PRENATAL MASSAGE THERAPY: Relieve your new and unique aches and pains

If you’ve had a professional massage in the past, you know the benefits!  As such, both your body and your mind felt better afterwards, right?  Well, the same goes for prenatal massage. As you’ll see, it feels even better since the extra weight and changes in posture from your pregnancy cause new and unique aches and pains.

Generally considered safe after the first trimester, your prenatal massage will provide great benefits, as long as your practitioner gives you the green light.  The only warning I provide, is to avoid having a massage during the first three months of pregnancy.  This is because it may trigger dizziness and increase morning sickness.

Research shows prenatal massage therapy can help reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health. Prenatal massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage.

Swedish Massage is the recommended massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts.

A distinction should be made between therapeutic prenatal massage and perineal massage, the latter referring to the practice of manually stretching the tissues surrounding the birth canal to help reduce the risk of episiotomy or trauma associated with childbirth.

Despite the myths you may have heard, massages will not accidentally disrupt your pregnancy.  The scientific evidence shows that there are no specific types of massage that can have any effect on your pregnancy.

The prenatal massages that I provide are adapted to your specific anatomical changes that you experience throughout your pregnancy.  In a traditional massage, you spend about half the time lying face-down on your stomach.  Of course, this is not possible when you’re pregnant.  Then, you spend about half the time facing up.  When pregnant, this is a position that puts pressure on a major blood vessel that can disrupt blood flow to your baby and leave you feeling nauseous.  When you receive a prenatal massage from me, you will be in good hands indeed.

There are many formal massage-therapy techniques used based on the physical issues they resolve. The most common massage-therapy technique is called Swedish or Classical massage, which is the core of most massage training programs.  Other types of massage include:

• Clinical massage to relieve muscle spasms
• Eastern massage techniques that work with the flow of energy through your body
• Sports massage to relieve sports-related injuries

Simply a collection of massage techniques, Eastern Massage is from various Asian countries.  To explain, they are usually grouped together. But, they are all quite unique – they vary greatly.

Examples of Eastern massage include Amma and Tuina (Chinese), Shiatsu (Japanese), Nuad Bo Rarn (Thailand), Marma/Varma Adi (India), and Lomi Lomi (Hawaii/Pacific Island). Due to the differences, it wouldn’t be accurate to place them all under one “Asian” umbrella.

The most important factor to consider when finding a massage therapist is their skill level and experience.  As such, check their credentials and read their reviews.  Then, start small.  Schedule a basic massage to experience their work and their personality for yourself.  If they have what it takes, and you enjoy their work, have a discussion with your new massage therapist about your best options going forward.

If you’re craving some extra time with your partner or friend, Couples Massage is the perfect solution for you massage therapy. So again, schedule a Couples Massage today. You and your partner will be glad you did.

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