The Many Benefits of Prenatal Massage-- by Johanna Owens, LMT
If you are pregnant. massage can be a benefit! It can help promote better overall health by:
*Reducing anxiety and stress
*Providing relief from muscle tension
*Improving labor and delivery
It can easily become a healthy part of a woman’s prenatal care plan.
Pregnancy puts a strain on a woman’s body— both physically and psychologically. Muscle aches and pains can develop as well as depression and anxiety. Prenatal massage can help to alleviate these discomforts.
Swelling can develop as a result of poor circulation due to pressure on blood vessels in the body. As the uterus rests on the muscles of the back and pelvic floor, pain is spread through the upper and lower leg. Massage helps reduce this by moving excess fluids from the points where they are collecting (ankles, feet, wrists, and hands). Swelling can sometimes put pressure on nerves (especially the sciatic nerve). Massaging the lower back and legs can be a benefit by reducing the discomfort. Massage also encourages the lymph system to remove waste more swiftly through the body.
Prenatal massage (as well as any massage) can help to increase the “feel good” hormones and help decrease the “stress” hormones. This can be of great benefit to both Mom and baby. If Mom is happy, baby will be happy!
Prenatal massage can be a great part of your pregnancy experience. Therapeutic prenatal massage can improve your labor, delivery, and the overall health of your baby.
Note:
*Always check with your prenatal care team to make sure that massage is the right thing for you and your baby.
*Prenatal massage should be performed by a licensed massage therapist who is certified in prenatal massage.
*Prenatal massage is not recommended in the 1st trimester.
And remember, come back for post-natal massage to keep feeling good!
Johanna Owens, LMT, has been a member of the Spa Rockaway family for 2 years and has been practicing massage therapy for almost 14 years. She is experienced in a variety of modalities, and is highly skilled in prenatal massage therapy— including working at at Spa exclusively for pregnant women. Johanna believes massage therapy is an integral part to maintaining wellness. She works every Sunday from 10 to 5.
