Question: Is it safe for me to have a massage during pregnancy?
fall 2004 – volume 1, issue 1
Colleen Whittaker, RMT responds:
First of all, congratulations! Pregnancy is a time of tremendous physical and emotional change. The good news is that massage is safe and beneficial for pregnant women—and sometimes sorely needed. As the body prepares for delivery, hormones relax ligaments and can lead to possible joint misalignment. Muscles can take over the supportive role of the ligaments. Massage can reduce the spasms and tension in the lower back and gluteals.
The body’s centre of gravity shifts during pregnancy potentially causing shoulders to become rounded, forward head posture and a forward tilt of the pelvis. Massage can relax the shoulder and neck region by decreasing muscle tension to reduce pain.
Registered massage therapists are trained to treat pregnant women with appropriate precautions. Many clinics even have special pregnancy cushions that support around the belly to allow the pregnant woman to lie face down, without putting pressure on the baby. This cushion can be adjusted throughout the pregnancy as the baby grows. Many women find being able to lie in this position very comfortable, but the massage can also be done lying on your side.
Massage therapy can promote a healthy pregnancy by encouraging musculoskeletal health in a supportive, calming environment.
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