Pregnancy Massage[2022]

 

Introduction

Pregnancy massage is one of the massage techniques used during the period of conception. During the period of pregnancy, women experience a lot of aches, strains, heaviness, and discomforts.

These discomforts distort the normal life experience of pregnant women’s leading to severe stress, anxiety, depressions, as well as sleeplessness.

During this time, pregnant women seek help to soothe and release this unfavorable heaviness and unpleasant strains.  so as pregnancy massage is one of the options applied to relieve these multifaceted discomforts.

Pregnancy massage has several benefits, like soothing strains, releasing pains, reducing anxiety, stress, and other related problems.

Due want to learn more? Read on our thorough article to find out in detail.

What is pregnancy massage?

Pregnancy massage is one of the massage modalities performed during the times of pregnancy. indeed, Pregnancy refers to the period of time from the commencement of conception up to the time of labor and delivery of the newborn.

When women start to conceive, there are a lot of physiological, postural, and hematological changes that occur following their conceptions. These changes come as a result of the hormonal and biological alterations that happen following pregnancies.

In order to make it clear, the period of pregnancy is divided into three terms. The first three months are called the first trimester, the next three months and two weeks are called the second trimester, as well as the last three months up to the delivery of the newborn are termed as the third trimester.

So, when we say pregnancy massage, it encompasses a period of time that is found anywhere in the time of conception.

Any manual manipulations during the time of conception to a pregnant woman are termed as pregnancy massage. Pregnancy massage is similar to normal traditional massage except that, special attention is given to the pregnant mums and to the fetus within the uterus.  To read more on pregnancy massage, Click Here.

 Driving factors for pregnancy massage?

When pregnancy occurs, think of the burden that pregnant mums experience? A huge belly, some bizarre emotional feelings, sleeplessness, aching back, anxiety, depression, all these kinds of stuff are really awkward. Especially, when the pregnancy is in primi_ gravid, it creates worrisome.

When women become pregnant, following this pregnancy, they experience a lot of discomforts. As a result, they seek to soothe these unfavorable and disturbing conditions. These all awkward and anxious factors are the prime causes, why women seek to have a prenatal massage.

In addition to the above-mentioned agonies and discomforts, Especially, low back pain is one of the most common complaints that pregnant women search for a massage followed by hip pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain.

In fact, prenatal massage is one of the best options available that, helps pregnant women to pamper and ease their aches and stresses.

Precautions during pregnancy massage

We didn’t rub all pregnancies blindly. To be on the safe side, there are several conditions that, we should take care of and rule out while or before we are doing pregnancy massages.

In fact, before we directly dive into the pregnancy massage, we should take oral history and inspect for any feeling of ailments and signs of diseases.

During our evaluation, we may find any signs and symptoms of diseases or illnesses. Some of these are strict contraindications and the others seem normal but should be opt-out for safety purposes. So, what are these contraindications? And those opted for safety purposes?

Contraindications to pregnancy massage

There are several medical and surgical issues that should be strictly dealt with, avoided while manipulating pregnancy massage. These diseases/ailments include

• High blood pressure or Hypertension
• Blood clot or history of a blood clot
• Congestive heart failure
• DVT, or deep venous thrombosis
• Current injury or invasive operation
• If mums have severe nausea and vomiting
• If the risk of premature labor is high

 what are the Safety precautions too?

in fact, These are not strict contraindications. Rather, the purpose of these precautions is/are to be in a safe position with regard to pregnancy and its outcomes.

We have stated above that, pregnancy has three terms. First trimester, second trimester, and third trimester. And doctors recommend avoiding massaging pregnant women during their first trimester of pregnancy.

The assumption is that massaging pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy could cause a potential miscarriage and preterm labor. Even though there is no ample evidence to support this assumption, it is better to opt-out of massaging during this time period

Moreover, even though it is not well researched, some essential oils, used in aromatherapy massage, have been also found to be suspicious to trigger preterm labor. So, clients/therapists should avoid using these aromatherapy oils especially during the first trimester of pregnancy.

And there are some other specific trigger points that we should take care of and avoid while giving pregnancy massage. Because these points could also cause uterine contraction and premature delivery.

What Trigger points should be avoided in pregnancy massage?

In pregnant mothers, there are Pressure points that can trigger miscarriage and preterm delivery. Massage therapists should also take care of and avoid these areas.

Trigger areas to be avoided include, pelvis, ankles, sacrum, hands, and wrists. Due to the risk of blood clotting, massaging the ankles with deep tissue massage should also be avoided.

