The journey of motherhood is one of the most beautiful transformations. However, the later stages of pregnancy can be hard. They often involve a lot of discomfort and stress.
Expectant mothers can alleviate this stress and discomfort with massage therapy. A comforting massage further promotes the overall well-being of the would-be mothers. The massage therapy for an expectant mother is known as the prenatal massage.
How is prenatal massage different from regular massage therapies? The difference lies in the needs. The techniques and tools used in prenatal massage are tailored to the needs of pregnant women.
Women undergo bodily transformations during pregnancy. The massage therapist adjusts the techniques to ensure the clients reap the benefits of this therapeutic experience.
Changes in body posture can cause signs of swelling. This can lead to muscle tension caused by new stress on ligaments and joints.
In such a scenario, a regular massage will not be as helpful as it normally is in relieving pain and muscle stress.
A prenatal massage therapist will generally use slower strokes than usual from head to toe and the targeted areas where you're experiencing pain.
Morning sickness and fatigue are common during pregnancy. It's a beautiful journey, but it is not an easy one. Consider getting a prenatal massage for expectant mothers to ease you through this transformative journey!
This blog explores the comparison between prenatal massage and regular massage. It will also help you understand this massage therapy and the unique needs involved in the process.
Without further ado, let's begin!
What is a Prenatal Massage?
Before diving into the differences between prenatal and regular massages, you need to understand both massages separately.
What exactly Prenatal Massage Do?
A prenatal massage, also known as a pregnancy massage, addresses a pregnant woman's special needs. A massage therapist utilizes different techniques in prenatal massage therapy to support and promote healthy pregnancy. Let's know how does a prenatal massage work!
Pregnancy is a beautiful time, but it comes with numerous physical discomforts. While some of these discomforts are temporary, others can be permanent.
Pregnant women experience lower back pain more frequently as they move ahead in the later stages. Additionally, they face discomforts like swollen feet, sciatica, varicose veins, headaches, heartburn, and carpel tunnel syndrome.
With relaxing prenatal massage therapy, you can reduce these issues and improve the quality of your life and the life of the baby growing inside you.
What are the Benefits of Prenatal Massage?
Want to know how different prenatal massage is from normal massage? Well, the difference lies in the purposes that both massages serve. Furthermore, massage therapists use different massage methods for both target clients.
Let's see the positive effects of a prenatal massage on would-be moms' lives.
1. Improved Circulation: When there's enhanced blood flow in your body, the signs of feet and hand swelling will reduce. It is a common issue during pregnancy.
2. Pain Relief: Prenatal massages help alleviate physical discomfort targeted to your lower back, sciatic region, and muscle groups.
3. Reduce Stress and Anxiety: Every pregnant woman knows how stressful pregnancy can be. To reduce anxiety and stress, especially in the case of high-risk pregnancy, prenatal massages can be beneficial. Slow strokes and movements can promote pregnant mothers' emotional and mental well-being.
4. Bonding: The techniques used in prenatal massages can help you establish a connection with your growing baby. This massage offers a nurturing and calming environment that can strengthen the bond between the mother and the child.
5. Better Sleep: Pregnant women have trouble sleeping during their motherhood journey. With prenatal massage, the therapist focuses on reducing anxiety and depression to improve sleep quality.
What Does a Prenatal Massage Involve?
Many people think prenatal massage is similar to regular massage. However, there is a fine line between the two.
Though both massages foster deep relaxation, prenatal massage is restricted to cater to the needs of pregnant clients.
Expectant mothers undergo a lot of strain on the abdominal muscles, neck, back, and shoulders. Pregnancy massage reduces joint pains and other common symptoms linked to pregnancy.
When you seek prenatal massage from a good spa or a reputed retreat, the certified therapists know what techniques to use and areas to avoid.
Before the therapist starts the prenatal massage, they will discuss the process with you. The pregnant woman will lie down on a specially designed massage table. She will be covered in towels for privacy, and the table will make her feel warm and cozy.
