Benefits of Massage and Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a very exciting time, but it is also comes with many changes to the body. These changes to the body often come with aches and pains, such as back and hip pain, leg and foot pain, and other muscle pains. Massage therapy during pregnancy can be used to achieve the same goals and any other time. Whether that’s to relax tense muscles, reduce swelling or relieve anxiety1,2,3. Research has shown that massage during pregnancy is a safe and effective treatment and can be a beneficial part of prenatal care4.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common complaints during pregnancy. Whether it is low back pain, hip pain, headaches or muscle cramps muscle aches and pains can be a part of pregnancy as the body changes and adapts to the growing fetus. Massage therapy has been shown to help reduce the aches and pains, muscle cramping and headaches that are often associated with pregnancy5.
Sleep, Anxiety and Depression
Many people experience sleep disturbances and some anxiety around their pregnancy especially as they approach labour. Studies have shown that massage therapy can improve the quality of sleep during pregnancy and can increase levels of hormones like serotonin which can decrease anxiey6,7.
Massage and Labour
Studies have shown that massage therapy during labour can help manage pain. Research has shown that massage therapy during labour can decrease labour pains and potentially decrease the length of labour8,9.
Massage Therapy and Pregnancy
Massage therapy can improve overall prenatal health for pregnant people, and can be considered an important part of prenatal care. Massage therapy during pregnancy, as with any condition, should depend on the needs and experiences of the individuals, and should be discussed with your massage therapist before treatment. Should you have a high risk pregnancy, such as high blood pressure or a high risk of preeclampsia you should consult with your physician prior to receiving massage treatments.
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References
1. Field, T. (2010) “Pregnancy and labor massage, Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynecology”, 5:2, 177-181, DOI: 10.1586/eog.10.12
2. Herting, D, and Kessler, R. (2006). Management of Common Musculoskeletal Disorders: Physical Therapy Principles and Methods 4th ed. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins p. 858-859
3. Field, T. Massage Therapy Research Review. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2016 Vol 24: 19-31 Accessed https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388116300214?via%3Dihub
4. Abbas Soliman, H., El-Homosy, S., El-Hosary, E. “Effects of Therapeutic Massage on Relieving Pregnancy Discomforts” Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences” 2016 Vol 5, (4), 57-64. Accessed https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eman-El-Hosary-2/publication/330534170_Effect_of_Therapeutic_Massage_on_Relieving_Pregnancy_Discomforts/links/5c46cd67458515a4c7377c77/Effect-of-Therapeutic-Massage-on-Relieving-Pregnancy-Discomforts.pdf
5. Abbas Soliman, H., El-Homosy, S., El-Hosary, E. “Effects of Therapeutic Massage on Relieving Pregnancy Discomforts” Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences” 2016 Vol 5, (4), 57-64. Accessed https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eman-El-Hosary-2/publication/330534170_Effect_of_Therapeutic_Massage_on_Relieving_Pregnancy_Discomforts/links/5c46cd67458515a4c7377c77/Effect-of-Therapeutic-Massage-on-Relieving-Pregnancy-Discomforts.pdf
6. Hollenbach, D., Broker, R., Herlehy, S., Stuber, K. (2013). “Non-pharmacological interventions for sleep quality and insomnia during pregnancy: A systematic review.” The Journal of Canadian Chiropractic Association. 2013 Vol 57(3):260-270. Accessed
7. Abbas Soliman, H., El-Homosy, S., El-Hosary, E. “Effects of Therapeutic Massage on Relieving Pregnancy Discomforts” Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences” 2016 Vol 5, (4), 57-64. Accessed https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Eman-El-Hosary-2/publication/330534170_Effect_of_Therapeutic_Massage_on_Relieving_Pregnancy_Discomforts/links/5c46cd67458515a4c7377c77/Effect-of-Therapeutic-Massage-on-Relieving-Pregnancy-Discomforts.pdf
8. T. Field, M. Hemandez-Reif, S. Taylor, O. Quintino & I. Burman (1997) Labor pain is reduced by massage therapy, Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 18:4, 286-291, accessed https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/01674829709080701
9. Chang MY, Chen CH, Huang KF. A comparison of massage effects on labor pain using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The Journal of Nursing Research : JNR. 2006 Sep;14(3):190-197. Accessed https://europepmc.org/article/med/16967401
