Pregnancy Massage Therapy
Pregnancy massage therapy is the massage of pregnant women (prenatal) and women after giving birth (postpartum). It address the special needs of pregnant women such as swollen/painful hands and feet, stress on weight bearing joints, preparation of muscles and cardio system for labor & delivery, scar tissue, exhaustion, and emotional changes. Discomforts in the lower back, feet, and legs. Positioning of the client is also modified as the pregnancy progresses and the abdomen enlarges.
This form of massage usually consists mainly of Swedish Massage techniques that are modified slightly to take into account the common aches and pains of pregnancy. Swedish massage may include generalized relaxation, dissolution of scar tissue adhesions, and improved circulation, which may speed healing and reduce swelling from giving birth.
Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy
- Relieves muscle spasms, cramps associated with the stress of extra weight bearing and physical changes that occur during pregnancy.
- Reduces stress and teaches the mother to relax. Relaxation is one of the keys to labor and delivery.
- Gestation processed enhanced through increasing blood circulation, lymph circulation, reducing edema, increasing cellular respiration.
- Provides emotional support and physical nurturing; this may be passed on to the baby
- Assists in reducing the stress in the weight bearing joints and musculoskeletal structures.
- Helps maximize breathing capacity which is needed during labor and delivery.
