Pregnancy/Prenatal Massage Information and Benefits

A short while after becoming a Licensed Massage Therapist, I decided that I wanted to delve deeper and have a specialty. I chose pregnant woman and children. What better way to assist in the beginning of a life!

Whether it is me, or another therapist, I urge you to look for someone who is specifically certified in Prenatal Massage.

Training in one or two subjects beyond the license gives such a full and profound understanding of that particular practice or modality. My prenatal course educated me in a variety of topics that were much more well-defined than the average courses given to receive a license as a massage therapist.


Supine Position

One simple instruction was that both a side-lying position and a modified supine position were the safest and most comfortable for moms-to-be. Not just side lying as usually taught, not just on one side as sometimes taught, and certainly not specialty tables or equipment designed for allowing the woman to lie on her stomach. The latter for several reasons: unless it is perfectly molded to a specific body, it will cause strain on uterine ligaments, it is difficult to get in and out of in the final trimester, and makes no provision for a modified supine position (necessary to keep the weight of the uterus off the vena cava).

Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

  • Relieves muscle spasms, cramps, aches & pains; and myofascial pain
  • Decreases anxiety and stress
  • Reduces obstetric and postnatal complications
  • Lowers prematurity rates
  • Safe and drug-free
  • Reduces swelling
  • Eases pressure on the sciatic nerve
  • Improves sleep patterns.
    Assists blood circulation, lymph circulation, reducing edema, increasing cellular respiration
  • Helps maximize breathing capacity
  • Reduces constipation, gas, and heartburn
  • Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints
  • Enhances the pliability of skin and underlying tissues
  • Improves maternal mood
  • Improves neonatal health and development
  • Eases depression
  • Assists in maintaining proper posture
  • Works towards keeping blood pressure in control
  • Aims at eliminating waste products like lactic acid

References and Websites
http://www.massagedoula.com/

http://thebodyworker.com/pregnancybenefits.html

http://www6.miami.edu/touch-research/research.htm#p

http://www.themommyspa.com/

http://living.oneindia.in/health/pregnancy/pregnancy-massage.html

http://www.omta.com/default.asp?id=1073

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/fitness/a/aa081101a.htm

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif  M., Hart, S., Theakston, H., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C., & Burman, I. (1999). Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 19, 31-38.

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cell: 585.545.5641
office: 585.442.3220
Art Walk Massage
 30 Allens Creek Rd.
Rochester, NY 14618