Your Essential Guide to Pregnancy Massage
Managing Pregnancy Discomfort with Pregnancy Massage in Lara
Pregnancy is a beautiful and transformative journey, but it often brings physical discomforts such as leg cramps, back pain, and stiff joints. Studies, including surveys from the American Pregnancy Association, reveal that between 60% and 70% of pregnant women experience back pain during their pregnancy, particularly in the second and third trimesters. This discomfort can even persist after childbirth. Due to limited safe options for pain relief during pregnancy, pregnancy massage for back pain and other aches is a highly effective, drug-free solution.
Common Causes of Pain During Pregnancy
Pregnancy-related aches and pains can stem from various factors, including:
Postural changes due to a growing belly
Hormonal fluctuations affecting ligaments and joints
Increased stress and emotional changes
Weight gain placing extra strain on muscles
Diastasis recti (muscle separation)
How Effective Is Pregnancy Massage for Pain Relief?
Prenatal massage helps expecting mothers stay active and comfortable throughout pregnancy and beyond. This gentle therapy can relieve muscle tension, reduce swelling (oedema), ease nerve pain, improve mood, and enhance sleep quality. It also promotes better blood circulation, helping alleviate swelling in the hands and feet.
Experienced remedial massage therapists often use specific techniques such as:
Swedish Massage: Using light to medium pressure with long strokes, this is the safest and most commonly recommended massage style for pregnant women.
Deep Tissue Massage: Applied carefully, this technique targets deeper muscle layers to relieve chronic tension.
Your therapist will tailor the technique based on your comfort and physical condition.
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage for You
A professional pregnancy massage can significantly lower stress hormone levels, reducing anxiety and depression during pregnancy. It supports healthy digestion, boosts energy, and addresses common pregnancy symptoms like swollen ankles, pelvic pain, leg cramps, neck stiffness, and joint discomfort. Additionally, some studies suggest that pregnancy massage may help shorten labor time and reduce the need for pain relief during childbirth.
Important: Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment during pregnancy.
Is Pregnancy Massage Safe?
Research confirms that pregnancy massage is generally safe when performed by a qualified and experienced therapist. It’s crucial that your massage therapist understands pregnancy-specific contraindications and avoids sensitive trigger points, especially around the abdomen. Techniques should involve gentle motions, and care must be taken with positioning to ensure comfort and safety for both mother and baby.
At our Melbourne clinics, pregnancy massage typically begins from around 14 weeks gestation, with clients positioned on their side—the safest and most comfortable posture during pregnancy.
Pregnancy Massage Through Each Trimester
First Trimester: Early pregnancy brings hormonal changes that can affect mood, energy, and wellbeing. Gentle pregnancy massage helps ease anxiety and prepares the body for the coming months.
Second Trimester: Often the most comfortable phase, massage during this time helps maintain hormonal balance, improve posture, and manage the physical adjustments as your baby grows.
Third Trimester: As your body prepares for birth, massage supports relaxation, reduces leg cramps, eases swelling, and helps manage stress and anxiety.
Choosing the Right Therapist
While not mandatory, choosing a remedial massage therapist with a diploma or advanced qualification in pregnancy massage ensures you receive safe, knowledgeable care. Pregnancy massage requires specialized skills in positioning and technique to accommodate the mother’s changing body safely.
If you have questions or want to discuss your symptoms, feel free to contact our Lara pregnancy massage specialists.
Remember: Always check with your doctor before booking a pregnancy massage session.
Book your appointment online or give us a call today on 0425 718 104.
