subject: Guidelines for Maternity Massage Treatment [print this page] Pregnant women today have the choice of having regular pregnancy massage therapy through all three trimesters helping to minimize their aches and pains when preparing the body for the procedure of childbirth. Pregnancy massage therapy is available in the same professional therapeutic massage facilities that provide reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and Swedish massage. Moreover, because of the complicated nature of pregnancy, there are more measures to comply with for this massage method.
A San Diego massage professional advised that before enrolling in pregnancy massage a pregnant woman should certainly get clearance from her physician. All contraindications for pregnancy massage therapy should be cleared. The next thing, which is equally as important, is to ensure that the massage therapist performing the treatment has been specifically trained on prenatal massage. It would be smart to ask for proof of qualifications and licenses.
It is advisable for pregnant women to avoid excessive heat. Maternity massage therapy should, consequently, not include hot stone massage therapy, warm body wraps, saunas or heating blankets. Hydrotherapy which involves submersion under water also can be dangerous as the pregnant woman's cervix can be open and this should also be avoided.
Leg and feet massage should be conducted only by experienced massage therapists who are also competent in acupuncture. This is important so they know what parts of the leg and foot to avoid so they don't trigger uterine spasms and induce premature labor. In general terms, these areas are near the heel, the web of the largest toe, the ankle and the knee.
On the massage table, a pregnant woman shouldn't be allowed to lie flat on her back. The position of her uterus will place added pressure on several veins, blocking the flow of blood to her heart, making her dizzy. In some instances it could cause her to faint. It is also not advised for her to lay face down on a massage table with a stomach section cut out. As advised by a San Diego massage expert, gravity can draw the uterus down causing unnecessary tension on the tissue connecting it to the sacrum.
The most helpful position for a pregnant woman during pregnancy massage is lying on her left side, leaning forward at a 45 degree angle. Very much the same as the standard first aid position. Special cushions and pillows are typically provided as additional support for the woman. For pregnancy massage, more so than for the other types of massage, it is critical to make sure that you get the services of a highly qualified and specially skilled massage therapist from a trusted therapeutic massage clinic.
Guidelines for Maternity Massage Treatment
By: Arthur Brown
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