Pregnancy is often deemed as a beautiful phase in a woman’s life. But what a lot of people rarely talk about is the many psychological, physical, and hormonal changes soon-to-be moms go through during pregnancy.
Thankfully, therapeutic massage such as prenatal massage not only helps pregnant women to cope with these stressful changes but also eases soreness, tightness, and even pain in muscles.
In fact, several health studies have proved that the prenatal massage effectively alleviates many common pregnancy-related symptoms, resulting in a safer and healthier mother and baby.
So, What is a Prenatal Massage?
A prenatal massage, like other forms of massage such as Swedish, Thai, and Shiatsu, is a safe and natural way to soothe and relax sore, achy muscles during pregnancy.
However, unlike regular massages, prenatal massage includes few modifications with body positioning and extra precautions to ensure the safety and comfort of both mother and baby.
For example, many prenatal massage providers in Brooklyn provide soft cushions to ensure minimal strain on the pelvic region or lower back.
Luckily, prenatal massage can be customized to meet the specific needs of a pregnant woman. In fact, many therapists include Reiki for chakra balancing in prenatal massage treatment to maximize the health benefits.
Four Good Reasons to Get a Prenatal Massage
Balance Your Hormones
Several clinical trials have shown that prenatal massage significantly helps in altering the hormones associated with stress and relaxation. Regular sessions of massage increase the production of serotonin, the stress-relieving “feel good” neurotransmitter, and decrease cortisol, the stress-response hormone. This regulation of hormone production benefits the baby’s growth and development.
Improve Sleep Quality
Expectant mothers commonly experience poor sleep quality during pregnancy. Sleep disorders during pregnancy can be alarming and may lead to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prenatal massage soothes the nervous system and releases feel-good hormones, relaxing your body and mind and helping you sleep better.
Reduce Nerve Pain
Many women experience sciatica nerve pain, one of the major complications of late pregnancy. Sciatica nerve pain usually occurs due to increased pressure on the pelvic floor and lower back muscles. Prenatal massage significantly reduces muscle tension, resulting in lower sciatica nerve pain.
Prevents Anemia During Pregnancy
Expectant mothers are more prone to iron deficiency due to the increased iron demands of both mother and baby. Since prenatal massage helps increase blood and lymph circulation, it helps increase red blood cell count, alleviating the fatigue associated with pregnancy anemia.
