massage and pregnancy

Massage Supports the Physical Transformations of Pregnancy

Massage therapy has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress and relieve muscle tension. Massage during pregnancy often receives ambivalent responses from community health and safety at their destination. Modern research and investigations have shown that prenatal massage therapy can be an important ingredient in prenatal care of women and should be given careful consideration.

A distinction must be made between prenatal massage therapy, the latter refers to the practice of manual stretching of the tissue surrounding the birth canal to help reduce the risk of an episiotomy or childbirth-related trauma.

Although most of the training institutes teach massage massage therapy for women who are pregnant, it is best to find a massage therapist who is certified in prenatal massage. APA works with several massage therapists who are trained to work with pregnant women, but it is still important to ask about qualifications.

Studies have shown that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle pain and joint pain, and improve outcomes and newborn health. Massage therapy addresses different needs through different techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage.

Swedish massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through gentle pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is a massage method is recommended during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormonal changes.

Studies done in the last 10 years have shown that hormone levels are associated with relaxation and stress significantly change when massage therapy was introduced to women prenatal care. This leads to mood regulation and improve heart health.

In women who receive massage every two weeks just five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) decreases and increases dopamine and serotonin levels (low levels of this hormone is associated with).

changes in hormone levels also cause fewer complications during birth and fewer cases of neonatal complications such as low birth weight. Strong evidence shows there are health benefits maternal and newborn when massage therapy incorporated into routine prenatal care.

Edema, or joints during pregnancy, often due to reduced circulation and increase the pressure on the major blood vessels of the uterus weight. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissue to reduce swelling in the joint fluid collection. It also increases the waste disposal network carried by the lymphatic system of the body.

experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the rest of the uterus in the pelvic floor muscles and lower back. Pressure from the uterus tension spread to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves.

Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release tension in the muscles nearby. Many women have experienced a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through massage

other potential benefits of prenatal massage :.

As with any therapy approach for women should discuss with their massage prenatal care provider. The best way to address the risk of prenatal massage is to be informed and to work closely with knowledgeable professionals.

Many professionals consider the best position for a pregnant woman during the massage is a side-lying. The table that provides a hole where the uterus can fit may not be reliable and still can apply pressure to the abdomen, or allow the stomach to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the ligaments of the uterus. Consult your massage therapist before your first appointment to verify what position they put their clients in during the massage.

It is important to seek treatment from a certified prenatal massage therapist. certified therapists have received training beyond national standards for massage therapists and know how specific address pregnancy and massage needs.

They are aware of how to secure your position and to prevent tension on the ligaments of the uterus. They can also watch for symptoms of blood clots and varicose veins.

Women who have just experienced bleeding, pre-term contractions, or have the following conditions should talk with a doctor before receiving a massage:

A woman can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy - during, or. Many facilities will reject the offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because of the increased risk to get in touch with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

The benefits of massage can improve overall prenatal health for many pregnant women. Along with guidance and advice from providers of prenatal care, massage therapy can be incorporated into routine prenatal care as emotional and physical health supplement proven to improve pregnancy outcomes and maternal health. Consult with your midwife or obstetrician before starting a new therapy practice

More help articles :.

Compiled using information from the following sources:

1. Field, T. (1999). Pregnant Women Benefit From Massage Therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mar, 20 (1) :. 31-8

2. Field, T. (2004). Massage Therapy Effects on Depressed Pregnant Women. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, June, 25 (2) :. 115-22

3. Howell, Julie, NMT, PMT, Prenatal Health Through Massage Therapy :. For women and their babies

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