It’s no secret that pregnancy is both physically and mentally stressful on a mother. The stress is compounded when living in a busy and bustling city like New York City. Special massage therapy for both pregnant and postpartum women can decrease stress and anxiety levels (similar to exercising with a personal trainer), as well as decrease the muscle pain and the likelihood of muscle injury. Prenatal and postnatal massage includes Swedish massage and deep tissue massage. Check the location of a massage therapy clinic in the Upper West Side.
Expecting and postpartum mothers are under a lot of stress from their changing bodies, but the good news is that science shows that prenatal massage therapy is actually healthy for both you and your coming baby. It’s especially important in hectic cities like New York. Here is what you need to know about the benefits of pregnancy massage therapy.
That means you can relax and enjoy a healthy dose of you time and it’s a good thing!
Here are the benefits according to the latest research:
Decreased risk of anxiety and depression.
Regulates important hormones such as cortisol, norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.
Lowers cortisol levels in expectant and postpartum mothers as well as their babies.
Relief for muscle and joint pain, especially low back and legs.
Relief from sciatica symptoms often experienced during the third trimester when the expanding uterus puts excessive pressure on pelvic floor, lumbar and sacrum structures.
Increase of blood circulation and thus reduce swollen joints and edema in the lower legs.
Decrease of fetal over-activity.
Decreases the risk of premature births.
Lower incidence of underweight newborns.
Enhances fetal growth and development.
On average a 3 hours shorter and less painful labor and less need for medication during childbirth.
With so many benefits, it is no wonder that prenatal massage has become so popular. For more information, see OnYourMark.nyc.
But in order for any woman to experience the many benefits of prenatal massage and protect their health and the health of their babies, it is vital you receive massage services from licensed and certified experts.
These experts should be attentive, experienced and compassionate therapists who can listen to your unique needs while incorporating proven modalities and body positioning techniques to help you maximize the many benefits that prenatal massage can offer.
“Massage therapy has been demonstrated to be effective during pregnancy. Women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Cortisol levels decreased and, in turn, excessive fetal activity decreased, and the rate of prematurity was lower in the massage group. In a study of labor pain, women who received massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication.” National Institute of Health
You can find out more about certified prenatal massage therapy here.
Prenatal and postnatal massage therapy usually include Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, Acupressure and Lymphatic Drainage. The specific modalities, amount of pressure and body positioning during each session will depend on which trimester you’re in and on your preferences, needs, goals and specific medical profile. So definitely be sure to discuss if massage therapy is right for you with your healthcare provider or OBGYN.
This will ensure that your massage therapist can take all the necessary precautions and provide a better, healthier service to you and your child. It will enable your massage therapist to accurately provide the optimal body positioning, use of cushions, type of massage, areas to avoid and any contraindications or red flags to look out for.
Be sure to find an excellent massage therapist with great reviews, lots of experience, and the right qualifications. If you live in New York City or are near the Manhattan area, we recommend OnYourMark.nyc.
What to Expect in Each Trimester:
First Trimester
Again, consult with your massage therapist before moving forward with prenatal massage therapy. From there, you’ll want to find a licensed therapist who you’ll develop a great relationship with throughout and after your pregnancy.
In the first trimester your therapist should be going easy on the pressure. This is to get a feel for your sensitivities as well as to avoid triggering unwanted symptoms as your body begins to go through changes.
If this is your first pregnancy then be sure to communicate that so your therapist can take extra precautions.
Second Trimester
The second trimester often has the least number of complications, though you may experience joint pain or discomfort at this time. An experienced massage therapist will be able to help you relieve the stress and any pain you feel as well as accommodate any number of unpredictable occurrences.
Massage therapy during this period can help mitigate the symptoms that often accompany chronically tight muscles and increased pressure on ligaments, nerves and joints.
Third Trimester
As sleep becomes inconstant and difficult, the growing baby puts more stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and nerves, as the legs begin to swell with regularity, and as the stress of childbirth and motherhood approach, prenatal massage can be a godsend.
The third trimester is when the expectant mother’s body really begins to change, from an orthopedic and musculoskeletal standpoint. And so this is when deep tissue massage can be especially valuable. While it is not possible to avoid these intense body shape changes, it is possible to get some relief from them with a great massage therapy session.
Throughout each trimester, proper cushioning and body positioning is key, so be sure to find an amazing massage therapist who can help you during this wonderful and difficult period.
For a licensed and experienced prenatal massage therapist, visit OnYourMark.nyc.