The 411 on Maternity Massages
Sometimes it feels like the whole world has baby on the brain. As we watch some of our favorite celebrities seemingly effortlessly navigate pregnancy while maintaining insanely busy schedules (i.e. Beyoncé, Hilary Duff, Jennifer Garner), many non-famous moms-to-be are left wondering “how do they do it?!” While we can only imagine the luxuries that these celeb mom-to-bes are privileged to, we would bet big money that prenatal (or maternity massages) rank highly on their lists of must-haves. So, what exactly are maternity massages? Look no further, my friends. We have the 411 on everything you need to know about maternity massages.
What is a Maternity Massage?
The maternity massage is specifically designed to help relieve the stress and tension caused by pregnancy. This gentle massage utilizes a specially designed table in addition to specially designed pregnancy pillows for added comfort during the massage, allowing the therapist to focus on relieving lower back discomfort and fatigue. While a majority of the massage focuses on the back area, the massage therapist also provides relief for tired arms, legs, and feet.
In addition to simply relieving tired muscles, maternity massages provide a slew of other benefits. According to the American Pregnancy Association, “Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.” And if that is not enough to convince you to treat yourself to a maternity massage, other potential benefits of prenatal massage therapy include:
- Hormone regulation,
- Reduction in swelling,
- Improvement of nerve pain,
- Improved circulation,
- Reduced edema, and (possibly most important of all)
- Better sleep!
The maternity massage is exclusive for those who have successfully completed their first trimester and who have been cleared by their physicians. Those who have met this criteria are able to get maternity massages up until their estimated due date.
Have you ever had a maternity massage?
