Is Massage Safe During Pregnancy? Things You Should Know

Author: Abhishek Shankhwar – Health and Wellness Writer

Whether it’s your hips screaming in pain after a hard day on your feet, your back throbbing so that it supports your expanding bulge or your swollen feet, a massage sounds just divine.

Perhaps your lover has noticed how much you are in pain and has given you a massage. But, like with most things in pregnancy, you may be questioning if having one is safe. Here’s what you should bear in mind.

What is Prenatal or Pregnancy Massage?

Pregnancy massage refers to any sort of hands-on massage administered during or after pregnancy (prenatal or postnatal massage). This is a type of massage which is curated to effectively address lower back and hip pain, tensions in the neck, leg cramps, and overall fatigue during or after the pregnancy.

A prenatal massage usually lasts one hour. Certain practitioners utilize a prenatal massage table. That’s a table made to fit a pregnant woman’s tummy. Others use bolsters, which are specifically constructed cushions, to place a lady comfortably on her side. This is especially beneficial in the later stages of pregnancy. Often, lying on your side is the most comfortable posture.

Benefits of Prenatal Massage

Reflexology treatment has been demonstrated to offer several advantages during pregnancy, including a sense of well-being, increased relaxation, and better sleep. However, because some techniques and trigger points in the body might produce contractions and early labour, seeking expert assistance is crucial.

Several studies have shown that massage help lower stress hormone (cortisol) in the body as well as relax and loosen muscles. It can help improve blood flow, which is critical during pregnancy, and keep your lymphatic system running smoothly.

And it reconnects your mind with your body, which is reassuring if you ever question if you have a kid inside you or if an extra-terrestrial has taken up home inside of you.

Prenatal massage is a specialist qualification, and require a clinical massage therapist who perform it with extra care, trained in safe pregnancy procedures.

Regular prenatal massages may not only help you relax during your pregnancy, but they may also relieve:

Insomnia
Joint discomfort
Back and neck discomfort
Leg cramps
Sciatica
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Sinus congestion and headaches

Massage has been proven in studies to have additional potential advantages for the general public. Evidences show it may also help alleviate pain or improve the immune system’s ability to combat infections and cancers.

Precaution From Certain Areas

Despite the popular misbeliefs, there is no magic eject button that can unintentionally ruin your pregnancy.

Some massage therapists avoid particular pressure sites, such as the one between the anklebone and heel, for fear of triggering contractions, although the research on whether massage may truly start labour is equivocal (to non-existent).

1. Your stomach:

You should usually avoid having your developing belly and the region around it massaged since this might harm you or the baby.

2. Your thighs:

It’s all right to softly touch or brush your legs, but make sure your partner doesn’t apply too much deep tissue pressure. Because your blood volume rises during pregnancy, blood flow in your legs may decrease, making you more prone to clots.

3. Points of tension:

As previously mentioned, in reflexology, pressure points in certain areas of your body, such as your wrist, ankle, or between your fingers, are supposed to generate contractions.

Prenatal Massage Techniques That Are Safe:

In the United States, about 1,300 massage therapy institutions teach more than 80 different styles of massage. The following are some examples of frequent styles of massage:

Deep-tissue massage entails using forceful strokes to press deeply into muscles.
Swedish massage, with long strokes to the muscles and emphasis on joint mobility
Shiatsu is a type of massage that uses pressure and tapping on acupressure points to stimulate the body’s inherent energy (called qi, or chi)

Conclusion

It is indeed usually safe to have a massage while pregnant, whether from your spouse or a professional. Just make sure you talk to your doctor before getting one.

You should also avoid reclining on your back or stomach during the massage, and you should generally choose a softer touch. Also, if it begins to hurt, ask your partner or massage therapist to stop.