Pre-natal / Pregnancy massage
What is pre-natal massage?
Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage – to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it's also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, and therapists who are trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly.
How do you lie on the table?
Most women find it uncomfortable to lie facedown right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts. And you can't lie facedown on a traditional massage table once your belly has started to grow. On the other hand, it's not a good idea to lie flat on your back either, particularly once you're past mid-pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart. For these reasons, we use a special pillow with a hollowed-out area accommodate your belly, so you can lie facedown.
How can prenatal massage help me?
Carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you're carrying and you may find you've got a sore lower back. With the added weight of swollen breasts, most pregnant women find their upper back also gets painful.
What is pre-natal massage?
Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage – to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it's also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, and therapists who are trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly.
How do you lie on the table?
Most women find it uncomfortable to lie facedown right from the start of pregnancy because of their tender, swollen breasts. And you can't lie facedown on a traditional massage table once your belly has started to grow. On the other hand, it's not a good idea to lie flat on your back either, particularly once you're past mid-pregnancy, because the weight of your uterus puts too much pressure on the vein that returns blood from your legs to your heart. For these reasons, we use a special pillow with a hollowed-out area accommodate your belly, so you can lie facedown.
How can prenatal massage help me?
Carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you're carrying and you may find you've got a sore lower back. With the added weight of swollen breasts, most pregnant women find their upper back also gets painful.