Therapeutic massage is one of the oldest yet extensively used today by different nations to improve the overall health condition and to relieve stress as well. Women have frequently received ambivalent responses from the health community involving the safety and purpose of massage during their pregnancy. Recent investigation and research show that prenatal massage therapy can be a vital factor and part in womens prenatal care and should be given cautious consideration.
Advantages of Reflexology
Research studies emphasize that therapeutic massage during a womans pregnancy can relieve muscle aches and pains. Furthermore, it generally reduces the signs and symptoms of depression. One of the fashionable massage techniques is the Swedish massage which provides the greatest benefits to expecting women. This type of massage therapy reduces muscle tension and it helps in the blood circulation. Generally, it is considered as one of the most suggested massage for expectant women.
Therapeutic massage studies has demonstrated that expecting women who received massages at least one or two sessions for a five-week period has greatly lowered their levels of stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrines. They also have high levels of serotonin and dopamine that are mainly known as the body’s “feel good” hormones. This evidence strongly suggests that therapeutic massage when incorporated in an average prenatal care can give mothers a number of health benefits.
Common conditions during pregnancy may consist of swelling and edema of the joints. These conditions are caused by increased pressure on a womans major blood vessels from the heavy uterus. The massage can help soft tissues to discharge these stranded fluids, and encourage in the elimination of waste products from the body.
Also, most women experience sciatic nerve pain in the late stages of their pregnancy. The weight of the uterus can exert pressure on the muscles located in the upper and lower leg, which then causes extreme swelling and pressure on the nerves. Remedial massage has been confirmed to help reduce this demands and extensively relieve sciatic nerve pain.
Precautions
To start with, expecting women should discuss with their respective obstetrician the benefits and risks accompanied with this type of massage . Prior to scheduling with your trusted massage therapist, you should be fully aware of the importance of massage. Consequently, make sure that you consult a knowledgeable professional before incorporating massage to your routine pregnancy care.
If your obstetrician permitted you to get massage then you can schedule an appointment from a certified prenatal care massage therapist. These people are trained of what is required like the national standards for massage therapists and they are proficient in addressing the sensitive areas of the pregnant body.
Some expecting women may have high risk pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, hypertension due to pregnancy, previous pre-term labor or severe swelling. If you have any of these conditions, you should consult your health care provider before receiving a massage. In addition, most massage therapists will decline treatment to a woman during her first trimester of pregnancy, as there are figures that prove a higher rate of miscarriage during the first twelve weeks.
One good benefit of massage is it can enhance the general prenatal health of several expecting women. Along with the guidance and careful advice of a prenatal care provider, this therapy can be incorporated into routine prenatal care as an emotional and physical health enhancement. The massage often produces good results.
Back pain and anxiety are pretty common during pregnancy and therapeutic massage can aid reduce some of the discomforts linked with pregnancy. Yet again, its important to work closely with your prenatal care specialist before you sign up for the massage to be sure that this type of therapy is right for you.
