DETAILS
About Pregnancy Massage
What is Pregnancy Massage?
Pregnancy massage is a lovely holistic treatment to help you relax and take time out for yourself. Did you know that 48-56% of pregnant women suffer from lower back & pelvic pain due to altered posture from the increased weight of the uterus & growing foetus?
When can I have a massage?
Pregnancy massage is safe from 12 weeks onwards (2nd trimester) & is safe throughout pregnancy. However, you should always check with your midwife before having a treatment.
Positioning -
There are a number of ways to recieve treatment and they can be tailored for your comfort. Seated massage is a lovely way to have the whole back & neck treated. Lying on your left side is also possible & this position avoids excess pressure on the aorta. This avoids dizziness & provides optimum flow of blood to the uterus. The use of pillows & towels provide plenty of padding, comfort & privacy.
What areas can be treated?
Massage can be tailored to your requirements and can include back, neck & shoulders or include full body with legs, feet, arms, hands & bump. Longer massage strokes are used to aid relaxation, deeper work is avoided to keep blood pressure, heart rate & breathing rate down.
How can it help?
Relaxation -
Massage can help give an improved sense of wellbeing. This in turn calms down the sympathetic nervous system, lowers stress, reduces blood pressure & releases those feel good endorphins to aid restful sleep.
Aches & pains -
Massage can bring relief from general aches & pains caused by the growing baby and the natural changes your body goes through. This includes reducing neck tension that can cause headaches and reducing stress on weight bearing joints & surrounding soft tissues.
Reduce swelling -
Massage has an effect on the lymphatic & circulatory system and when used correctly, can help to reduce swelling (oedema) in the feet, legs & hands. This is more common in the 2nd & 3rd trimester but always check with your midwife before booking in for a treatment.
Improve skin pliability -
The use of skin softening waxes & oils may help to improve skin tightness & the underlying tissues. This can be especially beneficial when applied to the bump, which can feel uncomfortably tight in the later stages.
Meet the team
Sarah Jones
Angeliki Faita