As the massage encompasses the entire body, the following areas should be excluded

Feet

In the foot, there are certain areas, which trigger uterine contractions and cervical ripening due to the effect of reflex actions assumed to connect with it. So, avoid rubbing the following zones in the foot.

Sp6 Acupressure point

It is located three fingers width just above the inner ankle bone. It is believed to connect with the lower abdomen via the reflex effects.

So, massage therapists should avoid rubbing this area.

Urinary bladder 60

This area is found behind the ankle bone towards the outer side. This is also connected with the lower abdomen of pregnant women and you should avoid massaging it.

Urinary bladder 67

This is found on the lateral edge of the toenail. Massaging here contracts the uterus and facilitates the early delivery of the conceived fetus.

So, avoid rubbing around this area.

Hand

Our hands too have a connection with the lower abdomen of the pregnant women via reflex actions. So, you should avoid rubbing the wrist area as well as the place in b/n the index finger and the thumb of your hands.

Abdomen

Rubbing the abdomen directly could have also the worst consequences by initiating uterine contractions. This could lead to miscarriages and preterm labor.

So, you should avoid rubbing the belly of pregnant women. To read more on safety and precautions during the pregnancy massage, Click Here.

How to give pregnancy massage?

Before we directly dive into a pregnancy massage, and, in order to have effective and heightened relaxing outcomes, there are some instances that, we should take into consideration and make available. These include

Creating good ambient

Like the other massage types, the massage rooms and environments should be clean and attractive. Rejuvenating with flowers, lightening candles, dim light, and soft music, and private rooms.

All these combined together helps to enhance the mood and ease the tension and stress of pregnant women.

The client/pregnant woman

Before mums directly dive into pregnancy massage, pregnant women should also consult their healthcare provider, if they are fit for this massage. After confirming and adjusting this, they can come in the next day, well prepared and inspired.

The massage therapist

It should be noted that, in order to have effective pregnancy therapy, pregnant women should be attended by the right expertise who is licensed and certified with massage therapy. This too should be well planned prior to their massage session.

massage techniques used in pregnancy

After the above conditions are fulfilled, massage therapists will proceed to pregnancy massage. Massage therapists use and apply different alternative massage techniques.

The first step begins with the positioning of the pregnant mother. Pregnant mothers should not lie on their back or on their stomachs. Because lying on the back or stomach has a tough consequence, that it could cause increased blood pressure or faintness.

The best position is to lie by their sides. And a supporting pillow to their head and bellies should be adjusted and used

As well as the clothing and the type of lotions and gels used should also be discussed. It should be arranged with the preferability and choice of the expectant mums.

After all, this stuff is well organized, and adjusted, based on your preference, discomfort, and the health concerns you have, your massage therapists will apply using alternative Swedish, deep tissue, and shiatsu massage techniques.

Massage therapists will encompass rubbing the whole body. Pregnancy massage is a full body massage that, covers the entire body, but, special attention may be given to those areas which have severe pain and tightness. Therapists may use the following alternatives.

Swedish massage

Swedish massage is one of the most popular and recommended massage techniques used in pregnant mothers. It is used for pregnant mums that didn’t have intense discomfort but, really want to relax and release tensions.

It is performed by using long, soft, and smooth gliding strokes with rhythmic ways on tight and painful muscle networks. It relieves pain, tension and improves lymphatic and blood circulation.

Deep tissue massage

Even though many mums and therapists opt-out to having/give deep tissue massage, it can be used with special precautions and systems. In fact, this could harm the growing fetus if inappropriately used.

So, Deep tissue massage is used when the degree of discomfort is severe and worse. It is performed by applying firm pressures to specific tight target areas.

Shiatsu massage

This Asian technique is also used when mums are in need of extra relaxation and stress relief.

As Pregnancy massage is a full body massage, To learn more about what is full body massage and how to give full body massage, Click Here.

 side effects of pregnancy massage

There is no documented harm that occurred following pregnancy massage for both the pregnant mum and the fetus within the uterus.

Benefits of pregnancy massage

Pregnancy massage has several benefits. Among these, the following are the main benefits that, pregnant women gain after the massage session.

• Improve tension
• Improve sleep
• Enhance relaxation
• Relief from anxiety and stress
• Hormone regulation-
• To reduce swelling
• To relieve nerve pain
• Reduce back pain
• Improve circulation

In general, pregnancy massage is one of the best options used during the period of pregnancy. It helps pregnant mothers to ease and get relief from different pregnancy-related problems like lower back pain, hip pain, shoulder pain, and neck pain.

If you have any suggestions, questions, or critics, leave a comment.