Hands On Massage & Wellness - Your Pregnancy Massage Specialists

During pregnancy, women suffer from all sorts of ailments, including heartburn, backaches, swollen ankles, aching muscles, breast soreness, and fatigue, to mention just a few. Traditional medicine offers few means of alleviating these problems. In addition, women may feel increased stress due to the psychological effects of pregnancy, which include changes in body image, concerns about the baby’s health, motherhood, and the challenge of this life-changing event.

A massage at Hands On Massage & Wellness can pleasantly and effectively eliminates many of these adverse effects of stress and the accompanying discomforts. The expectant woman can benefit in many ways from regular massage treatments:

• Massage will prepare her for an easier delivery. Self-massage to the perineum promotes flexibility and elasticity. This could help her to avoid an episiotomy or if she does have one, healing will be faster because the sensitive tissues will be more supple.

• Massage stimulates glandular secretions, stabilizing hormone levels and making their side effects less severe.

• Leg massage can control varicose veins and the draining effects of massage facilitate reduction in edema.

• An increase in general circulation offers a rise of blood flow to all areas of the body, including the placenta. This brings greater nutrition to the tissues and enhances waste product removal.

• “Lazy” red blood cells which line the vessel walls are reintroduced into circulation increasing the red blood cell count. This is of particular importance to those women with anemia. A rise in the cell count will help eliminate fatigue since more oxygen carrying hemoglobin is released into the bloodstream.

• The strain on the muscles of the lower back, abdomen and shoulders, which increases as the pregnancy progresses, can be greatly relieved with regular massage.

• Muscles tone can increase with regular massage. Muscle spasms and knots are released while ligaments, tendons and joints enjoy greater flexibility. This is most advantageous during labor.

• The lymphatic system circulates faster and more efficiently. The result for the pregnant woman is less swelling and more energy.

• Massage has a sedating effect on the nervous system, which promotes needed rest and relaxation.

In addition to the numerous physiological benefits of massage, the emotional experience cannot be overlooked. Pregnant women vary greatly in their perceptions of themselves as their bodies change so radically. Some women welcome the changes without complaint while others feel completely out of control and miserably unattractive. A pregnant woman’s self image can be a very fragile part of her overall experience. A sensitive massage practitioner can make a big difference in the way a woman accepts her body.

Massage is healthful and enjoyable during a normal pregnancy. However, massage is not appropriate for some conditions, such as: • Morning sickness, nausea, or vomiting.

• Vaginal bleeding or discharge.

• A noticed decrease in fetal movement over a 24-hour period.

• Diarrhea.

• Pain in the abdomen (unlike the pressure felt in the latter months) or any where else in the body.

• Proximity to the site of a bruise, varicose vein or a scar.

• Disapproval by the doctor or health care provider for any other medical reason.

Massage can also be part of the birthing process. It can help the expectant mother to relax between contractions, reduce pain from tight muscles, and provide emotional support and encouragement. Because stress interferes with the production of labor-inducing hormones, there is even evidence that massage can promote a speedier birth.

In the postpartum period, nature sets about undoing in eight weeks what it took nine months to create. Though it may be difficult, it is as important for the new mother to care for herself now, as during the pregnancy. Massage can help her to handle the physical demands of caring for a newborn by reducing tension and increasing energy. If nursing, a relaxing massage can help since tension interferes with milk letdown. Psychologically, massage can nurture and comfort her whether or not she is experiencing postpartum “blues.”

Massage is a wonderful way for a woman to relax and enjoy her pregnancy experience. It is very important that all health information be presented to the massage therapist and the doctor has given approval for massage.

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