Massage For Pregnancy: What You Need to Know
Introduction
Pregnancy has a way of wreaking havoc on your body, and massage for pregnancy can help alleviate some aches and pains and not to mention stress associated with pregnancy. You’re growing a tiny human; after all, it’s to be expected that you’ll be uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many ways to aid your body and soothe aches and pains as you go through this incredible time. One of those benefits includes getting a pregnancy massage. Evolve Salon and Spa in Ashburn specializes in massage for pregnancy.
The benefits you reap from a massage for pregnancy are vast — not just for you but for your soon-to-be little one as well. A prenatal massage is beneficial because it helps reduce stress and anxiety, improves blood circulation, relieves tension throughout your muscles, and helps alleviate aches and pains that arise from the weight of your baby or the strain of daily activities. Here’s everything you need to know about getting a massage during pregnancy:
What is a Massage for Pregnancy?
A prenatal massage, also known as a relaxation or pregnancy massage, is the act of massaging certain muscles of the body to ease tension, relieve common aches and pains associated with pregnancy, reduce stress, and help you feel more relaxed throughout your pregnancy.
Relaxation and stress reduction are important health benefits, especially during pregnancy. A pregnancy or prenatal massage is generally performed during the second and third trimesters, though it can be performed during any stage of pregnancy if the massage therapist has the proper training.
A massage for pregnancy is a good option for women who experience a lot of muscle tension stress or those who experience general stressors.
Additionally, those who are anxious about their pregnancy may also benefit from a pregnancy massage. Combining massage with aromatherapy, visualization techniques, or breathing exercises can really help relax those stressed muscles and can help relieve anxiety and ease stress about the pregnancy.
Why Is a Prenatal Massage Important?
Massage for pregnancy has several proven benefits, including relief from pregnancy-associated aches and pains, improved blood flow, thus, oxygenation to the tissues and organs, as well as a reduction of muscle tension and stress levels.
A prenatal massage is a great way to relieve muscle tension by promoting muscle relaxation. It can also help relieve anxiety related to pregnancy and improve blood flow to your uterus.
Many women find that they sleep better when they have a massage during pregnancy. This is especially beneficial during pregnancy, as sleep is an extremely important factor in a healthy pregnancy.
There are several additional benefits to getting a massage during pregnancy, including reducing anxiety, increased blood flow to the uterus, reduced stress levels, decreased symptoms of depression, relieving muscle aches and joint pains, and improved labor outcomes and newborn health.
Risks of Massage for Pregnancy
Massage, especially during pregnancy in Individuals with certain medical conditions, is contraindicated. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
- Bleeding disorders
- Taking blood thinners
- Thrombocytopenia (low platelet level)
- Healing skin (from burns, wounds, or other types of skin breakdown)
- Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Infections
- Osteoporosis (a condition that involves progressive bone thinning)
- Taking certain medications
- Uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Recent surgery or organ transplant
There are also many conditions specific to pregnancy that can make having a massage for pregnancy dangerous. You should consider not getting a pregnancy massage if you have any of them.
These conditions include:
- High-risk pregnancy – Risk factors that make a pregnancy considered high-risk include; bleeding, preterm contractions, and preeclampsia.
- Pre-eclampsia – A serious complication of pregnancy that typically develops around the 20th week of gestation. Pre-eclampsia involves a dangerous increase in blood pressure and protein in the urine, which can cause a stroke or even death.
- Deep Vein Thrombosis – or DVT for short is a blood clot in the deep veins of the extremities, typically in the legs. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and bruising in the extremity. If the DVT is treated and resolved, a person might be able to have a prenatal massage.
- Placenta previa, accrete, or abruption – All three are conditions involving the placenta that lead to severe bleeding.
- Gestational Diabetes Mellitus – Results in elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy.
This last condition is not strictly a contraindication to massage for pregnancy; however, a person will need to get the approval of their doctor and be prepared to check their sugars before taking part in a prenatal massage.
The most important thing to remember about a massage for pregnancy is that it should be relaxing. If you feel like you have to get something done after your massage, then you may not be fully experiencing the benefits of this treatment.
You should always discuss any risks or potential side effects with your massage therapist. While these are generally low, there are some conditions that may be aggravated by massage.
You should also keep in mind that the heavier the tone of your massage, the more relaxing it will be. Massage techniques that are lighter in tone may not be as effective in relieving stress or promoting relaxation.
Be sure to speak with your physician to see if a massage for pregnancy is right for you, as the massaging of certain pressure points may stimulate contractions in pregnancy.
How to Find a massage Therapist Who Can Perform a Prenatal Massage
When looking for a therapist, you’ll want to find one who is certified in prenatal massage. You can also ask your OB/GYN or midwife for referrals.
However, look no further than Evolve Salon and Spa in the One Loudoun complex in Ashburn, Virginia. Evolve offers massage for pregnancy, among other massage techniques that may be beneficial.
Some massage techniques that can be used in place of prenatal massage include Swedish massage, Deep Tissue massage, and Shiatsu massage. So, talk to Chelsea Ballenger, Evolve’s head massage therapist, about what massage technique is best for you and your growing baby.
Chelsea is a licensed massage therapist who offers prenatal massage services.
Even if you may not think you need to incorporate massage for pregnancy into your prenatal care routine, you will soon realize the many benefits it can bring to you and your new one once you begin.
Conclusion
Massage for pregnancy, also known as relaxing, or prenatal massage, can be done by any trained and licensed massage therapist. What makes a Prenatal massage better than the other relaxation technique you could try during pregnancy are the many specific benefits it brings to pregnant individuals.
Prenatal massage is the act of massaging certain muscles of the body to ease tension, relieve common aches and pains associated with pregnancy, and reduce stress. It’s beneficial because it also helps to alleviate aches and pains that arise from the weight of your baby or the strain of daily activities.
When you have a prenatal massage performed by a professional massage therapist who is trained in prenatal massage and is knowledgeable on what to do and when you can really benefit from this therapy.
Book your massage for pregnancy with Chelsea. You will definitely be happy you took the time to include this therapy in your prenatal care regimen.