Your body undergoes many changes as you grow a new person inside of you, and there are many benefits of massage during pregnancy to help you through this time. Some of the changes you experience can be stressful and uncomfortable, such as stress, fatigue and muscular discomfort. Regular massage treatment during the pregnancy can help you through these uncomfortable symptoms.
Reducing stress
Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which can reduce an elevated heart rate and also contributes to helping you sleep more easily and deeply.
Relieving depression/ anxiety
Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps to stabilise hormonal levels and it can also promote a relief of depression or anxiety that can be caused by hormonal changes.
Increasing relaxation
Massage offers you time to embrace your pregnancy, rest and recharge. The calm and comfortable sanctuary environment of the massage room can also induce a state of relaxation for your body and mind.
Less fatigue for you & better nourishment for baby
Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to both your cells and the cells of your growing baby.
Relieving pregnancy discomfort
Massage alleviates muscular pain, such rib pain, pelvic girdle pain, lower back/ hip pain, legs cramps and muscle tightness. Massage during pregnancy also relieves headaches and any oedema that can cause sore swollen ankles and feet.
Improvement of your muscular flexibility
Flexibility will be most helpful during your final trimester of pregnancy and then again during the birth itself.
Pregnancy massage is generally 60 minutes for full body, but it can be extended to 90 minutes. We also understand the need for position options for massage as your belly grows. We use special pregnancy cushions and props for massage to provide safe, comfortable treatment in the position that suits you. For example you may lay face down (prone) and have belly mats placed underneath you to allow space for your baby and belly, or you may choose to be side lying, supported by a wedge pillow for your belly and knees.
A relaxed mother is more likely to have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience. Massage is also beneficial for the recovery of your body after your baby’s birth. Postnatal massage helps you regain the strength more quickly and eases postpartum stress too.
Written by Ashley Fang, remedial and pregnancy massage therapist. Ashley is an outstanding massage therapist and receives consistent enthusiastic accolades from patients at Fertile Ground and The Melbourne Apothecary. She is a qualified in both Remedial Massage (with 7 years experience) and Pregnancy Massage. She employs a range of deep tissue and relaxation techniques, combined with unique Chinese acupressure and trigger point massage to create a therapeutic style that really sets her apart from her peers.
Ashley also speaks fluent Mandarin and we are thrilled to share the above article in this language too. Thanks Ashley!
由於您的體內孕育著新生命,身體會發生許多變化。常見的孕期不適包含情緒、壓力、疲勞、肩頸緊繃、四肢酸麻等等問題。適時適度的全身按摩,幫助度過孕期各種不舒服症狀。
懷孕期間按摩的好處
可以幫助舒壓–
懷孕期間按摩最大的好處就是可以舒緩神經緊張、幫助放鬆;平緩心率幫助您輕鬆且更深層的入眠。
緩解抑鬱/焦慮–
懷孕期間很容易感覺到龐大的壓力,這是由於荷爾蒙的變化,導致准媽媽很容易緊張、焦慮甚至抑鬱。透過輕柔按摩身體淋巴與皮下層的帶動,達到穩定荷爾蒙、孕婦身心緩解的目的。
幫助身心放鬆–
按摩提供一個專屬於您擁抱孕期、好好休息以及充電的時間。按摩室平靜、舒適環境更可以誘發您的身體和心靈進入放鬆的狀態。
減輕您的疲勞,給寶寶更好的營養–
按摩促進局部及全身血液循環,為您及成長中寶寶的細胞帶來更多的氧氣和營養。
舒緩孕期不適–
按摩可以幫助緩解肌肉疼痛及孕期常見的不適症,如肋骨疼痛、骨盆帶疼痛、下背疼痛、腿部抽筋和肌肉緊繃。孕期按摩還可以緩解頭痛及可能導致腳踝和腳腫痛的水腫。
提高您的肌肉柔韌性–
壓力大的時候,身體會處於戰鬥的狀態,這會導致生產緩慢下來。肌肉柔韌性用於幫助孕期最後三個月直至分娩。
孕期全身按摩通常為60分鐘,也可延長至90分鐘。 我們明白隨腹部隆起程度按摩躺臥方式選擇的需求。 為提供安全、舒適並適合您孕期階段的按摩,我們使用專為孕婦設計的孕墊輔助。例如您可以選擇面朝下(俯臥)按摩,放置在您腹部特殊設計的墊子,為您的寶寶和腹部留出空間;您也可以選擇側臥按摩,楔形設計枕墊提供您的腹部和膝蓋需要的支撐。
一個放鬆的孕媽咪更有可能擁有一個快樂、健康的孕期,並且更加可能有輕鬆的分娩體驗。 孕期按摩有利於獲得良好的孕期體驗,亦有利於寶寶出生後身體的恢復。產後按摩則助於更快地恢復體力並緩解產後壓力。
References
McInerney, C. (2020). Certificate of Pregnancy Massage. Pregnancy Massage Australia Online Academy.