Remedial Massage during Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of tremendous physiological and emotional changes and receiving massage therapy during this time can not only minimize or prevent many common discomforts, but also provide nurturing and support.
The majority of techniques used for a remedial massage can be used or slightly altered and applied to a pregnancy massage to help alleviate stress on the weight bearing joints and reduce muscle tightness and spasm due to postural changes.
Pregnancy massage is effective in reducing stress and anxiety, regulating blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate, strengthening the immune system and balancing emotions. Regular massage counter-acts the negative impact of chronic stress on both you and your baby. It can also help with relief from common discomforts including sciatica, back pain, swelling of ankles or oedema, leg cramps and achy legs.
The use of the pregnancy cushion will allow the client to lay on their front in a comfortable position and in most cases, massage is safe during the entire pregnancy. The breast recess cushion (as shown above in black) can also provide extra comfort for clients who are breast feeding or have breast implants.
It is always advisable to check with your obstetrician to check that you do not have any conditions where massage would be contra-indicated.
It is increasingly apparent that antenatal anxiety can have lasting effects on the psychological development of the child
