Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Massage addresses many common discomforts associated with skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by pregnancy hormone shifts. This therapy improves lymphatic and blood circulation, addressing the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension in nearby muscles. Many women have experienced a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain with massage techniques.
Massage also reduces edema or swelling of the joints, and relieves pain from sciatic nerves being pinched when the uterus rests on the muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back late in pregnancy terms. Prenatal Massage leads to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight.
Potential benefits of prenatal massage:
- Reduced back pain
- Reduced Joint Pain
- Improved circulation
- Reduced edema
- Reduced muscle tension and headaches
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
- Better sleep