Pregnancy is one of the exciting phases of life for women. However, due to progressive shifts in the posture, it comes with aches, indigestion, nausea, pains, and fatigue. This phase requires a lot of physical, mental as well as emotional energy. Along with the self-care, massage therapy can help you cope up with the existing responsibilities at home and work.
Advantages of Massage Therapy
Every pregnancy is different, as the baby grows the changes in the body cause discomfort. Massage therapy can help relieve few symptoms, nurture as well as rejuvenate yourself. Just a few minutes on the massage table can help you transform stress into bliss. It would not be like the regular massage, however, it would be quite helpful. Here is a list of reasons how massage therapy can be beneficial for mothers-to-be
Pain Relief
When the abdomen grows outwards, the posture changes to realign center of gravity over hips. For some pregnant women, the stress on the muscles as well as joint results in sciatic, pelvic, lower back, neck, or shoulder pain. Massage therapists can help you relieve the aches. As per researches, massage therapy is effective for the back and leg pain during pregnancy.
Reduced Swelling
Swelling is quite normal during pregnancy. It is caused due to low circulation as well as extra pressure on blood vessels. In order to lower the buildup of fluids in swollen tissues and stimulate the soft tissues, the therapists recommend deep tissue massage. It helps to improve the ability of the lymph system to remove tissue waste in the body.
Relaxation & Stress Reduction
Cortisol refers to the stress hormone. Getting a massage can help to relax the body as well as mind. Massage therapy increases the hormones that are associated with stress reduction and decreases depression, stress, and anxiety. This can help to promote even mood as well as improved cardiovascular function.
Improved Sleep
Women experience difficulty in sleeping during pregnancy due to physical discomfort and stress. A massage helps in increasing the production of serotonin compound and melatonin hormone in the body that regulates the sleep rhythm. When a pregnant woman gets the message, it helps to improve the quality of sleep and promotes a good effect on her body.
Gastrointestinal Function
During pregnancy, the progesterone level rises in the body of the woman. These in turn slow down the digestive system. It makes the food slower to digest as well as more time to body to absorb nutrients. Slow digestion might encourage some other problems like bloating, nausea, or heartburn. Massage therapy can help make the digestive system faster and solve related problems.
Along with the mothers-to-be, massage therapy helps to lower the stress hormones in the baby. According to researches, massage plays a significant role in raising the cortisol levels of the baby even if it is in the womb of their mother. You can visit a reputed massage therapy clinic to get a massage from a registered massage therapist and relax.
