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Pregnancy Massage
Finding out you are pregnant is the most amazing feeling. Every day is filled with anticipation and awe because of the miracle of life that is happening inside the mother’s body. But sometimes the aches, pains, and discomforts due to pregnancy can make the experience a little difficult to fully enjoy.
In order for the baby to grow and be healthy, the mother’s body needs to adapt and change in order to accommodate the growing child or in some cases children. Sometimes these changes cause only aches and pains, while sometimes the changes can actually be debilitating for the mother. The body will adapt and form compensations in order to try and function properly, but these compensations can sometimes lead to injuries that are more severe. As more and more relaxing is being released into the body, the ligaments will loosen, increasing the strain and work demanded of the muscles, again increasing the chances of injuries. Some of these changes in the body will start to return to normal after birth while others will remain for longer periods of time.
What can be done to avoid pain and discomfort?
Exercise and manual therapy are some of the best ways for the body to remain strong and healthy. Exercise in moderation will help to keep the mother-to-be healthy, revitalized and energetic while still strengthening the muscles so that they will be able to withstand the increased demand that they will experience.
Depending on the types of aches, pains and injuries, different manual therapists such as massage therapists, osteopaths and physiotherapists will be able to help the body function normally and decrease the risk of injuries.
Pregnancy massage therapy can be very effective due to the direct attention that is given to the muscles that are most affective. Massage therapists are trained to treat the muscles that are affected, and treating the structures that may be causing the injuries in the first place.
It is important to note that many adaptations to the pregnancy massage therapy session must be made because of the changes to the soon to be mother’s body. The most obvious being that massages while lying on the stomach can no longer be performed, and lying on the left side is more beneficial. For these reasons, massage therapists must choose to take advanced courses to understand and learn about the adaptations to the massage positioning and massage techniques needed to perform a prenatal massage if they would like to perform the treatments. Prenatal massages will greatly decrease muscle pain, unhealthy adaptations, muscle cramps and spasms during gestation.
It is very important to ask your pregnancy massage therapist if they have studied and been certified in prenatal massage before going to see them to ensure the best care possible. It is also important to advise your massage therapist that you are pregnant as soon as you find out.
Sante & Physique is a certified prenatal and baby massage therapist. Call us today to book your prenatal massage.
