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Easing Pregnancy Aches & Pains

Even with all the joys that come with your pregnancy, it can actually be a painful and uncomfortable time for some women. Let’s face it, your body will be going through hell over the next nine months, from back pains, headaches, sore feet, hormones and so much more.

Possibly the worst of it all is that in most cases there is not much you can actually do about it. Or is there?

Prenatal massage. Those two little words will possibly save you from feeling those common little aches and pains throughout your pregnancy.

Is prenatal massage different from regular massage?

Yes it is! Prenatal massage focuses on the needs of mothers to be, even though it does share some of the same goals of regular massage. Some of those goals are:

To relax tense muscles
Ease sore and painful trouble spots
Increase circulation and mobility
Help you sleep better and just make you feel better

How do you lie on the table with your big stomach?

I’m sure that this will be one of your primary concerns, especially if you are a little further down the line with your pregnancy. After all, you don’t want to have to be lying on your stomach and putting that extra pressure on your baby.

In most cases prenatal massage therapists use a special table or pad with hollowed out areas for your stomach and breasts, which means that you are in fact able to lie face down without placing any pressure on you or your baby.

If a prenatal massage therapists does not have a special table then she will get you to lie on your side, usually on a very comfortable pillow.

What kinds of pain can prenatal massage help ease?

Prenatal massage can do wonders for all the aches and pains that you may feel throughout your pregnancy and it will also help you feel so much more relaxed. From headaches to neck tension and sore shoulder muscles, sore feet, back pain, you just about name it, it will fix it, or at least do wonders to help relieve them!

I know right now you are probably saying “This has to be too good to be true”, but what can I say, it isn't!  There are not enough ice packs and heat packs in the world to compare with the difference a good prenatal massage therapist will make for you.

How do you find a good massage therapist?

One thing is for sure, finding the right therapist is more than half your problem solved. After all, they will all have their own strengths and weaknesses, so the key is to find the one which suits your needs. The best way to go about it is to speak to your friends who may be pregnant, ask for recommendations from your doctor and hospital.

Other options include the American Massage Therapy Association, which has an online nationwide referral system for the United States and Canada.

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