What is a prenatal Massage and Its benefits?

Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries to improve overall health, reduce stress, and relieve muscle tension. Research shows prenatal massage therapy can help reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health. Prenatal massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage.

Swedish Massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is the recommended massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts.  Another technique is manual lymphatic drainage which is great to deal with water retention, feeling heavily and leg swelling during pregnancy.

What is a postnatal Massage?

Postpartum massage is a massage received any time after giving birth up to a year postpartum.

When can a new mom start a postpartum massage?

A new mom can begin to receive a postpartum massage as soon as the day after giving birth! A post-delivery massage within the first 4 days is highly recommended, we call this a “labour recovery massage”.

The purpose of this postpartum massage is to help you recover from the marathon of labour.

This labour recovery massage is slightly different than a typical massage. Instead of using deep targeted pressure points your postpartum massage therapist will use very light pressure and broad strokes. Rather than focusing on a few sore muscles your postpartum massage therapist will perform a full body massage. The aim of this massage is to help you relax and to boost circulation in your body.

Since your body just went through so much with labour it is important not to overstimulate it in the first few days postpartum. If your postpartum massage is too deep it can lead to increased tension as your body will not be able to recover.

What does postnatal massage benefit?

•     Boost lymphatic drainage

•     Increase blood flow and circulation

• Reduce swelling

•     Better sleep

•    Enhance breastfeeding

•   Reduce neck pain and tension headaches

• Reduce back pain and wrist pain

•   Relieve achy legs/feet

•   Helps with postpartum blues (depression)

If you have had a cesarean delivery, talk to both your doctor and massage therapist to be sure it is safe. Some massage therapists will not work on people who have had surgery in the last 6 weeks.

If you’ve had blood clots in your pregnancy or previously, your doctor will likely have already recommended you avoid massage. Check with your doctor when it is safe to resume massage.