Receiving massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful choice for complementary natural health care. The dramatic physical and hormonal changes of pregnancy often causes discomfort and massage therapy has the ability to provide a gentle, natural approach to addressing these discomforts and promoting overall well-being.
Our fearless leader, Kaitlyn, recently experienced the benefits of prenatal massage therapy. If you’re a mommy to be, we hope this Q&A session with our prenatal massage therapist will give you a better sense of what to expect and how you can benefit.
Q: Do I need a prescription from my doctor for prenatal massage?
A: Yes, you should always ask your healthcare provider before receiving a prenatal massage. If you have a pre-existing condition, make sure to confirm that the massage will not cause any side effects.
Q: What are the benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy?
A: Prenatal massage can help reduce back pain, joint paint, improve circulation, reduce headaches, reduce stress and anxiety and improve oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles. Most importantly for mommies to be, prenatal massage can help improve sleep.
Q: What are the potential side effects of prenatal massage?
A: Some of the potential side effects include
- Dizziness & nausea
- Too deep of a massage of the back or neck can cause spotting or cramping
- Inducing labor
- Creating, instead of relieving, muscle soreness
Q: What is the best position for a prenatal massage?
A: On your side is the best position. Trained prenatal therapists also have a pregnancy bolster that allows the client to lay comfortably on their stomachs.
Q: Are all massage therapists trained in prenatal massage therapy?
A: No. While most massage schools do train on the basics of prenatal massage, therapists should receive advanced training to ensure the highest level of safety for the client.
Q: Is prenatal massage safe throughout the entire pregnancy?
A: No. Prenatal massage is geared towards moms to be in their second or third trimester. The first trimester is too fragile of a time for massage.
Q: When is a labor induction massage recommended?
A: Induction massage is more recommended for moms to be that are past their due dates or for moms to be that are looking for more of a natural approach for labor. Clients should always ask their healthcare provider before receiving this type of massage to make sure they do not have any pre-existing health conditions and that it is completely safe for them to receive a labor inducing massage.
Q: How soon after delivery can I receive postnatal massage?
A: New moms may receive postnatal massage as soon as they are comfortable. They only time postnatal massage has a grace period is if the client has had a cesarean section. In this case, the client should ask their healthcare provider for approval before receiving this type of work.
If you have more questions regarding pre- or postnatal massage therapy, do not hesitate to contact us!