Before I get into this article, I wanted to thank everyone for the awesome support from my last article about tipping your RMT! I struggled with deciding if I should post it or not. But since the words just flew right out of me and onto the page, I figured it was meant to be shared. So thank you again!!
Now, onto the next topic - Pregnancy Massage.
Some clients have commented to me that they will miss me once they become pregnant and can no longer have massage treatments. Contrary to that myth, massage therapy has some amazing affects on the body as a woman progresses through her pregnancy! There are some things that need to be modified to accommodate the Mother-To-Be and the baby so that they can receive and effective yet safe treatment to help.
Positioning:
Usually in the first trimester, it is safe to treat both lying on your stomach and back as we normally do. As the baby grows, there will need to be some pressure restrictions on the lower back as to not cause damage to baby. Closer to the second trimester and on wards, positioning will be changed to either lying on your side with pillows or utilizing a body cushion. These positions allow for more space for the baby so we can add a little more pressure to the lower back to alleviate discomfort. During the last two trimesters as well, instead of being on your back, I will add more cushions and a wedge to have your both reclined and having your right hip. This allows the weight of the fetus to shift off of the vascular structures as well as making breathing easier. If not done, this could cause tingling/numbing in the legs.
Hydrotherapy:
Personally, I prefer not to use hydrotherapy applications during the stages of pregnancy unless otherwise indicated by your physician or midwife as there are many variables to consider and I do not want to over stimulate your body. If you are in the clear for its use, I usually use a cool towel on the legs to help with any swelling that has accumulated as a result of the pregnancy. A warm therapy (heat pad) may also be used to help promote local circulation and decrease muscle aches, however I use caution with this as it may cause complications. I suggest discussing your options with your physician or midwife.
Techniques:
The primary aim for pregnancy massage is for relaxation. Blood flow is increased to help the developing fetus. That results in an increased edema/swelling in your body. That additional pressure on your body may caused some discomfort, so massage therapy can be utilized to help drain the swelling and provide some relief. As the baby grows, your core muscles are altered. Abdominal muscles are overstretched (and may even tear) to provide more space. The lower back takes up an additional task of stabilizing your body which causes extra tension to build. Your center of gravity shifts with the added weight of the growing baby which causes extra tension to build in the back and legs. Massage can help manage this tension through your pregnancy without losing stability.
Other Considerations:
Remedial Exercise - by formulating an appropriate exercise plan in coordination with your treatment plan will help in between treatments to help your feel your best!
Breast Massage - Added congestion in the breast tissues can cause some discomfort. By using appropriate drainage techniques, the swelling in the breast tissues can be minimized.
Collaboration - by interacting with other health care providers during your pregnancy, we can ensure that you are receiving the best care possible.
Pregnancy massage is on the rise, and now that you know about how a massage can help you during your pregnancy and what to expect, I hope you will feel more comfortable receiving a treatment during this amazing time!
Have you ever had a massage treatment when you're pregnant? What was your experience like?
If anything is left unclear, please feel free to contact me, and I will answer your questions and concerns as best as I can!
Thank you for stopping by today, and I hope you have a great day!
References:
Rattray, F., & Ludwig, L. (2005). Clinical Massage Therapy: Understanding, Assessing And Treating Over 70 Conditions (11th ed.). Elora, ON: Talus Incorporated
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