The Benefits of Prenatal Massage

All the changes your body goes through while pregnant can make you suffer from unexplained and unusual aches and pains, aside from the obvious things like an ever-growing belly and some sleepless nights. The last trimester, in particular, is well known for being a little uncomfortable. As the baby grows at this stage, your body must also accommodate the rapid growth rate. Once you know that any aches you’re feeling are natural and nothing to worry about, a prenatal massage can be a great way of easing the discomfort that growing another human being can cause!

Working through the following conditions, you might enjoy the benefits of a prenatal massage.

Prenatal massage can help you ease backaches.

A growing baby changes your posture, which can lead to lower backache and sometimes upper backache. Massage helps to relax and loosen up tight muscles, which reduces tension in your back and prevents backache.

Heartburn

As pregnancy progresses, you may find that your digestion slows down, and you end up with complaints like constipation and heartburn. Always remember that stress can make things even worse. Massage will help calm you and bring your digestive system back, which may help to ease symptoms.

SPD or PGP

These conditions are caused by the ligaments and joints being softened due to a hormone called relaxin. This can lead to symphysis pubis dysfunction (SPD) and pelvic girdle pain (PGP), which can be debilitating. A prenatal massage helps the symptoms by releasing oxytocin and endorphins to help relieve the discomfort.

Sciatica

Pregnancy can pressure your sciatic nerve, leading to pain down the back of the thigh, leg, and sometimes the sole. Try a gentle massage if you’re suffering from sciatica, as it can sometimes help release the pressure on the nerve that causes the pain.

Prenatal massage can help with headaches and migraine

A typical pregnancy complaint, headaches, is often affected by hormones and worsened by stress or tension in the head, neck, and shoulder area. Massage is well known for being excellent at headache relief and can also be a Godsend if you can’t take any painkillers.

Stretch Marks

Using nourishing oil to massage your belly can moisturize your skin and can help to prevent stretch marks from forming. Be careful to use a blend approved for pregnancy, though – ask your therapist for advice if you’re unsure.

Warning for a prenatal massage

Always make sure that if you are booking a prenatal massage, it’s carried out by a suitably qualified therapist.

If you are suffering from the following, please see a healthcare professional rather than your massage therapist.:

• Morning sickness or extreme nausea
• Heavy, bloody, or watery vaginal discharge
• High blood pressure or/and pre-eclampsia
• Diabetes
• High temperature or fever
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Unusual or identified pains you have not had before
• Contagious illness

Massage is safe for anyone experiencing a healthy pregnancy. Call us or book in for a prenatal massage session to help ease those aches and pain and make you feel great!

Brilliant Massage & Skin

Burlington, Vermont