How Prenatal Massages Can Ease Pregnancy Pain

Pregnancy can take its toll on your body. As your baby grows, you’re bound to feel aches and pains, and particularly in your back, ankles and stomach. You may not be able to rely on medication to help ease these aches and pains, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t suitable treatment options available.

Prenatal massage has been proven to ease pregnancy pain throughout each trimester. Not only can it help you feel more comfortable and relaxed, but it can also leave you feeling energized.

Here’s how prenatal massage works, as well as the pain-relieving benefits it can deliver.

WHAT IS A PRENATAL MASSAGE?

So, what is a prenatal massage and how does it differ from a traditional massage?

The main difference lies in your body’s positioning. Obviously, when you’re pregnant, you can’t lay on your stomach or place pressure on your stomach area like you would in a traditional massage. During the first trimester, however, you’ll typically still be massaged in the face-down or prone position. After the first trimester, you’ll be massaged briefly while you’re lying on your back and then lying on your left side. During your third trimester, you’ll be semi-reclined.

The massage techniques used are designed to work deep into the body, to boost circulation and ease the strain on your joints and muscles.

HOW DOES IT HELP REDUCE PAIN?

Prenatal massages help to alleviate pregnancy pain by:

• Easing Sciatic Nerve Pain
  
• Reducing Swelling
• Encouraging Proper Posture

As pregnancies progress, many pregnant women experience sciatic nerve pain due to the pressure placed on the muscles of the lower back and pelvic floor by the uterus. In turn, this pressure moves down into the legs, which causes swelling and places additional pressure on the nerves. Prenatal massages release the tension within your muscles, which can help to reduce swelling and ease pain.

As your baby grows, pressure placed on major blood vessels due to poor circulation and the heaviness of the uterus can also cause your joints to swell. A prenatal massage can help to stimulate the soft tissues and reduce fluid retention within the joints.

A good prenatal massage can also help to improve posture and alignment. As your baby grows, you may notice that the extra weight you’re carrying around causes you to have poor posture. When your posture isn’t right, however, it can place additional pressure on your joints and cause muscle spasms. Massage helps to improve muscle flexibility and tone, which makes your body better equipped to handle the additional weight.

While prenatal massages can significantly reduce pregnancy pain, it’s extremely important to see a trained professional who is well versed in these types of massages since there are a number of risks involved if it’s not performed properly.

If you’d like to eliminate your pregnancy pain, contact Reflexion Spa today. Our can help ease your pregnancy aches and pains, and leave you feeling both relaxed and energized.