How Massage Can Help When You’re Pregnant
When you’re pregnant, your body is going through a lot of changes. These changes can often lead to new types of aches and pains. From the swelling in your legs and ankles to the uncomfortable positions you have to get into to get a moment’s rest, it can be a downright uncomfortable nine months. Many expecting moms are looking for the best way to ease those pains and the solution may be more natural than you think.
Massage therapy is a great way to help with many of the chronic problems associated with pregnancy. As with anything during pregnancy, there are special considerations to factor into any treatment you try. Here’s how you can benefit from massage therapy during your pregnancy.
Find the Right Massage Therapist
If you’re pregnant and considering getting a massage, it’s important you find the right massage therapist. Not everyone who is listed as offering massage has been specially trained to deal with the issues related to pregnancy. That’s why it is important to ask for the massage therapist’s credentials so you can determine if they are trained in providing pre-natal massage. Another good way to find a licensed massage therapist with special training is to ask your personal physician. Many doctors can make recommendations regarding local massage therapists.
What Are the Benefits?
So what exactly can massage therapy help you with? One of the most obvious benefits is alleviating muscle aches and swollen, painful joints, especially in the ankles and knees. Massage also brings an overall feeling of relaxation and has been found to reduce depression and anxiety.
Regular massages can also help regulate hormones by reducing your cortisol levels that affect your stress. Therapeutic massage can also increase your production of dopamine and serotonin, which are like natural antidepressants to help you beat the pregnancy blues.
Because massages help to ease joint tension and relax muscles, it can also help to ease and relax the pelvis, helping it to stay more in alignment with the rest of your body. Some studies have pointed to the possibility that this will help ease complications during birth and make the experience a little bit easier.
If you are pregnant and interested in visiting a licensed massage therapist, make sure to talk to your physician first. Generally, massage is not a good idea for those with high-risk pregnancies or women in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. However, if your doctor gives you the thumbs up, consider it lovely way to ease your aches and pains.