Being comfortable during pregnancy can be difficult. Swollen feet and back aches are only a couple of the symptoms pregnant women endure on a day-to-day basis. A prenatal massage can help reduce aches and pains while also supporting you in your pregnancy journey. Our team at Wisniewski Chiropractic wants to inform you of the benefits of prenatal massages and where you can get a prenatal massage in Omaha.
What is a prenatal massage?
A prenatal massage is similar to a Swedish massage. There are some changes to prenatal massages to make it a safer experience for both the mom and baby. A prenatal massage is a full body massage that is slow paced, has specific positioning and is gentle to help relieve any aches and pains one might be experiencing while pregnant.
Is it safe?
Consulting with your doctor before thinking about getting a massage is a good idea to make sure you’re a good candidate. After the first trimester it is typically safe for women to get a prenatal massage. If you get a massage before then, it could cause you to become nauseous or dizzy which can cause morning sickness to be worse.
When getting a prenatal massage, it’s important to know that you should avoid some areas during the massage. There are certain pressure points that can cause a miscarriage or preterm labor. Make sure your body is positioned differently that a traditional massage, the modified position should be lying on the side and not on your stomach or back. If laying on your side is uncomfortable, sitting upright or in a semi-reclined position works as well. It is important to avoid the belly, legs and pressure points during the massage.
When touching the belly area, it’s safe to gently rub stretch mark cream. The legs are safe to be rubbed and stroked to help reduce aches and pains, but it is important to use light pressure. Blood volume increases during pregnancy which causes the blood flow in your legs to be slower than usual which can cause clots. Pressure points can be found in the wrist, between fingers or the ankle. Massaging these areas can sometimes cause early contractions and should be avoided. If you have the following conditions, you should avoid a prenatal massage unless talking to your doctor first:
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Preeclampsia
Risk of preterm labor
High blood pressure
Blood clots
Issues with placenta
Gestational diabetes
Benefits of a prenatal massage?
Aches and pains are common with pregnancy. Here are some of the benefits of receiving a prenatal massage and how it can help you during pregnancy.
Reduce swelling
Getting a prenatal massage can help reduce swelling safely by improving lymphatic functioning. Swollen legs are common for pregnant women and should be handled gently due to possible blood clots.
Improve sleep
Sleep doesn’t come easy when pregnant. Searching for a comfortable position to sleep in can be difficult, many recommend a prenatal massage in order to find relief.
Decrease anxiety and depression
Biological changes in the brain can cause depression and anxiety in pregnant women. For a natural approach, some turn to massage therapy. To help with depression and anxiety, prenatal massages can relieve stress and help the body heal.
Pain relief
Getting a massage regularly can help not only reduce aches and pains, but it can also minimize symptoms of depression. When a regular massage routine is established, shorter and less painful labor can happen as well.
Prenatal massage Omaha
Make your pregnancy more enjoyable by scheduling an appointment for a prenatal massage in Omaha. Schedule an appointment at a chiropractor near you and make your health a priority. Contact us today!
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