Wednesday 4 April 2012

Pregnancy and Massage Therapy Q & A


Q: Is prenatal massage therapy beneficial?
A: Yes it is. Massage during pregnancy helps relieve stress and promotes relaxation. Massage during pregnancy relieves muscle spasms, cramping and myofascial pain. Massage therapy relieves headache discomfort and increases circulation of blood. You should experience reduced back and joint pain, reduced swelling, muscle tension and headaches, stress and anxiety. You will notice the improved circulation and better sleep at night.

Q: How does a pregnant person lie on the massage table?
A:
Many women find it very uncomfortable to lie face down because their breasts are swollen and quite tender and may be afraid to lie down on their stomach. At our clinic, we provide full pregnancy cushions to ensure you are comfortable, able to lie face down, and fully benefit from a prenatal massage. Lying flat on your back may not be a good idea if you are in your 2nd and 3rd trimester. This is because your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your leg to your heart. It is possible to lie on your side, just let your massage therapist know of this during your consultation.

Q: What if my joints are painful or I am too swollen?
A:
You definitely should book an appointment because massage therapy relieves stress on weight-bearing joints. Swelling of the joints during pregnancy, also called edema, is usually caused by reduced circulation and pressure on the major blood vessels since the uterus is very heavy. Stimulating soft tissue with massage reduces the fluids in the swollen joints.

Q: Should I still consider massage therapy if I have a high-risk pregnancy?
A:
You should always speak to your family doctor, or your health care specialist, if you suffer from the following conditions: Pre-eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension, high-risk pregnancy, if you have just recently given birth, if you had a previous pre-term labour, or if you are experiencing severe swelling, high blood pressure, or severe headaches.

Q: Is a registered massage therapist and a masseuse at a spa the same thing?
A:
No. Registered massage therapists have received training in specific pregnancy needs including body areas that are sensitive. Our clinic consists of 4 female massage therapists who have been trained with different types of pregnancies. It is best to be treated by a registered massage than to seek a massage at a spa.



Q: After a massage, should I take a hot bath or consider soaking myself in a hot tub?
A:
We would never suggest taking a hot bath, soaking in a hot tub, getting a hot body wrap, or enjoying time in a sauna. Being pregnant, you may overheat yourself which can be problematic for you and your baby. 


To book a prenatal massage with one of our professionally trained registered massage therapists, please call the office at 604.850.2511

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