Massage therapy during pregnancy is a wonderful complementary choice for prenatal care. It is a healthy way to reduce stress and promote overall wellness. Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts experienced during pregnancy, such as backaches, stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches and edema (or swelling).
Relief of Everyday Symptoms
Massage for pregnant women offers a number of benefits, and it's always a good idea to discuss with your therapist any everyday symptoms you'd like to see relieved.
Those might include:
Headaches can be relieved by massage focusing on the head, neck and shoulders.
Muscle tension created by carrying the extra weight of a baby can be relieved by encouraging blood flow to the afflicted areas. This provides more nutrient-rich oxygen and also increases the flow of lymphatic fluid, which sweeps away toxins and metabolic waste.
Fatigue, backaches, leg cramps and swelling/edema can all be relieved through various types of massage for pregnant women. The ordinary aches and pains of pregnancy are countered by the release of serotonin, your body's natural anti-pain chemical, which is stimulated by massage.
These posts are the opinions of the author based on experience and research but do not constitute medical advice. Please seek medical advice if your symptoms continue, deteriorate or you experience any other symptoms.