PRENATAL MASSAGE TREATMENT

Prenatal massage is not much different from massage for someone not pregnant except for the care taken not to harm the fetus. Pregnancy massage should be done by a certified massage therapist who has had training in prenatal massage.

If you have an uncomplicated pregnancy, especially if you have delivered without issue before, prenatal massage should not be a problem and may help benefit your overall health.Who Benefits From Prenatal MassageThis type of massage benefits women who are looking for a relief of muscle tension, a reduction of stress, and an improvement of their overall wellbeing. It is an important feature that can give the baby a less stressful environment to begin its life.Who Should Not Use Prenatal MassageWomen who have been diagnosed with preeclampsia or pregnancy induced hypertension should talk to their doctor prior to getting any massage treatment. Those who are in a high risk pregnancy or have had a previous pre-term labor should also take care.

Those who have swelling, severe headaches, or high blood pressure may be told by their doctor to bypass prenatal massage therapies.

Specific Prenatal Massage Benefits: This type of massage helps with swelling, nerve pain, and the regulation of hormones. According to the American Pregnancy Association, it may also help with back pain, circulation, joint pain, edema, stress, anxiety, headaches, muscle tension, sleep disturbances, and with bringing oxygen into tissues and muscles.

Reduced Swelling Benefits: There can be joint swelling, or edema, in pregnancy. This may cause pressure and a decrease of circulation. Massage during pregnancy can help work soft tissue which can release fluid in the joints. This removes waste from the tissues as well as reduces joint swelling.Nerve Pain BenefitsIn late pregnancy, there can be sciatic nerve pain. With massage, there is a release of muscle tension that can help inflamed nerves.

Many women have reported to have less nerve pain when they are given regular massages.Hormonal BenefitsThere has been research that proclaims one of the effects of a prenatal massage is the altering of mood and the improvement of cardiovascular health when given bi-weekly massages for five weeks. It reduces cortisol and norepinephrine while increasing serotonin and dopamine.