Blog Layout

Pregnancy Massage: What You Need to Know

April 8, 2022

What is Pregnancy Massage?


Pregnancy massage is a soothing and balancing massage that is designed to ease the aches and pains caused by changes in posture, joint strain and muscle tension during pregnancy.


Prenatal massage should only be carried out by a trained professional and at Leamington Spa’s
Therapy and Fitness Centre, our experienced massage therapists have been delivering pregnancy massages for nearly a decade.


When is it Safe to Get a Pregnancy Massage?


It is generally considered safe to get a pregnancy massage from the second trimester as long as it has been approved by a medical professional.


Why Should I Get a Pregnancy Massage?


Prenatal massage comes with a wide range of benefits for pregnant women including:


  • Improved circulation and oxygenation of muscles and soft tissues
  • Reduced stress and muscle tension
  • Release of dopamine which is known to improve the health and wellbeing of both the mum and her baby
  • Sciatic pain release


At every stage of pregnancy, you should seek a pregnancy massage over alternatives as it uses gentler techniques and is tailored to the individual mother’s needs making it much safer than a regular massage.


Pregnancy Massage Techniques 


Pregnancy massage can be a mixture of deep tissue, Swedish and sciatic techniques depending on the needs of the individual mother. They will usually consist of sweeping motions over the muscles or gentle stretches aimed at realignment of joints and ligaments to improve ease of mobility.


Always consult with a medical professional before contacting a massage therapist during pregnancy so they can create a massage plan that is safe for you.


What are the Benefits of Pregnancy Massage?

What is Pregnancy Massage? Pregnancy massage is a soothing and balancing massage that is designed to ease the aches and pains caused by changes in posture, joint strain and muscle tension during pregnancy.   Prenatal massage should only be carried out by a trained professional and at Leamington Spa’s Therapy and Fitness Centre, our experienced massage therapists have been delivering pregnancy massages for nearly a decade.  When is it Safe to Get a Pregnancy Massage?  It is generally considered safe to get a pregnancy massage from the second trimester as long as it has been approved by a medical professional.  Why Should I Get a Pregnancy Massage? Prenatal massage comes with a wide range of benefits for pregnant women including:  Improved circulation and oxygenation of muscles and soft tissues Reduced stress and muscle tension  Release of dopamine which is known to improve the health and wellbeing of both the mum and her baby Sciatic pain release   At every stage of pregnancy, you should seek a pregnancy massage over alternatives as it uses gentler techniques and is tailored to the individual mother’s needs making it much safer than a regular massage.  Pregnancy Massage Techniques  Pregnancy massage can be a mixture of deep tissue, Swedish and sciatic techniques depending on the needs of the individual mother. They will usually consist of sweeping motions over the muscles or gentle stretches aimed at realignment of joints and ligaments to improve ease of mobility.   Always consult with a medical professional before contacting a massage therapist during pregnancy so they can create a massage plan that is safe for you.  What are the Benefits of Pregnancy Massage?

Pregnancy massage helps prevent:


  • Backache and pelvic joint pain
  • Constipation
  • High blood pressure
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Insomnia
  • Stretch marks
  • Swollen ankles
  • Sciatic nerve pain
  • Muscle tension


When is Massage Not Safe During Pregnancy?


Massage therapists may be reluctant to carry out pregnancy massage during the first trimester due to the increased risk of miscarriage, but this depends on the mother’s needs. Similarly, massage therapists may wish to avoid massaging women who are experiencing morning sickness as massage can trigger dizziness at this time.


If your practitioner has advised against pregnancy massage for any reason, then it is important to listen. If pain persists, then consider asking them for alternative methods of pain relief.


Massage During Labour  


Massage has been known to vastly reduce the stress caused by labour, and some midwives will encourage your partner to deliver massage during this time.


Every woman is different, so if you wish for a massage during labour, or the massage is making you uncomfortable, it is important to communicate this with your midwife or partner.


Should you wish to enquire about the pregnancy massage services at Leamington Spa’s Therapy and Fitness Centre, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.


Sign up to our newsletter to receive £5 off your first treatment.

 

