What is a pregnancy massage?
Pregnancy massage is a gentle, harmonic soft tissue treatment, which helps to reduce muscle and joint tension during the course of pregnancy.
Regular massage helps to maintain a good posture throughout pregnancy by continuously adjusting misalignments, caused by the growing baby. During this period, it is important to increase muscle tone and flexibility for an easy pregnancy experience.
For the duration of pregnancy, regular massages may not only help you relax and reduce anxiety, but also help relieving insomnia; leg cramping; muscle spasms; carpal tunnel pain; and alleviate headaches and sinus congestion. Massage may also lift depression without the use of medication, according to some scientific studies.
Massage can help Pregnant women on:
Swelling and oedema:
Oedema or swelling of the joints during pregnancy is very common, and is often caused by reduction of circulation and increased of pressure on the blood vessels by the uterus.
Pregnancy massage helps to stimulate the lymphatic system, reducing the accumulation of fluids in swollen joints, as well as, aiding with the removal of toxins and waste. This can reduce swelling in hands and feet (as long as that swelling isn’t a result of preeclampsia) that we see a lot in pregnant women.
Depression and anxiety:
Studies have shown that massage therapy can reduce stress, both mentally and physically, before birth in pregnant women. Although pregnancy massage can have different effect on people, it has shown to reduce anxiety and decrease symptoms of depression.
Improving Nerve Pain:
Pressure from the heavy uterus resting on the lower back and pelvic floor, can cause swelling and irritate the Sciatic nerve, causing pain in the lower back, glutes and legs. Pregnancy massage can release the tension on the muscles of the lower back and gluts, helping to alleviate the pressure on the nerves and thus have a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain.
Hormonal changes:
Massages therapy has shown to improve cardiovascular health and helping with mood regulation. Recent studies show that women who had a fortnightly massage showed a reduction in hormone levels such as Cortisol and Norepinephrine (associated with stress) and an increase in Dopamine and Serotonin (the ‘happy’ hormones). It’s been shown that maintaining these hormones can lead to fewer complications during birth.
If you need advice or have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. We are always happy to help.
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