Prenatal Massage Therapy: Risks & Benefits
By Jessica at 3 December, 2009, 7:45 pm
Prenatal massage therapy can provide great relief to pregnant women. There can be a great deal of discomfort involved with the process of pregnancy. With so many women waiting until later in life to conceive and experience birth for the first time, the discomfort can be intense. For this reason, there has been quite a rise in alternative mechanisms used to deal with pregnancy symptoms. One area that is rising in popularity with pregnant women is prenatal massage therapy. There are many benefits, but also some things that may be contraindications for certain groups of patients.
When to Avoid Massage
Prenatal massage therapy isn’t right for every pregnant woman. The first trimester, when the body is becoming used to carrying new life, isn’t the ideal time to begin a massage regimen. Instead, the pregnant mother should focus on relaxing and becoming used to the changes that are happening so quickly. Many women also need this time to get through the normal feeling of being morning sick. Touch and smells can contribute to nausea and new experiences aren’t as welcome. Also, mothers who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure or preeclampsia, among other conditions, should avoid prenatal massage therapy. Finally, those that are familiar with foot reflexology are aware that different pressure points on the foot correspond with other areas of the body. The massage points that relate to the uterus and vaginal area should be avoided with patients that are pregnant.
Benefits to the Pregnant Mother
There are many benefits of massage to the pregnant mother. Prenatal massage therapy focuses on relaxing the expectant mother and helping her to feel nurtured and cared for. Unlike other disciplines of massage, prenatal massage focuses less on deep tissue stimulation and more on the emotional state of the patient. Because deep cleansing is prohibited during pregnancy, gentle motions are used to offer comfort and relief. Pregnant women are also extremely flexible and loose in the joints and muscles to accommodate the growth of the baby. This means that they are very responsive to movements that would not have as much of an effect in other patients. While prenatal massage therapy definitely does not replace standard obstetrical care, it can provide another level of patient care, especially when used in conjunction with the regular prenatal visits.
Using Special Adaptive Equipment
Most qualified massage therapists have equipment that helps the patient stay relaxed and comfortable during the massage session. As massage is most often accomplished with the patient flat on their back, or lying on their belly, it’s no surprise that there are special adaptive tables that are preferred for pregnant women. For offices that wish to offer prenatal massage therapy, be sure that provide the proper equipment. The massage table should feature a belly cut out that will cradle the pregnant woman and allow her to rest comfortably. Some tables can be adjusted, depending on the size of the pregnant belly and the preference of the client.
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