Attending to the unique needs of expectant mothers is the goal of every pregnancy massage. Certified pregnancy massage therapists are specially trained to tailor their massage techniques to help alleviate common pregnancy complaints and to protect both mother and child during the massage.
Pregnancy massage is unique in its application. During the massage, the expectant mother is carefully supported by cushions and pillows in order to provide superior comfort and to protect her and the baby from strain or injury. Pregnancy massage is especially gentle, and deep tissue techniques are never used as a safety precaution. Many areas of the body are avoided during pregnancy massage to protect mother and child and extra attention is given to areas of the body that are particularly affected by pregnancy, like the feet and back. To protect mother and baby, pregnancy massage is not advised during the first trimester, but can provide welcome relief later on, especially during the last few months of pregnancy.
The benefits of pregnancy massage are numerous. The gentle kneading massage can be supremely comforting both physically and emotionally to an expectant mother, and the psychological benefit itself can be quite therapeutic. In addition to stress and anxiety reduction, pregnancy massage can help reduce expectant mothers’ common aches and annoyances, like swollen ankles and lower back pain.
