Pregnancy Massage
Pregnancy is a welcome event for most, but it also brings a host of changes to the mother-to-be. Not only does the expectant mother’s figure and physiology dramatically change during pregnancy, but she may also experience increased susceptibility to hormonal changes and emotional stress.
Massage therapy can be an important component to a woman’s prenatal care by providing nurturing support, relief of the physical discomforts of pregnancy and education in self-care techniques.
Benefits of prenatal massage
- Relieves muscle and joint pain caused by supporting the additional weight of the baby
- Induces the relaxation response in the nervous system which results in a decrease of the stress hormone known as cortisol
- Increases blood circulation and delivery of nutrients to the fetus as well as removal of wastes from the bloodstream
- Reduces labor time and complications for mother and baby
- Lowers blood pressure, heart and respiratory rate
Benefits of MLD during pregnancy
- Manual lymph drainage enhances immune system function
- Reduces swelling, or “edema,” in hands and feet
- An effective drug-free method that relieves tension and migraine headaches as well as sinus problems
Massage can help you, the expectant mother, prepare for labor by increasing awareness of tension in the body and by helping you to release it. You can also practice breathing and relaxation techniques while focusing on tender areas as they are being massaged. Deep tissue massage and assisted-resisted stretching increases muscle and joint flexibility (in addition to relieving pain), which allows a woman to more easily labor in a variety of positions.
Benefits of postpartum massage
- Helps rebalance pelvic and spinal alignment
- Promotes healing and alleviates muscle strain and fatigue
- Prevents and alleviates upper back and neck pain from caring for the newborn
- Swedish massage and manual lymph drainage facilitates the healing process and removes metabolic wastes and excess fluid from the tissues.
- Orthopedic massage can help heal strained and/or injured sacroiliac and sacrotuberous ligaments caused by the baby pressing down on the birth canal.
At your first session you will be asked to fill out a client information form to ensure that you do not have any health conditions which may not be appropriate for pregnancy massage. Madge will then discuss your main concerns and how pregnancy massage can address them. During the massage, you will be comfortably supported with pillows. You may undress to your comfort level and you will be covered by a sheet and blanket during the session. Madge will be asking you for feedback about pressure to ensure the optimal level is maintained for you.
