Massage Therapy is a wonderful complementary therapy as it helps you to relax simultaneously supporting your body during a period of physiological changes and helps prepare your body for birth.
During pregnancy the female body goes through many hormonal and physical changes including weight gain thus placing extra pressure on postural muscles, ligaments and joints especially when the belly starts to grow making sufficient space for the baby and it can often lead to discomfort or pain.
Most of the weight centres around the abdominal area often resulting in the woman’s centre of gravity shifting forward leading to compensatory changes to the natural curves of the spine becoming exaggerated especially in the lumbar spine region and is often the source of low back pain during pregnancy.
Some pregnancy ailments that may arise are restless legs, cramp, water retention, low back pain, hip and pelvis discomfort/pain and carpal tunnel symptoms. Massage is known to greatly help with alleviating some of these symptoms.
Pregnancy massage has shown to be of great benefit for addressing and alleviating many of the above symptoms simultaneously offering relaxation time and a chance to allow the mother-to-be time to completely relax, switch off, recharge and enjoy some pampering.
According to research stress levels experienced by the mother can affect and be felt by the unborn baby too. Pregnancy massage is known to aid relaxation and stimulate the production of the “feel good hormones” (Dopamine, Serotonin, Oxytocin, Endorphins and Prolactin) this not only aids relaxation for the mother but indirectly relaxes the baby too.
Pregnancy massage is performed in side-lying position or seated from the second trimester with bolsters and cushions to aid comfort.
Treatments are suitable for all trimesters although for first trimester massage consent from your midwife or GP is required.