Pregnancy is certainly demanding both physically and mentally. Your body is tired and sore all the time, and your mind races with anxiety. In such a situation, a prenatal massage can be extremely relaxing. It is a completely safe process which offers many benefits for you and your baby. It relieves physical discomfort, alleviates prenatal depression, boosts your mood, relieves anxiety. However, it should be done extremely carefully by experts to ensure safety. So here are some precautions to take when looking for a prenatal massage near me.
Look for a Trained Massage Therapist
The vast variation in training and certification available for massage therapists is one of the greatest concerns for availing a pregnancy massage. The laws concerning this differ in every state; not every massage center will be properly trained for prenatal massage. Although there is no standard certification for massage therapists for prenatal massage, look for a prenatal massage near me with proper training in treating pregnant women.
In Case of Varicose Veins or Pitting Edema, Deeper Pressure Should be Avoided
Remember that pregnant women are more likely to develop blood clots, especially in the pelvic area and legs. If the blood clot dislodges, it may become a pulmonary embolism. It is a life-threatening occurrence in which the clot travels to your lungs blocking one of the essential arteries. If you have varicose veins, deep tissue massage on your legs should be avoided since it increases the risk of dislodging any existing clots. So make sure the massage therapist works lightly on your legs and always uses upward motions toward the center of your body.
Use Safe Positions
Your body changes in visible ways during pregnancy, the baby bump being the most obvious. In addition to this, there could be a pronounced curve in the spine and possible breast swelling. These changes make the traditional massage position of lying face down unsafe and uncomfortable as it causes undue stress on your pelvis, back, and uterus.
Flattening your breasts against the massage table can also be quite painful. Therefore, you need to ensure that your therapist has cushions, pillows, or a special massage table so that you can lay on your side during the massage. The best way is to work in a safe lying position with pillows to support your arm, upper leg, and head.
Avoiding String Essential Oils
Some massage therapists use essential oils like chamomile and lavender to enhance your massage and help you relax and sleep. However, some oils can work as stimulants and cause uterine contractions, eventually leading to full-blown labor contractions. So make sure your therapist has a full list of essential oils that should not be used on pregnant women, including sage, fennel, tarragon, cinnamon, wormwood, and hyssop.
Irrespective of their oil, request them to test a small patch on your skin before using it during the massage. Since your skin will undergo many changes during pregnancy, you may not know how your skin will react to certain oils. You can also request them not to use essential oils if you are worried about safety.
Summing Up
A Prenatal massage is meant to nurture and relax you and not be a source of other stress. You must enjoy it, knowing you and your baby are safe. So keep these safety tips in mind to put your mind at ease.
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