The masseuse will massage your body using creams or oils. You will be given a pillow for support, as it is not advisable to lie flat on your stomach during the second half of pregnancy.
It is because, during this time, women may experience deep pressure on the veins running from the legs to the heart.
What is a Regular Massage?
Did getting a regular massage during pregnancy cross your mind? If yes, remember there's a regular massage vs prenatal massage comparison.
A regular massage is a generic massage that comprises a wide range of techniques and styles. It is not personalized to cater to the needs of pregnant women. It covers various massage variations, from deep tissue and hot stones to Swedish massages.
Because various styles are involved in a regular massage covering the generic causes, this massage is not recommended for pregnant women. Some of these styles involve vigorous techniques that can pose a threat to pregnant women, especially those who have high-risk pregnancies.
What are the Benefits of Regular Massage?
Since a comparison lies between pregnancy massage vs regular massage, it is not common to reap benefits from a regular massage during pregnancy.
The techniques involved in regular massages can put a lot of pressure on the expectant mother. Hence, it is advisable to get a prenatal massage during pregnancy.
We are, thus, laying down the common benefits that you can expect from a regular massage:
Promotes Enhanced Immunity: Regular massage is designed to reduce stress and anxiety and has been linked to promoting an improved immune system.
Reduce Chronic Pain and Discomfort: Hectic lifestyles and chronic pain can cause a lot of discomfort to people. It may hinder their productivity. A full-body regular massage can be an excellent thing for losing stiff muscles.
Improves Muscle Flexion and Range of Motions: Regular massages involve stretching and hand movements. The masseuse stretches the target areas to enhance muscle flexion and a range of motions.
Skin rejuvenation: The therapeutic touch and nourishing oils used in regular massages get absorbed into the skin. It promotes skin rejuvenation. The regular massage will increase blood flow to the skin, making your skin look radiant.
Detoxification: A regular massage boosts the functions of the lymphatic system, which plays a significant role in detoxifying your body. The massage techniques and styles will remove toxins and waste from your body. Once your body pulls out toxins, your body and mind will feel relaxed.
Difference Between a Regular Massage and a Prenatal Massage
A regular massage is not the best solution if you're looking for a rejuvenating experience during your pregnancy.
Let's explore the difference between regular and prenatal massages.
The most crucial difference between regular and prenatal massage is the body positioning on the massage table. A woman who is not pregnant can lie on the massage table flat on their stomach. For a pregnant woman, that posture can be too risky. Hence, pillows and bolsters are used to support them.
The pillows and bolsters increase the comfort of clients who have come to seek a massage. Bolsters and pillows may not be used in regular massage therapy. Prenatal massage therapy is designed to provide comfort to expectant mothers. Hence, the use of bolsters and supporting pillows is essential.
Massage on the Front
When you're in the later stages of your pregnancy, to do the prenatal massage, the therapist will make you lie on the massage table in a semi-reclined position. You will be supported by a small bolster to move the weight of your uterus and the baby of the inferior vena cava.
When it comes to a regular massage, the client usually lies flat on the massage table on their back. The therapist can utilize the techniques and styles that they request. Depending on your health condition and other requirements, the therapist will combine different massage styles and techniques.
Massage on the Back
When comparing prenatal massage to regular massage, it's important to understand how the therapist will massage your back.
Pregnant clients who are seeking prenatal massage will be side-lying. The therapist will reach the back in the desired position and massage it using cream or oils.
Side-lying positions can also be effective for people other than pregnant clients. The massage therapist can instruct older adults to lie on the massage table in this position. Additionally, this can be a good position for clients in the recovery phase, post-operation, or injury.
A regular client seeking a regular massage can lie flat on the back. This position gives the therapist a better position to massage the whole back. Of course, the side-lying position is a good option for patients seeking relief from sports injuries or recovering post-surgery.
Strokes and Stretches
Another point of comparison between prenatal massage and regular massage lies in the strokes applied.
