Pregnancy Massage
September 30, 2008 by Julie Onofrio
Filed under Massage Theory, News
Pregnancy massage is a great way to ease the discomfort and help ease the body through the changes of pregnancy. More research and information is now available on pregnancy massage and the various stages of pregnancy and the needs of a pregnant woman.
Massage has been used throughout history to ease the pains of pregnancy and labor. Robert Calvert in his book ‘The History of Massage’ outlines some significant points in the history of midwifery which included massage. I also remember taking a class with Robert and he mentioned that there was some culture that used to train their sons how to do massage so they could be prepared to guide their wives through labor! (Whatever happened to that! Are we actually going backwards by incorporating pregnancy massage into a massage business?)
The Touch Research Institute finds that:
Massage for Labor Pain
Massage therapy during the first 15 minutes of every hour of labor decreased anxiety and pain and the need for pain medication. In addition, the massaged mothers had shorter labor, shorter hospital stay and less depressed mood.
Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Taylor, S., & Quintino, 0., & Burman, I. (1997). Labor pain is reduced by massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology, 18, 286-291.
Massage during pregnancy can help alleviate back pain associated with the postural changes due to the exess weight gain. It can help alleviate symptoms of nausea. It can help reduce the amount of stress and anxiety that a mother often experiences. Sciatica is often a part of pregnancy because of the increased weight and the changes in the hips that occur to make room for the baby and the birth process.
Massage during labor can help with easing back labor pains as well as just making the mother as comfortable as possible.
I just updated the pregnancy massage section on www.thebodyworker.com:
Pregnancy Massage Articles : Links to many online articles on Pregnancy Massage
You can read the many articles and research pregnancy massage and create an informative section on your website to promote your pregnancy massage practice.
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Hi,
I recently began offering Hot Stone Massage in my private practice. Is this safe and/or popular to combine with pregnancy massage?
-All My Best,
Corey Proffitt, LMT, NCTMB
i agree that massage can be very benefcial to pregnant women but believe that it should be performed by a therapist who has trained in that specialty.
I feel very uncomfortable massage pregnant women, which is why I have not incorporated it into my practice. I will leave this modality to others!
Jonathan
Breathe Bodywork
http://www.breathe-bodywork.com
I feel that massage is absolutely invaluable to Moms-to-be. Over the years, I’ve massaged numerous women from conception to birth and it has truly helped them during their pregnancies. However, lately, I’ve come to realize that post-natal massage is just as important. And I mean, literally post-birth, next day, bring my table to the hospital and set up shop right in the hospital room! I’ve done a few post-birth massages and they’ve all got rave reviews. Giving birth, naturally, requires use of ALL of our muscles, the ultimate exertion! Maybe this could be a new massage niche?
Massage is an extraordinary element of any woman’s pregnancy, with far more emotional benefits than, I think, we can prove.
The need for emotional support during pregnancy- to feel taken care of an nurtured, allowed time for reflection and peace, having a safe environment for thoughts & beliefs to grow, and the increasing need for touch- is important. It’s a beautiful thing we, as therapists, can provide a reprieve from the everyday, emotional roller coasters pregnant women seem to journey on.
Tying into last week; I realized there was a way I could offer more to my pregnant clients, while creating a supplemental income source. I began shadowing a Doula in June, and have now started the process to become a DONA certified Doula myself.
A Doula is a woman who provides constant emotional, physical, and informational support to a mother throughout labor and delivery. I feel this is an amazing opportunity to offer more of my compassion, knowledge, and support to my clients long after they have left my table.
Bobbi Payne, LMT
Owner, Bodywork by Bobbi
BodyworkbyBobbi.com
3033 Brighton-Henrietta Townline Rd
Rochester, NY 14623
607-351-2113
I wish I had gotten this info yesterday. I had a pre-natal massage and was floored! We touched on pre-natal massage in school, but it’s been over a yr. and I had never done one. I was in a panick, I didn’t want to do any harm and tried to remember endagerment sites. AAACCCKKK. I do feel I need more info before I can do this on a regular basis. Isn’t pre-natal a modality of its own?
I have found this to be true with my past doula clients. While I am not a licensed massage therapist, even rubbing a laboring woman’s back is a big help.