pregnancy massage treating for two


The pregnancy massage can have many benefits for both mother and baby. Olivia Slack discovers how to adapt your techniques for the ultimate experience in comfort and relaxation.


The prenatal massage shares many goals of the regular massage. It relaxes tense muscles, it eases those extra sore spots, and it makes you feel good.


When a woman is pregnant, her body is faced with many changes both physically and personally, and along with these changes comes discomfort and distress.


Massage is a great way to alleviate this uneasiness, as well as relaxing the mind, promoting a sense of well-being and banishing any anxieties.


soothe the pain away…


As no two pregnancies are the same, each client will have different requests, meaning you can tailor your massage to whatever suits them the most. A consultation prior to the massage will help to understand exactly how your client has been feeling throughout their pregnancy.


Justina Perry, Founder of Mama Baby Bliss tells us all about the varying complications your pregnant clients may be facing. She says: “We now live in a world where it’s still business as usual when pregnant, and we are sitting long hours at our desks - so backache is a very natural phenomenon. Lower back ache, tension in the shoulders and you can also get sciatica as your body changes, oedema, ankles get swollen along with your wrists, fingers and hands.


“You can get very tired, and women can get quite anxious particular in the later


stages of pregnancy as the birth is imminent, and also having to get up at night with disturbed sleep to follow. Pregnancy massage is a wonderful and very natural way to soothe away these aches and pains that we suffer from during pregnancy and it’s also great for helping us get to sleep so to relax us overall, and it’s lovely for the baby as well.”


Offering a pregnancy massage not only treats your client, but it also focuses on the baby too, which is just one of the ways in which a pregnancy massage differs from a standard massage.


The purpose of the pregnancy massage is not just to soothe aches and pains, but they aim to relax the client at the same time as revitalising them, giving them the boost of energy that they lack.


Communicate with them on which areas need specific attention; pregnancy can put a lot of stress on the back, neck and abdominal muscles, which are all great starting points, but your massage will need to be tailor-made to ensure your client is receiving everything they can from their treatment.


It is important to understand exactly what the client has been going through with their pregnancy, so you can ensure that they’re both safe and comfortable at all times.


getting comfortable


Comfort is a huge factor in any massage. Your client won’t feel relaxed unless they are completely comfortable.


“Make sure your massage table can accommodate a pregnant client; that you have extra cushions to adjust her body for extra comfort,” says Justina. “Do not massage any pregnant client lying on her back, conduct a detailed medical health check and make sure she is comfortable at all times and that you check the pressure is appropriate.”


GUILD NEWS 109


Image: © istock.com/Somkku


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