The body of a woman undergoes distinct changes during pregnancy. To be extra careful, the therapist uses gentle strokes and puts mild pressure on the target muscle areas or areas of swelling.
The strokes used in a regular massage depend on the massage style and the client's requirements. For instance, a Swedish massage can be helpful if the client attends a wellness retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation. In this massage, the therapist uses gentle strokes.
However, a person suffering from chronic pain and physical discomfort might need a deep-tissue massage. In a deep-tissue massage, the masseuse applies more pressure to the targeted areas to heal the deep tissues and increase blood flow.
Tips to Follow During a Prenatal Massage
To maximize the benefits of pregnancy massage, the following are tips you should consider:
- When you go for a prenatal massage, check if a reputed organization licenses the therapist or has the certification to offer services.
- You can take recommendations from your doctor for a good prenatal massage therapist.
- While undergoing the massage, your body can get dehydrated soon. It is thus crucial for you to drink plenty of water.
- Be sure to seek pregnancy massages from a place that has clean linen. Also, the presence of the massage room should be fresh and tidy.
What to Expect After a Prenatal Massage?
After a long prenatal massage session, women can expect to sleep better and feel much more relaxed.
As therapists use gentle strokes in a prenatal massage, blood circulation in the body increases. As the blood circulation is enhanced, soreness in your muscles, hands, and feet will be reduced.
These are the common issues that most women experience during pregnancy. After a good session, all such problems would seem to be alleviated, making the symptoms more manageable.
Expectant mothers can experience a fresh feeling for a prolonged period after a prenatal massage. Additionally, a woman feels cozy and comfortable after getting the massage.
However, the masseuse should massage the client with utmost care in the advanced years of pregnancy.
What are the Safety Precautions for Prenatal Massage?
Pregnancy is a transformative journey for women. As they reach the advanced stages, new physical and sometimes mental discomforts kick in. A prenatal massage is a holistic approach to reduce any such discomforts.
However, given their conditions, following the necessary safety precautions is advisable.
Consult Your Doctor: When you go for prenatal therapy, you must consult your doctor. Based on your medical history and current condition, they can provide you with the necessary recommendations.
Avoid Specific Areas: During prenatal massage, the therapist should avoid specific pressure points like ankles and abdomen.
Listen to What Your Body Says: Though this massage therapy is well-known, inform the massage therapists if you feel slightly uncomfortable.
Is Prenatal Massage Worth It?
If you want to unwind and reduce the physical discomforts of pregnancy, you can consider getting a prenatal massage. In general, this is quite a safe massage, but if you have any doubt regarding the process or techniques, feels free to ask the assigned massage therapist regarding the massage therapy.
An expectant mother can get a prenatal massage anytime in their journey of motherhood. When you seek pregnancy massage from a certified or licensed therapist, it can improve your overall well-being.
From increased blood circulation to improved sleep quality, there are numerous reasons why a prenatal massage is worth it.
Many places start offering prenatal massages only after the first trimester is over to avoid the risks of miscarriage.
Prenatal Massage vs Regular Massage: Final Thoughts
With the comparison between prenatal massage and regular massage, you can now make an informed decision. While regular massages focus on an individual's generic concerns, prenatal massages are a special massage therapy that caters to pregnant women's common and specific needs.
A pregnancy massage is the right solution for reducing soreness in your muscles, hands, and feet with easy-going therapy. It can also reduce stress and anxiety. It will give you a calming and nurturing feel, suitable for mothers and babies.
Are you wondering where you can get a relaxing prenatal massage? On The Side Day Spa is here to give you the relaxation you've been craving. Our prenatal massage is designed for pregnant women who have completed their first trimester.
Our expert massage therapists use relevant massage techniques and styles to soothe tensed muscles and ease joint stiffness, soreness, and swelling in feet and hands. We provide pregnant women with bolsters to maximize their comfort during the process.
Try our prenatal massage therapy and improve your overall well-being before starting your journey of motherhood!