01926 833003 | info@leamingtontherapycentre.co.uk

By Lisa Moore June 13, 2024
The second time in a row Lisa has been announced as a finalist in the Ladies First Health and Wellbeing category at this years awards ceremony which will be held at the Dallas Burston Polo Club on Thursday 13th June. Last year Lisa won the award which was held at Coombe Abbey Hotel. Will Lisa hold the title for the second year?
By Lisa Moore June 13, 2024
Join us every 3rd Tuesday of the month for Bev and her Heart Meditation Drumming Circle from 7pm for beginners and 8.15pm for those who have attended at least twice before. Become more connected with your heart and practice the ancient art of heart beat meditation. Unlocking lower stress levels, conscious breathing and a better nights sleep along with an art of drumming. The heart holds the key to unlocking your true potential.  Daf drums, (Frame drums) provided. Join us as we focus on the heart for a £5 - £10 donation to cover expenses and any additional goes to charity. To book your place click HERE .
By Lisa Moore February 11, 2024
Our last Mind, Body & Soul event was such a success its back!
By Lisa Moore November 1, 2023
Connect mind and body through breath, movement and sweat.
By Lisa Moore September 28, 2023
Chiropodist or a Foot Health Practitioner: What is the difference?
Injury Prevention Techniques
March 30, 2023
Therapy and Fitness Centre have outlined in this guide, you will avoid causing long-term, career ending injuries such as strains, torn ligaments and muscles.
How to Relieve Tension in Your Neck
January 19, 2023
At Therapy and Fitness Centre, we’ve put together a guide on how you can ease, prevent and eliminate long-term neck tension before it progresses.
September 28, 2022
Whether you’re struggling with the symptoms of everyday stress, or are experiencing a big change in your life that is activating feelings of anxiety, it can have an adverse affect on your emotional and physical wellbeing. When your mind is in turmoil, it can be difficult to figure out how to diffuse the feelings of stress, so why not try taking the focus off the things you can’t control, and instead concentrate on the things you can. At Leamington Therapy and Fitness Centre , we’ve put together this list of our top 8 stress relievers to help you relax.
September 6, 2022
Where is fascia located in the body? Fascia is a sheath of stringy connective tissue that surrounds every part of your body. It provides support to your muscles, tendons, ligaments, tissues, organs, nerves, joints and bones. Does massage help fascia? Massage therapists can help with a technique called Myofascial Release that uses sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. Cupping therapy is another technique that stretches and lengthen fascia with the use of vacuum cups. What does fascia massage do? Fascial release therapies are known to increase tissue flexibility and joint mobility. Massage therapists can help with a technique called Myofascial Release that uses sustained pressure to loosen and lengthen constricted fascia. How is myofascial release performed? Using light, manual pressure, your therapist will massage and stretch the trigger point, sometimes holding that point for a few minutes. Your therapist may repeat this process a few times on each trigger point they find, until they feel a full release. What can I expect from myofascial release? Myofascial release can be an intense experience. During a session, a massage therapist will massage, knead and gently stretch the muscles and fascia to work out knots. This bodywork technique also involves applying pressure to the tight or sore areas to get them to relax. What should I expect after a myofascial massage? You may feel tired or relaxed after your myofascial massage, however, most people experience an immediate feeling of relief. Aches and pains are common for for around 24 hours after your treatment as the body flushes the toxins that have been released out. What are the benefits of myofascial release? Myofascial release offers a host of benefits to your health and well-being, including: Reduces soreness and improves tissue recovery. Improves neuromuscular efficiency. Increases blood flow. Maintains normal functional muscular length. Improves joint range of motion. Decreases overall effects of stress on the body. What is the difference between myofascial release and massage? First of all, they each have a different focus. Massage works with soft tissue and the overall system of muscles in the body to relieve stress and tension. Myofascial release works specifically with the connective tissue (fascia) to relieve the tightness that causes muscle restrictions. What does myofascial massage feel like? During a massage treatment, when we stretch this tight tissue you could feel a burning sensation. This is a myofascial release sensation and is generally short lived and quite normal, but not felt by everyone. What happens when fascia is tight? Healthy fascia is smooth and flexible. However, when the body undergoes physical trauma, such as muscle injuries or surgery, the fascia is placed under stress and tightens up, causing muscle pain. What causes fascia pain? Factors that cause fascia to become gummy and crinkle up (called adhesion) include: A lifestyle of limited physical activity (too little movement day after day) Repetitive movement that overworks one part of the body. Trauma such as surgery or injury. What can damage fascia? Accidents, abnormal posture, repetitive movements, overextension injuries, or inactivity can all lead to fascial damage. What does damaged fascia feel like? However, when the fascia is damaged through injury, overuse, or dehydration it often has a domino effect, causing a series of painful symptoms to appear over time. You may experience stiffness, reduced range of motion, and increasing chronic pain. How long does it take for fascia to heal? Most injury to fascia heals within a six to eight weeks period. Occasionally chronic inflammation and pain affect fascia. This may cause problems such as painful movement or fibromyalgia. What makes myofascial pain worse? Myofascial pain may worsen if it is left untreated for a prolonged period of time. Additionally, you may also feel more pain if the trigger point or affected muscle is strained or stretched. What happens if myofascial pain syndrome is left untreated? Untreated, the myofascial pain syndrome leads to a reduced extensibility of the involved muscle with consecutive decrease of the range of motion and development of a muscular imbalance resulting in a disturbance of complex movement and evolution of a chronic pain disease. Should you exercise after myofascial release? Many therapists recommend clients avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours after a bodywork session. Exercising after a session can both increase muscle soreness and compromise the value of the soft-tissue work you've just received. What happens to fascia as we age? As you age, your body produces less and less collagen. This has a dramatic effect on the fascia throughout your body. With less collagen, the fascia starts to dry out and tighten. It becomes restrictive, making it more difficult for the body to move efficiently. Can tight fascia cause nerve pain? As fascia stiffens through adhesion, fascia—rich in nerve endings in and of itself—can entrap surrounding nerves, leading to radiculopathy and a host of painful consequences. Who should avoid myofascial release? Contraindications for MFR include – but are not limited to – those with malignancy, aneurysm, acute rheumatoid arthritis, advanced diabetes, severe osteoporosis, and healing fractures. Your physical therapist can help determine whether or not MFR is an appropriate course of treatment for you. Can you do myofascial release on yourself? SMFR methods do not require the assistance of a physical therapist or fitness professional but can be performed by the individual itself and are considered an effective rehabilitation tool. Can you overdo foam rolling? When it comes to foam rolling, yes, you can overdo it. Excessively using a foam roller on a specific area can increase injuries and leave you in more pain. Instead, limit foam rolling to 30 to 90 seconds per muscle group and include 10 seconds stretching in between each roll.
How to Improve Posture
August 5, 2022
The most common cause for bad posture is a slouched seating position. With most of us working at a desk all day, it can be difficult to mindfully correct posture, and it may feel uncomfortable at first.
More Posts
Share by: