PRENATAL MASSAGE

Prenatal massage is similar to regular massage – it aims to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good.

This massage is also customized to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, and therapists trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly.

POTENTIAL BENEFITS

  • alleviate back + leg pain

  • reduce labor pain during childbirth

  • lessen postoperative pain

  • reduce anxiety + stress

  • improve mood + lifting depression

  • ease insomnia

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  • Not true. Now more than ever your feet need relief from joint pressure and swelling. But there are acupressure points around the ankles and feet that, when actively and aggressively worked, can bring on contractions. This is handy during labor, but those specific places and techniques are carefully avoided until then. This is one of the many reasons to see a knowledgeable, therapist.

  • In most cases, no – even though some oils are generally recognized as safe to use during pregnancy, we err on the side of caution and choose not to use any. The chemical load from everyday life is such that we don’t think it is worth adding more. When approaching labor, we may use some labor supportive essential oils, and also very small quantities may be used for particular conditions during pregnancy. In general, we suggest it is best to avoid the use of essential oils on the skin during pregnancy

  • Absolutely! Studies have shown that, when you receive a relaxing prenatal massage, the body naturally secretes endorphins. These “feel good” hormones traverse the placenta and ultimately soothe and relax your baby

  • You may be relieved to know that in most cases, it is safe (and beneficial) to receive massage up to your due date. Many women schedule a session on their due date so they have something to look forward to if they have not yet gone into labor. A massage is a great way to prepare your body for the experience of giving birth. Women on bed rest should receive modified massage, (very light pressure on extremities and no abdominal massage), and you should always consult your doctor if you have special circumstances

  • Each woman and each pregnancy are different, so there is no standard answer to this question. If you are planning to use massage therapy as an integral part of your prenatal care we suggest once a month in the first trimester, twice a month in the second and third. If you are having a difficult pregnancy with back pain, sharp leg and hip pains or sleeplessness we recommend increasing your session to 90 minutes or coming once a week in the last trimester

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  • Yes. Athletic massage is proven to reduce recovery time, sometimes dramatically, by shortening the time it takes for injuries to heal, and makes the after effects “better”.

    Athletic Massage reduces the swelling and edema associated with soft tissue injuries. After a serious injury, it can also help form strong pliable scar tissue instead of the usual random stiff scar tissue, so that range of motion and tissue extensibility are maintained.

  • Anyone who plays sports or exercises a lot should receive a regular massage to improve their performance and prevent injuries.

  • This type of massage can be beneficial for your body in different ways at different times. For example:

    Before a sports event involves a technique to compress the muscles, warming them up to reduce tension and improve performance.

    After a sports event focuses on kneading the muscles to quickly reduce any soreness or muscle fatigue. This way you can recover quicker to be at your best and ready for the next game.

    At any other time uses more deep tissue techniques to help reduce muscle tightness/tension, assist recovery and prevent injury.

  • Having a specific massage before and/or after playing is one of the best ways to get the most benefit from your body, especially if you train frequently.

    If you’re feeling “tight”, have a “kink”, and/or you have a history of injuries, get one ASAP.

    If you end up injuring yourself, you’ll be watching from the sideline instead of playing and wished you had got one.

    For older athletes, or those in high-level competition, you should be getting one at least once a month to maximize your performance and keep away career-ending injuries.

  • Consider bringing athletic shorts and a top to allow for stretching and mobility exercises.