For many women being pregnant can be one of the happiest moments in life but for others it can be a daunting process, even though It is the most natural process a women can go through. That said it still carries a large number of nasty side affects, the most common ones being nausea, back pain, swollen ankles, and muscular tension particularly as the uterus prepares to carry baby. Luckily there is a little utilised form of massage that can offer relief for most of the aforementioned symptoms, as well as bringing relaxation and the feeling of wellbeing to the mother
It has been proved that massage during pregnancy can bring relief to weight barring joints, reduce swelling, ease the labour pain, stress and headaches and other pregnancy related problems. It supports physiologic, structural and emotional wellbeing of mother and the baby.
What Does Prenatal/ Pregnancy Massage Entail?
The treatment focuses on providing the expectant mother with as much relaxation as possible. The technique uses very gentle massage techniques such as effleurage and kneading, which can relief a lot of muscular tension and pain. Back pain is synonymous with pregnancy and often continues throughout the entire pregnancy, sometimes massage can be the only treatment that can give relief for the nagging back pain. The massage it self is performed while the client is comfortably rested on the side whilst holding a pillow between her legs and under the woman’s stomach.Massage Therapy
The pregnancy massage treatment typically last for around an hour and focuses on comfortable, slow and deep relaxing movements over the lower back, hips and neck. The long strokes over the legs help to reduce any swelling in the legs and ankles.
It should be noted that there is evidence that shows pregnant women can benefit from massage on many different levels: physiological, functional, emotional and lifestyle. Carrying too much stress can negatively affect mother’s health as well as the infant’s.
Profound physiologic, functional, emotional, relational, and lifestyle changes occur during gestation and labour, often creating high stress levels. Too much stress can negatively affect maternal and infant health, resulting in reduced uterine blood supply and higher incidence of miscarriage, prematurity, and other complications. Massage therapy can help a woman approach her due date with less anxiety as well as less physical discomfort. Even apart from easing specific aches, massage can act as an overall tonic and increase the expectant mother’s body awareness.