The surprising benefits of pre- and post-natal massages all moms need to know

From physical transformations to hormonal fluctuations, a woman’s journey to motherhood is filled with change. These changes can bring discomfort including back pain, swelling, stiff joints, and headaches. Luckily, pre- and post-natal massages are designed to help new and expectant mothers regain overall wellness. Read on to find out how massage therapy can help you on your journey to motherhood.

1) Relaxation and stress relief

Mood swings and heightened stress are experienced by many moms-to-be. This is because the hormones connected to relaxation and stress become imbalanced during pregnancy. If you’re not feeling great, it’s important to relax your mind and take some time to focus on yourself. Getting a pre-natal massage is an excellent way to do this. According to studies from the American Pregnancy Association, women who got pre-natal massages for five weeks were found to have lower levels of stress hormones and higher levels of relaxation hormones such as dopamine and serotonin. These hormonal changes also resulted in fewer complications during birth and newborn complications like low birth weight.

2) Alleviate musculoskeletal pains

Backaches, leg cramps, sore feet, and sciatic nerve pain can all be treated with pre-natal massage. While painkillers may provide short-term relief, massage is considered a proven holistic approach that relieves pain without relying on medication. Rhythmic massage techniques ease pain by stimulating the release of endorphins (your body’s natural painkillers) and releasing pressure on your muscles so they feel less tense.

3) Enhance blood circulation and immune system function

When muscles and tissue are worked on, blood and lymph are able to move more freely throughout your body. This means more nutrients get delivered to you and your baby. Improved circulation also minimizes joint swelling and flushes out toxins through the lymphatic system so you’re able to fight off illnesses better.

4) Speed up the healing process after childbirth

After your bundle of joy enters the world, your body is working hard to get back to its pre-pregnancy state. This can cause discomfort in many areas of your body. A post-natal massage is a great way to facilitate excess fluid and waste removal, while easing leg, arm, neck, and back pain.

Approximately two-thirds of new moms feel temporary postpartum blues. Just like a pre-natal massage, a post-partum one can do wonders for your mental health by lowering stress hormones, diminishing anxiety, and inducing feelings of relaxation.

5) Easier breastfeeding

Stress is inevitable when it comes to taking on the new responsibilities of motherhood. Unfortunately, stress is often responsible for reduced milk production. By decreasing stress hormones, post-natal massages can help maintain healthy levels of milk production, thus making breastfeeding easier. Numerous studies have also shown that massage increases prolactin levels, a lactation hormone.

At Royal Treatment Therapeutics, our Registered Massage Therapists offer pre- and post-natal massages. They take extra care to make sure new and soon-to-be moms are comfortable by using sideline positioning and soft pregnancy pillows to provide extra support and alleviate strain. You can book an appointment by clicking the button below, or give us a call at 604-437-7777 if you would like more information on how pre- or post-natal massages can help you. Remember to talk to your doctor first before starting any new therapeutic treatment.