What does prenatal massage mean?
Our prenatal massage combines many traditional Swedish massage techniques. These techniques are changed to fit the needs and strains of a pregnant woman’s body. During a regular massage, the client may spend most of the time face down on a massage table. During a prenatal massage, the client lies on their side and is comfortable with extra padding and a drape. When massaging a pregnant woman’s body, especially her legs, breasts, and tummy, our Therapist is always cautious. Prenatal massage is a safe, extra way to help with the aches and pains of pregnancy that doctors often recommend.
What kinds of massages are safe for pregnant women?
A pregnant woman’s massage could last up to an hour. As a massage therapist, our job is to put the client at ease in the most comfortable position, whether that is on a massage table or somewhere else.
During the first half of the massage, the therapist learns more about the client’s medical history, current aches and pains, and any restrictions the client’s doctor may have given. During the prenatal massage, it is very important to have clear lines of communication, both verbally and nonverbally. The client’s body language will tell you just as much about how comfortable they are as they say.
The real prenatal massage is like a modified version of a Swedish massage. Some body parts are off-limits because certain pressure points can cause contractions. Pregnant women also have to worry about their legs because the pressure there can break up blood clots in blood pools that can form in the limbs. You could give yourself a light belly massage to help you relax and feel less stressed.
What are some other benefits of prenatal massage?
There is evidence that our prenatal massage can help reduce stress, ease symptoms of depression, loosen stiff muscles and joints, and improve the way the birth goes. Also, prenatal massage improves blood flow, reduces edema, and balances hormone levels.
How to Reduce Stress:
Stress can come from the rise in hormones, morning sickness, swelling, aches, and pains with pregnancy. Massage therapy is an all-around method that calms the body and mind. A woman can deal with the stress of pregnancy by getting a prenatal massage for an hour several times a week.
How to Lessen the Signs of Depression:
Dopamine and serotonin levels are lower in people with depression. Dopamine is a type of neurotransmitter that sends messages between nerve cells, and it can make neurons feel good by giving them a sense of pleasure. When a woman is pregnant and her hormone levels are low, she may feel sad.
Serotonin has been shown to make people feel less stressed out. Serotonin makes it easier for brain and nervous system cells to talk to each other and share positive feelings. Through stimulating the muscles and nerves, prenatal massage raises the levels of hormones like dopamine and serotonin. This lowers the symptoms of depression.
Keeping an eye on hormone levels:
Massage during pregnancy can help keep hormone levels in check, making you feel better and keeping your heart healthy. Norepinephrine and cortisol, stress hormones, go down, while dopamine and serotonin go up. Hormone balance improves labor efficiency.
Getting more blood to flow:
During our prenatal massage, pressure is put on the body to help move fresh blood into and out of the muscles and cells. During pregnancy, lactic acid can build up in the extremities where blood pools. A prenatal massage makes the blood flow faster and eliminates muscle waste by bringing in fresh, oxygenated blood.
Pain in the joints, muscle aches, and swelling have all gone down:
When a woman is pregnant, she may have edema, muscle pains, and joint pains. By moving the body’s soft tissues, prenatal massage helps eliminate fluids that cause joints to swell. This practice removes waste from the muscles and joints, making them feel better. A prenatal massage can help with the aches and pains of pregnancy by improving circulation, reducing headaches, increasing the amount of oxygen in the blood, and making it easier to sleep.
Massages are permissible during pregnancy:
Most people think it’s safe to get a prenatal massage after the first trimester, as long as you get your doctor’s okay and tell your massage therapist that you’re pregnant. On the other hand, you should avoid massage during the first three months of pregnancy because it could make you feel dizzy and worsen your morning sickness.
Contrary to popular belief, no “magical eject button” can accidentally end your pregnancy, and there isn’t much evidence that certain types of massage can help or hurt. There isn’t enough information to say if massage can start labor, but some massage therapists avoid certain pressure points, like the one between the ankle and heel, because they might start contractions. For best massages, visit Ashiatsu Massage London.
