother or child. | | | | mother. It will require a specialist who is |
| Stress Relief | | | | experienced in the modified techniques and |
| Pregnancy is often a time of stress, emotionally | | | | methods required to ensure there is no harm to |
| as well as physically. The mother is constantly | | | | either the mother or her unborn child and |
| worrying about issues such as the state of her | | | | maximum therapeutic value can be achieved. |
| unborn child, the act of giving birth, her changing | | | | Apart from the benefits discussed in this article, |
| body, becoming a parent, etc. The last thing she | | | | another major plus for undergoing a program of |
| wants is having to deal with her sore back and | | | | pregnancy massage therapy is that it greatly |
| other aches and pains inherent with being | | | | assists the body in preparation for the act of |
| pregnant. | | | | childbirth and the following recovery. |