Pregnancy is a beautiful time in a woman’s life, but it also brings with it huge changes – physically, mentally and emotionally. You’re no longer just looking after one person but nurturing and nourishing the little being inside of you. It’s so important in the months of your pregnancy to make sure you are looking after yourself, after all if you are healthy and happy you’re in the best position for managing pregnancy and motherhood.
Here are my top five reasons to get a pregnancy massage:
1. Muscular Relief
The body goes through huge changes during pregnancy, your posture changes to accommodate for the growing life inside of you and this can cause strain on the muscles and joints which can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful. With different muscles being stretched or tightened, it can sometimes be tricky to manage this while you’re also managing a growing belly! Massage is able to target any problem areas and work out any tension in a gentle but effective way.
2. Reduce Stress and Anxiety
If you’re feeling anxious about becoming a new parent you’re not alone! Massage works effectively on the body’s nervous system and increases the body’s levels of oxytocin and serotonin, which results in lowered stress levels. It can also lower your blood pressure and uplift your mood. Take some time to unwind and bring balance back.
3. Reduce Swelling and Fluid Retention
Your blood volume increases up to 40% when you’re pregnant and this can cause a stress on the lymphatic system, resulting in fluid retention. This is where lymphatic drainage comes in as it targets edema specifically. A very gentle yet highly effective treatment, it manually moves the fluid around the body, draining it into the main ducts to bring relief from swelling. It’s also an incredibly relaxing treatment so you’ll also walk out feeling light and rested.
4. Improve Sleep
In my third trimester I could not get comfortable in bed! I found my hips would cramp up during the night and wake me and the only relief would be to get up and have a little stretch. I started having weekly massages to manage the tension and this greatly reduced the cramps and therefore helped with my sleep. And let’s face it, we want to get in as many hours under the duvet as we can before the sleepless nights arrive!
5. Relaxation and Some ‘Me Time’
When I was a new mum, I hadn’t anticipated how little time I’d have to myself once my daughter arrived. The constant demand to support this tiny human and keep them safe meant I had very little ‘me time’ and even when I did get some time to myself I found it very hard to relax. I found taking an hour to enjoy a massage was hugely beneficial, I was able to switch off and reset. And bub also gets some extra bonding time with Dad or other family members.
At pH Clinic we offer pregnancy massage (we have a pregnancy cushion so the option to lie on your front if you’re belly isn’t too big!) and lymphatic drainage. Our therapists are fully qualified and trained to the highest standards and each treatment is tailored to your individual needs. They will be able to recommend the best approach for you, plus offer support and aftercare following your treatment. It is recommended to wait until your second trimester to receive a pregnancy massage, please let us know how many weeks pregnant you are when booking.
We offer massage on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, if you have any questions or need advice on which treatment is right for you, please call us on 0420 644 852. You can also book online.
This article is written by our talented massage therapist Hannah. Hannah uses an integrated approach to massage, specialising in:
- Deep tissue/sports massage
- Myofascial release
- Stretching techniques and joint mobilisation
- Lymphatic drainage
- Relaxation massage
- Pregnancy massage
Hannah is a fully qualified Remedial Massage Therapist with AMT (Association of Massage Therapists) accreditation. Health fund rebates are also available for massage treatments with Hannah. Hannah works every second Sunday.
