Pregnancy Massage

This massage is specifically for the ‘mother-to-be’. This is beneficial for the mother to help reduce stress, aches and pains in the back and decrease swelling in legs and feet. Pregnancy massage Vancouver is usually a very gentle and flowing massage to help increase circulation in the body and relief stress and tension. The massage can be performed with the mother laying on her side or back supported with pillows, depending on what is the most comfortable position for her. The therapist will avoid any deep pressure on the abdomen, legs and feet. Swedish massage techniques are recommended for a pregnancy massage.

Pregnancy massage is a term for massage during or after pregnancy such as; prenatal or postnatal massage. This type of massage will involve pillows or padding to help position the woman and make her comfortable. Depending on the stage in pregnancy, usually lying on the side is generally the most comfortable position. There are not a lot of studies on the benefits of massage therapy in pregnancy but on webmd.com they wrote about a study at the University of Miami School of Medicine that suggests that massage therapy may have several benefits such as; decreased back and leg pain, improved sleep and decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine. In the same study done by the University of Miami for a depressed pregnant woman, it was found that it increased levels of the ‘feel-good’ hormones serotonin and dopamine, decrease levels of cortisol, an indicator of stress and had an overall improvement in mood. In general, research has shown that pregnancy massage helps to relieve pain and boosts the immune system.