What is Prenatal and Postnatal Massage?
Most people know that receiving routine massages can be beneficial for physical, mental and emotional health. From your basic Swedish (light pressure) massage to increase mental relaxation to Deep Tissue massage that is more area-specific and intense to promote muscle tension release to relieve pain and stiffness, massage can offer beneficial pain relief and management for just about anyone! However, new mothers and expecting moms are different cases and so the pre-and postnatal massage therapist is trained to adapt the techniques of Swedish and Deep Tissue into the special cases of pregnancy and post-pregnancy. This includes specific and comfortable positioning on the massage table to accommodate moms-to-be.
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
Receiving routine prenatal massage beginning in your second trimester onward – with your OB/GYNs permission – can help alleviate many aches, pains, tensions and stresses that go along with changing bodies. During pregnancy it’s quite common for the mom-to-be to experience increased neck and low back pain, leg cramps and swelling, insomnia, foot and ankle pain, as well as bouts of anxiety and depression. The nurturing and therapeutic touch offered by a skilled prenatal massage therapist can do wonders to reduce these symptoms. A less stressed pregnant woman is a positive thing for both mom and baby.
Benefits of Postnatal Massage
Routine postnatal massage can be just as beneficial to the new mom following the delivery – again, with your OB/GYNs permission. Pregnancy takes a heavy toll on the mother’s body and often times the abdominal muscle tone is noticeably less than what it once was. Postnatal bodywork that includes specialized massage of the abdomen can help re-stimulate tonicity of the abdominal muscles. Postnatal massage can also be helpful in easing new aches and tensions from holding baby, and in reducing the general stress of being a mom by calming and soothing the nervous system.
Conclusion
In short, pre- and postnatal massage are a wonderful resource for mothers and moms-to-be! Prenatal bodywork is a specialized form of massage therapy designed to help mothers-in-waiting cope better with the challenges of pregnancy by relieving new aches and pains. Postnatal bodywork can help smooth the way for new moms by helping to restore the muscle tone of their bellies, destress, and reconnect with their bodies.
L+A Healing Studio welcomes new moms and moms-to-be to ease the way of motherhood by letting us help you find relief and renewed vigor!
For more detailed information on prenatal and postnatal massage, check out the following articles from MASSAGE Magazine:
By Towayn Heaven, LMT, LAc