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Prenatal massage

Pregnancy is one of the most wonderful and difficult experiences a woman can go through.

All the rapid changes of these nine months require special attention. I use a variety of techniques to relieve aches and pains while ensuring baby’s safety and rest.

Massage therapy during pregnancy is a highly beneficial choice. It helps reduce stress and alleviate common pregnancy-related discomforts, such as lower back pain, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and swelling.
In addition, massage for pregnant women reduces strain on weight-bearing joints, promotes blood and lymphatic circulation, helps relax nervous tension (which promotes better sleep) and can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes.

DURING THE PRE-NATAL MASSAGE
During your massage, you’ll be comfortably seated in a lateral position, on soft, supportive cushions, to relieve pressure on the lower back and pelvis as massage techniques are applied.

RELIEF OF DAILY SYMPTOMS
Massage for pregnant women offers many benefits:

  • headaches can be relieved by massaging the head, neck and shoulders. In addition, maintaining an optimal level of stress relief through massage reduces the risk of migraines or headaches, tension by relaxing trigger points and muscle spasms;
  • muscular tension created by the extra weight of a baby can be relieved by stimulating blood flow to the affected areas. This brings in more nutrient-rich oxygen and increases lymphatic circulation, which eliminates toxins and metabolic waste;
  • Fatigue, backache, leg cramps and swelling/edema can all be relieved by different types of massage for pregnant women;
  • common pregnancy aches and pains are alleviated by the release of serotonin, the body’s natural painkiller, stimulated by massage.

While a massage doesn’t guarantee your newborn will sleep through the night, it can help you sleep better during and after pregnancy. Regular massage therapy not only helps reduce anxiety and discomfort, but also promotes relaxation. This can ultimately improve sleep habits.

What’s more, the serotonin, endorphins and dopamine released by your body in response to the massage provide an additional supply of these natural chemicals. “Massage is very effective in promoting deep sleep,” explains Dr. Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute.

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