Prenatal Massage

Pregnancy massage is a broad term for any hands-on massage during or postnatal massage.

Generally, the therapy of pregnancy massage typically lasts for one hour and some therapists use a pregnancy massage table. This table is designed to accommodate a woman’s pregnant belly. Others practitioners use specially designed pillows known as bolsters to position a woman comfortably on their side. This assists especially during the later stages of pregnancy and also Lying on your side is the most comfortable position.

While there are no definite benefits that have been established, small studies have focused on massage in pregnancy showed multiple positive effects, including:

• Lowered anxiety
• reduced back and leg pain
• Improved sleep
• reduced levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine
• In another study of pregnancy massage in depressed women, researchers found:

-Improve levels of the “feel-good” hormones serotonin 

-Reduced levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress

Overall mood research has shown that, generally, massage has other potential benefits such as relieving pain or boosting the immune system’s ability to fight off viruses and tumors. Massage therapists adapt their techniques to handle the changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. For example, blood volume increases dramatically to up 50 percent during pregnancy. Blood flow to the legs often becomes inactive and the levels of anticoagulants in the blood are designed to prevent hemorrhaging during delivery.

The changes that happen during the pregnancy period, women are at risk of blood clots in the lower legs, typically in the calves or inner thigh. Make sure pregnancy massage therapists avoid deep massage and strong pressure on the legs to be safe. This is because applying strong pressure could dislodge a blood clot. Make sure the experts use very light, slow strokes on the legs. Deep-tissue massage, deep acupressure, shiatsu, cross-fiber friction, and percussive tapping are some of the types of massage to avoid on the legs. It is recommended to apply very light pressure on the abdomen if the belly is massaged at all. This is why some massage therapists avoid massaging the abdomen.

Some doctors hesitate to recommend massage during pregnancy since there is a huge difference in training. Also, there is a lack of certification standards in the area, especially for the specialty of pregnancy massage. Some states have laws requiring certain set minimum training for a massage therapist, whether or not the therapist’s client is pregnant.

Just like any complementary medicine, massage therapy during pregnancy has not been correctly studied with high-quality clinical research methods. One of the important questions is, whether it is safe to have a massage during the first trimester.

A lot of therapists will not give pregnancy massages during the first trimester because of the potential for miscarriage. While some pregnancy massage experts maintain that pregnancy massage does not, in itself, cause miscarriage, there is no research that has been done to show a link between a massage and a miscarriage. This is because a lot of miscarriages happen in the first trimester, this is why therapists or doctors do not recommend first-trimester massage simply to avoid any potential liability issues should a miscarriage occur.

Most massage therapy training programs need at least about 500 hours of education and it may or may not include specific training in pregnancy massage. To continue education classes and workshops that specialize in pregnancy massage differ widely in terms of how much training and hands-on experience is offered.

Search for a massage therapist through one of the Edmonton massage associations. Ask about the therapist’s specific training and experience in pregnancy massage, before your first appointment. Also, a doctor, midwife, or chiropractor may be able to recommend a qualified massage therapist in your area.

Dr. Song Acupuncture And Massage clinic always has experienced and certified massage therapists ready to help you. book online for your massage therapist near you.