Preganancy Massage
The miracle of being pregnant isn’t a cake walk for the mother. Your body changes, you ache from bones moving and adjusting, muscles hurt from carrying another person with you at all times, everything about the mother changes. Imagine, when you’re not pregnant, how amazing a massage can feel. Now…when you are preggers, I can only IMAGINE that a massage would feel incredible. The benefits of massages for anyone are unlimited, but for a mother to be, the benefits seems to be even more amazing.
There have only been a handful of small studies that focus on massage in pregnancy. And so no definite benefits have been established. But one study at the University of Miami School of Medicine suggests that massage therapy during pregnancy might have multiple positive effects, including:
- Lowered anxiety
- Decreased back and leg pain
- Improved sleep
- Decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine
In another study of pregnancy massage in depressed women, researchers found:
- increased levels of the “feel-good” hormones serotonin and dopamine
- decreased levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress
- an overall improvement in mood
Research has shown that, for the general population, massage has other potential benefits. For instance, it may relieve pain, or it may boost the immune system to fight off viruses and tumors.
Pregnancy massage experts adapt their techniques to address the changes a woman’s body goes through during pregnancy. For instance, blood volume increases dramatically — as much as 50% — during pregnancy. Blood flow to the legs often becomes sluggish. And the levels of anticoagulants in the blood — designed to prevent hemorrhaging during delivery — naturally rise.
These changes in circulation put a pregnant woman at risk of blood clots in the legs, typically in the calves or inner thigh. To be safe, pregnancy massage experts avoid deep massage and strong pressure on the legs. Using strong pressure could dislodge a blood clot. Instead, they use very light, slow strokes on the legs. Types of massage to avoid on the legs include deep-tissue massage, deep acupressure, shiatsu, cross-fiber friction, and percussive tapping. All leg massage strokes should move toward the heart.”
So, what is a preganacy massage? Or what is the difference (other than the obvious ;o)? ) The major difference is that the person getting massaged is pregnant. Obviously the table and the position of the person is different. It is highly recommended not to use a table with a hole cut out for the belly, but to have the mother lay on her side with pillows. This is far more comfortable for her.
So, future moms, go treat yourself to a massage while prgenant. Its unbelievable good for you and your babies health.
Thanks,
Tiffany
Last Minute Massage
