Pregnancy Massage

pregnancy massage

Pregnancy affects a woman's physical sense of self, self-image & one's hormones. Wellness & therapeutic massage during pregnancy do wonders to support women feeling more comfortable with the changes going on during each semester, easing some of the associated discomforts. Pregnancy massage can improve leg circulation leading to varicosities, foot discomfort & can ease low back & abdominal stresses. The colorpuncture treatments utilized are a safe, needleless form of acupressure & color therapy that can calm down some of the hormonal fluctuations experienced & to reduce first time mothers in their anxiety with the birth process.

Pregnancy massage is especially supportive during the last trimester for low back & sacral pain & for creating more space for the baby to move in its constrained space. My preference is to work with a couple, their mid-wife or dulah offering different styles of bodywork from the first semester all the way thru to the post birth adjustments. The Acuscope can be requested to quicken the healing process from caesarean post surgery care.


Discomfort and Pain Reduction

There are various sources of clinical documentation on the effectiveness of Pregnancy massage in reducing many discomforts and pain. Let's look at some of these physiological conditions pertinent to various stage of pregnancy. Many women complain of pain felt in the feet, legs, hips and low back. Edema can produce some of the achy, sore, tense & even numb feeling, as does strain to the muscles, & joints of the hips, feet and legs. Cramping in the calves can torment some women's sleep. Discomforts such as edema, varicose veins and high blood pressure often respond well to appropriate massage therapy. 75% of women suffer normal, pregnant-induced edema in the calves and ankles, occurring in the later second and third trimester. Various massage styles can help to reduce varicose vein development and pain.

Many women report their first incidence of chronic back pain during pregnancy. 56% of all expected women experience some form of low back pain, 50% experience it in sacroiliac region, 25% in the upper back and 25% in the lower back area as sciatica pains. Prior postural imbalances and injuries can often get exacerbated by pregnancy. The baby may intensify this discomfort with frequent kicking and strenuous stretching.

The growing uterus compresses and displaces all structures of the extended belly and pelvic regions. Keep this in mind as your belly grows with the baby: the expanding uterus blossoms from a plum sized pelvic organ to watermelon proportions over a number of weeks. Fetuses with preferred uterine position often overburden the favored side of a mother's back and belly, making it tired and sore from unbalanced weight loads.

Addressing Emotional Needs During Pregnancy

Individualized hands on time with a skilled maternal massage therapist present a unique and potent experience of support and relaxation for pregnant women. Many effective massage styles are adapted to for maternity care and precautions taken with each trimester of a woman's pregnancy.

Massage can provide an experience of "letting go" and focusing inwardly, which is essential to the bonding process between mother and baby. The regular caring contact bimonthly with your experienced massage therapist can be a vital component of a pregnant woman's support system. As a seasoned bodyworker, I can offer attentive, non-judgmental listening to the many changes going on in a woman's body as well as be a sounding board for all those hormonal fluxes that can flush up. This precious time can allow additional opportunities in helping new mothers to understand and assimilate the strong emotional states common during pregnancy.

Trigger Points

Are especially common for women coping with the structural stresses of pregnancy. These hypersensitive spots occur in taut bands of muscles and fascia. Prenatal trigger points develop in the musculature of the abdomen, rib cage, upper and lower back, neck and legs. Sat through medical massage, the resulting reduction or elimination of neck and back pain experienced by many pregnant women brings welcome relief!!

Labor Facilitation

Skilled pregnancy massage is as effective during labor as it is at the prenatal stage and can support the physiological and emotional needs that naturally arise during labor and birth. One study group showed a 25% shorter labor time and a 30% decrease in all pain medication use. Research is verifying that supportive, nurturing touch during labor can enhance emotional satisfaction and diminish the varied pains of labor and the necessity for medical intervention. A couple can be couched to offer selective and effective acupressure points and aromatherapy application throughout the various stages of a woman's labor.

Bio:

Kris has special affinity and compassion with working with pregnant moms and new fathers. She's specialized in working with women's health concerns, with a focus on gynecology care for 14 years. Over the years, Kris has taken specialty courses in birth acupuncture and pregnancy massage. She's open in working alongside midwives and their doctors, for coaching couples in utilizing acupressure and aromatherapies to make their labor process less uncomfortable. Supportive massage techniques can also be learned for prenatal massage and infant massage.

 

For more pregnancy and birth support, here are some local and national organizations to look into.