Pregnancy Massage and its Benefits

As some of you know, I spent the first seven months of 2011 pregnant.  During this time, my husband treated me to a Pregnancy Massage.   I'd heard about this before as I had sent my sister to one a couple of years before at the Walmer Clinic, and she raved about it afterwards.

Mine was absolutely what I needed at the time.  Due to the nature of my work as a Physical Therapist; being on my feet most of the time, stretching and moving my patients around, the main objective for me was relaxation, rather than to treat any specific pregnancy related symptom.  Pregnancy massage can do both, so if you're simply looking for a relaxing massage to ease the strain, or have a specific problem that you need resolved, this treatment is suitable for either.

When I had my Pregnancy massage, it made me realise how much stress and strain the pregnancy was putting on my body, and particularly my back and legs.  I was having a pretty normal pregnancy and feeling well, but the treatment made me see just how much pressure my body was under, and after the treatment I felt much better.  The products that are used during this treatment help to replenish the skin & improve its elasticity as it stretches each day (so can help with the dreaded stretch marks!).

Half way through my pregnancy I completed the Kinesiotaping 3 Sports course and when the instructor knew I was pregnant she showed a variety of techniques to help with pregnancy related issues – so she taped under my bump for additional support, she taped my 2 legs for extra lymph drainage for excess swelling & also showed how to tape for Carpel Tunnel syndrome at the wrists!

Other benefits of Pregnancy Massage include;

• Helping alleviate muscle spasms & pain especially in lower back, pubic symphisis, hips and legs
• Reducing pressure on weight bearing joints
• Helping with Sciatic nerve pain
• Improving blood circulation, and mother & baby’s oxygen supply
• Improving lymph flow, helping to reduce swelling in hands and feet
• Improving sleep patterns

Pregnancy Massage differs to a regular treatment in some ways - for obvious reasons, most of the treatment is done as the patient lies on their side or on their back if comfortable (although there are now massage tables with 3 well positioned holes!!! Seriously!!) .  The type of pressure used will vary from client to client and there are some areas which are to be avoided – for example the inside of the ankle.

Once my baby was born and I was looking forward to getting back to work, I decided to take the course and become qualified to offer Pregnancy Massage at EKPTW.  I've treated pregnant women previously using regular Physical Therapy methods for complications arising from the pregnancy, but was never able to offer straight forward relaxation massage. Knowing now how beneficial this type of treatment can be, I’m delighted to be able to offer my clients Pregnancy Massage in conjunction with other treatments.

It is important that the healthcare professional offering Pregnancy Massage is qualified and has proper certification.  Also, I would certainly recommend getting written confirmation from your GP beforehand clearing you for treatment, especially if you have a high risk pregnancy.