Massage During Pregnancy: Can It Help Ease Back Pain? Benefits And Areas To Avoid

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In pregnant women, there are many aches and pains that accompany the pregnancy - and a massage can provide ease to the pain and provide comfort.

A massage during pregnancy can provide many benefits, including improved relaxation and sleep. However, certain techniques and trigger points in the body can cause contractions and premature labour, so seeking expert advice is strongly recommended.

Let's check out more on Massage During Pregnancy in this article.

Is It Safe To Get A Massage While Pregnant?

In most cases, yes, it is safe.

It is generally considered safe to receive a massage after the first trimester. You may want to avoid massage before then since it may cause you to feel dizzy or nauseous - and you probably do not want to worsen your morning sickness by inadvertently doing that [1].

Massage practitioners often refrain from giving massages in the first trimester out of concern that it may result in a miscarriage, but there is little medical evidence to support this assertion.

What Are The Benefits Of Massage During Pregnancy

Among the benefits of massage for pregnant women include the alleviation of back and leg pain, the reduction of labour pain during childbirth, the lessening of postoperative pain, the reduction of anxiety and stress, the improvement of mood, the lifting of depression, and the relief of insomnia [2].

Avoid Massaging These Areas During Pregnancy

During pregnancy, your body should be positioned and supported differently from that of a non-pregnant individual - both for your comfort and for the safety of your unborn child.

It is recommended that you lie on your side during your massage, rather than on your back or stomach, or sit upright or semi-reclining [3].

It is also important to be cautious when massaging certain parts of your body during pregnancy:

1. Your belly

In general, you should not massage your growing belly or the area around it because this could cause harm to you or to your baby. However, it is okay to use stretch mark cream gently on your belly [4].

2. Your legs

When rubbing or stroking your legs, be careful not to apply too much deep tissue pressure. Because your blood volume increases during pregnancy, blood flow in your legs can slow down, making you prone to clots. Therefore, deep tissue massage on your legs may dislodge clots [5].

3. Pressure points

There are pressure points in some parts of your body called reflexology pressure points, such as your wrists, ankles, and fingers. While some people claim massaging these areas causes contractions, the evidence to support this claim is lacking [6].

If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may advise against getting a massage [7]:

• Risk of pre-term labour
• Preeclampsia
• High blood pressure
• Blood clots
• Problems with your placenta
• Gestational diabetes

On A Final Note...

During pregnancy, massage is very beneficial because your back and hips absorb a great deal of stress and tension as your body carries more weight.

Getting regular massages to help release this tension will make moving around easier and more comfortable. Certain acupressure points are believed to trigger miscarriage or pre-term delivery. Despite the lack of evidence supporting this belief, studies indicate it can decrease the length and pain of labour.

It is recommended that you consult your doctor prior to receiving a massage while pregnant.