Article by Ben Pianese

What Is Pregnancy Massage?

Like any other type of massage, prenatal massage focuses on improving the overall well-being of the body, by relaxing the muscles, eliminating pain, soothing sore spots and improving circulation and mobility. In addition to that, prenatal massage also focuses on the unique necessities of the pregnant woman.

This means some changes are made in the usual ways of performing the massage. The most significant change regards the woman’s position. Pregnant women cannot simply lie on the massage table with their face pointed towards the floor because of their swollen, sensitive breasts and, especially, because of their big, round belly. Lying on the back is also not a suitable solution; this results in an increased pressure on the vein that carries the blood from the legs to the heart, because of the uterus’s tremendous weight. This is why the prenatal massage requires a special table, which has some hollowed-out spots, so that the woman would be able to lie on it with her face down. Special pillows to support the belly and breasts are also required. If there is no special table, the woman can lie comfortably on her side, with the help of bolsters (pillows with a special design). This position is often considered to be more comfortable for pregnant women, especially during their later stage of pregnancy.

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Article by Kate Codrington

In most massage trainings, the guideline to students is not to massage a woman in the first three months of pregnancy. The reason usually given is that in the first trimester, the risk of miscarriage is too high, but can massage given by a responsible therapist really provoke miscarriage? Should we stop seeing a client when she tells us she’s conceived even though this is probably when she is most in need of support?

I am curious as to why there’s so much fear around massage and pregnancy in the first trimester and interested in examining what happens within the woman and foetus during this period, the actual risks around miscarriage, and what sort of massage might be appropriate.

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Article by Blake Wilson

If you’re pregnant – or ever have been – you may have wondered about the benefit and safety involved with a prenatal massage. You’re aware that the extra weight you’re carrying creates major changes in your body, especially the added stress on your abdominal muscles, shoulders, neck and back. It also affects your ligaments by relaxing them, making your pelvic joints less stable and changing your posture by pulling your pelvis forward.

Before you consider including it in your pregnancy health routine, do some research to insure that the massage therapist you choose is trained in prenatal massage techniques, not just massage methods. A prenatal massage is effective because it involves the right amount of pressure… using the right technique… at the right stage in the pregnancy, so you need an expert.

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Article by Robert Sted

In the past 9 years, I have had 3 normal pregnancies and healthy children. While the pregnancies were all normal and complication-free, I had all the different feelings going through both my mind and body. Between muscle and joint pain, there is also weight gain (in my case, this was quite substantial) causing physical discomfort. I never considered that there was any way of gaining some relief. I now know there is! It is a pregnancy massage. I recently discovered (maybe too late for me) that this is an option when pregnant, in most circumstances.

During pregnancy, we have normal feelings of stress, anxiety, even anxiety, as well as happiness and anticipation. Knowing there is a human being growing within us, we try extra hard to take care of ourselves, as well as the baby. However, some of these feelings can be relieved by a wonderful massage.

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Popular songs, poetry and literature often make reference to “the blues.” This is just the usual downcast mood that almost everyone goes through at some point in time. It is also called depression, although there is still a more serious state called clinical depression. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that every year in the United States some 20 million people aged 18 and above go through clinical depression. Clinical depression can also be experienced by teens below the age 18 and also by children, though. In times of crisis, such as the financial crunch that the country is suffering, it is not surprising that a lot of people become depressed. Ordinary and clinical depression alike can be prevented and even treated with the assistance of therapeutic massage. Reflexology massage therapy, Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and pregnancy massage therapy can all be used to lift the spirits of those who are depressed. These massage therapy modalities can be requested from therapeutic massage spas in Ramsey County, St. Paul MN.

Although there is a difference between ordinary depression and clinical depression, non-clinical depression should not be dismissed as totally harmless either. If not treated early and properly, ordinary depression could easily worsen and lead to clinical depression.

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What is a pregnancy massage or prenatal massage?

Pregnancy massage or prenatal massage are generic terms used to describe a variety of conditions and treatments performed to help alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy.

Conditions like: Sciatica, headaches, low back pain, swelling in the extremities, muscle tension and sleep disturbances can all be part of being pregnant. An RMT can work to address all these conditions.

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Pregnant women experience a lot of discomforts and anxieties and need all the relief they can get. This is why pregnancy massage has become very popular these days. But what can a pregnant woman expect during a pregnancy massage therapy session in a massage spa in Venice and Sarasota FL?

First of all, a pregnant woman has to get clearance from her obstetrician before going for pregnancy massage. Make sure that you do not have counter-indications for massage.

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Part of the planning process of starting a family is preparing the mother for the pregnancy itself. Good thing for mothers living in Sarasota and neighboring Bradenton. FL, massage spas have now started advocating the benefits of massage therapy for pregnant women.

According to research from the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), getting a regular massage before and during pregnancy has shown a 30 percent decrease of the negative symptoms of pregnancy such as nausea, leg cramps, anxiety, and mood swings. There has also been some indication that getting regular pregnancy massage promoted easier and shorter delivery. Coupling pregnancy massage with aromatherapy, according to professional therapist Jaye Roberts, can greatly improve the condition of the mother and baby’s well-being inside the womb.

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