The Benefits of Prenatal Massage Therapy
It goes without saying that during pregnancy, women undergo several physiological and anatomical changes that become more prominent as the pregnancy progresses. These changes often bring about pain, muscle or joint pain being the most common. (1) Massage therapy has been shown to greatly reduce muscular tension and pain and has been shown to safely do this in women at any stage of pregnancy. Alternative and complementary therapies like massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy have been shown to have fewer risks and complications to your and your baby's health than drug-therapy approaches to pain.
If you are currently experiencing low back pain, grab a yoga mat or a soft carpet, grab a pillow for your head, and watch this 20-minute video on 5 simple exercises you can do to find some relief.
CAN MASSAGE THERAPY HELP WITH FERTILITY ISSUES?
Massage therapy is widely known for its stress-reducing effects, and while dealing with fertility challenges can cause a great deal of stress, there is, at the time of this writing, no direct evidence that suggests that stress can impact fertility. However, we do know that stress can be a contributing factor in hormone imbalance due to high levels of stress hormones in the body. Taking this into account, it is also important to pay attention to your diet and know if you are getting adequate nutrients to support a healthy pregnancy. Smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee consumption, and physical activity are also factors that can affect pregnancy outcomes.
DRUG VS. ALTERNATIVE PAIN TREATMENTS FOR PREGNANCY
There is a lot of research on drug therapies for pain during pregnancy, although there are many adverse events associated with these. Meanwhile, there is less research on the efficacy of alternative and complementary therapies for pregnancy, but they are generally considered safe, such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and yoga.
Aspirin and NSAIDs (Advil) are typically contraindicated during pregnancy, meaning they are not recommended. (2) Additionally, Acetaminophen (Tylenol) taken during pregnancy has recently been linked to a higher risk of autism spectrum disorders in males and adverse effects on attention-related outcomes in both genders. (3)
If you are taking any medications, you should always talk to your healthcare provider before making any changes. This is general information and should not be taken as advice for your personal situation.
PREGNANCY MASSAGE
Prenatal massage therapy involves a variety of techniques delivered by a skilled massage therapist to address pain and tension, such as headaches, neck pain, upper back pain, trouble breathing, low back pain, leg pain, foot pain, ankle pain, and tense muscles that commonly occur during pregnancy.
Massage therapy specifically tailored to pregnant moms offers comfortable and safe positions for moms, typically side-lying or reclined. There are special bolsters (pillows) that some therapists use that allow for the mother to lay face down, as these bolsters have cutouts to safely accommodate your baby/belly. In addition, massage therapy has been shown to reduce labor pain and increase satisfaction with birth. (4)
POSTPARTUM MASSAGE
Massage therapy during the postpartum period may also be offered with these modified positions in mind, especially if C-section wounds are still being healed and the mother cannot lay face down quite yet.
According to the American Pregnancy Association, "Postpartum massage has been shown to be effective for a quicker recovery and better health. Integration of maternal bodywork may add welcome value to your healing journey and transition to motherhood." (5) Many new mothers want some time for themselves and wish to have someone watch their baby while she receives a postpartum massage, but if you'd like to bring your newborn, simply ask your therapist if newborns are welcome. Therapists can often accommodate newborns on their tables in addition to moms. Several therapists may be skilled in baby massage and can teach you how to massage your baby for healthy circulation and skin care.
I hope that you've gleaned a bit of information that will help you decide on whether or not you will receive a massage during this beautiful transition period from preconception to postpartum. Take care, and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to us to see if you'd like to come in and receive a massage treatment from a licensed massage therapist who specializes in prenatal massage.
References
Fiat F, Merghes PE, Scurtu AD, Almajan Guta B, Dehelean CA, Varan N, Bernad E. The Main Changes in Pregnancy—Therapeutic Approach to Musculoskeletal Pain. Medicina. 2022; 58(8):1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58081115
Shah, S., Banh, E. T., Koury, K., Bhatia, G., Nandi, R., & Gulur, P. (2015). Pain Management in Pregnancy: Multimodal Approaches. Pain Research and Treatment, 2015, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/987483
Claudia B Avella-Garcia, Jordi Julvez, et, Acetaminophen use in pregnancy and neurodevelopment: attention function and autism spectrum symptoms, International Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 45, Issue 6, December 2016, Pages 1987–1996, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyw115
Unalmis Erdogan, S., Yanikkerem, E., & Goker, A. (2017). Effects of low back massage on perceived birth pain and satisfaction. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice, 28, 169–175. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2017.05.016
Postpartum Massage. (2021, December 9). American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/postpartum-massage/
