Pregnancy
The changes can be taxing, but massage therapy can offer assistance in adapting to it.
Unlike most massage situations, it is advisable for pregnant women to lie on their side during the sessions. Pillows are used to make things more comfortable, and to prevent any excess pressure on the developing fetus.
Massage can help alleviate a number of effects. These include the headaches and swelling associated with pregnancy. It can also help reduce stress and aching muscles.
For pregnant women, the best massage options are therapeutic and Swedish. Many also report feeling better after a remedial massage session. IASTM can also help for pregnant women who experience difficulty moving around during later stages.
Venous return is the amount of blood that returns to the heart. This allows it to be reoxygenated, helping keep the body performing properly.
With poor venous return, you get poor circulation and all the related effects. The better the rate of return, the healthier the flow to the muscles. Massage accomplishes this by applying pressure to selected areas, improving the flow of blood and promoting capillarisation.
Massage strokes can also direct upwards, to the heart, to nudge the blood in that direction.
Finally, cortisol is the stress hormone. During pregnancy, the stress can cause the body to over-produce cortisol, resulting in greater stress, along with anxiety, depression, and difficulty sleeping. Massage can decrease the production of this hormone through stimulating parts of the nervous system.
In short, pregnancy can be a difficult time. However, massage can assist to alleviate some of the problems. Come in for a weekly session to have fewer troubles, or just to relax and forget about the pains and changes for a brief period.
