Do’s and Don’ts of Massage during Pregnancy
By: Adonis GreenTotal Views: 608, Word Count: 562,
Being pregnant is a new terrain for new mothers, so you are bound to get all kinds of advice from various people, even those whom you are not familiar with. Some are funny, while others are absurd and still some possibly appropriate. There are some things that you must practice and some you should avoid doing totally during the course of your pregnancy, especially in the case of massage. A little sacrifice now could bring you a gift of a lifetime. There are some dos and don’ts of massage during pregnancy which you have to follow.
According to Diane Kelley, a certified prenatal massage therapist, massage therapy not only helps to ease discomfort experienced throughout pregnancy, but also makes the transition from pre to postnatal more soothing. Rising in popularity among expectant mothers, prenatal massage helps in relieving joint pain, muscle tension and hormonal changes if they follow all the do’s and don’ts of massage during pregnancy.
Following points should be considered before going for any types of massage during pregnancy:
- Always discuss with your physician before proceeding with any sort of massage.
- Don’t apply direct and constant pressure to the area between the ankle bone and heel. As this area is connected to the uterus and vagina, heavy pressure to this area could result in early labor pains.
- When looking for a postpartum or pregnancy massage therapist, make sure that the therapist is certified in pregnancy massage. The therapist must have undergone special training and should know exactly what is safe for the mother and baby. Just being a massage therapist doesn’t necessarily mean that he/she is capable enough to give massage to postpartum and pregnant women. So it’s advisable to look for a trained pregnancy massage therapist.
- Positioning of the pregnant woman during a massage is significant to the safety and wellbeing of the mother and the baby. The same is taken into account as to which parts of the body should be massaged and which not.
- Never perform massage of any kind during the first three months of pregnancy.
- Avoid massaging on the lower back or the abdomen or if necessary, do it very lightly.
- Do not massage near the varicose veins as this rule is followed by most massage therapists.
- During pregnancy, do not use certain oils. Always check with your physician as some oils are destructive during pregnancy.
- Be very gentle when massaging a pregnant woman. Never use deep pressure and percussive strokes.
- Avoid certain forms of massage therapy unless your doctor recommends one. Some massages might suit some women, while some might not. Always stick to those limitations set by your doctor.
- Even though it has its benefits, it’s vital to remember that massage can also lead to miscarriage if done wrongly. It’s imperative for massage therapist to know how to massage a pregnant woman properly. The risk of miscarriage is very high if prenatal massage is not done properly.
All the expected mothers can certainly have a good and normal child birth if they follow all the above do’s and don’ts of massage during pregnancy in a proper way.
About the Author
Adonis Green is a renowned massage therapist and has been in this field for the last 15 yrs. He has worked in all aspects of this field. He taught at the Dahan Institute of Massage studies for a few years and then went on to open his own spa. Today his spa is quite famous among many people including celebrities. He has helped heal many injuries of people through his unique massage techniques. His advices on any massage related queries will surely prove beneficial for anyone.
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