Pregnancy & Massage: Prenatal and Postnatal Benefits
Pregnancy is a time filled with both joy and excitement. It is also a time marked by rapid changes in your body. As your body grows and changes, it can experience a gamut of physiological issues from joint pain to muscle aches. These problems may persist or increase even after you've given birth. Prenatal and postnatal massage are valuable tools to help relieve discomfort and promote a healthy, balanced physiology during this crucial —and joyful— phase of life.
Changes in a Woman's Body During Pregnancy
When you first become pregnant, your body's chemistry automatically adjusts to prepare for the baby's growth. The production of key hormones increases significantly, setting off a chain reaction of bodily changes, including:
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention
- Swelling of hands and feet
- Back aches
- Ligament pain
- Leg cramps
- "Pins and needles" feeling in extremities
- Sciatica
- Exhaustion
- Increased hormone production
- Enlarged breasts
The changes don't stop once you've given birth. During the postpartum phase, you may experience any number of the following:
- Aches and pains
- Swollen limbs and extremities
- Loose skin
- Varicose veins
- Back pain
- Thickening of thigh and leg muscles
- Increased anxiety, depression, or stress
Benefits of Prenatal Massage
The challenge of impending parenthood can be stressful enough without added aches, pains, and anxiety accompanying them. Receiving therapeutic massage during the prenatal phase can help give you relief from all the aches and pains associated with your bodily changes. A prenatal massage can help to significantly reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. In addition, it can ease joint aches, muscle aches, stiffness, and other generalized pain caused by your rapidly changing body. Through prenatal massage, you can actively reduce swelling, help to regulate hormone production, and ultimately promote better health for yourself and your newborn.
Benefits of Postnatal Massage
It's just as important to take care of your body after you've given birth. As your body weight decreases and your hormone production once again shifts, you may experience a new set of aches, pains, and swollen extremities. Postnatal massage, also known as postpartum massage, can help give your body relief from those symptoms as it heals.
Giving birth causes a huge strain on your muscles, especially your legs and lower back. Postnatal massage helps your muscles relax as they heal and rebuild. It also helps to alleviate pain, from joint and ligament discomfort to more generalized aches. In the process, it helps to promote a more positive sleep cycle while diminishing anxiety and stress.
Booking Your Prenatal or Postnatal Massage
Giving birth is one of life's most profound joys. Nothing, including aches, pains, and stress, should get in the way of caring for your newborn. Grande Prairie Physiotherapy and Massage can help you melt away your aches, pains, and anxiety. Book your appointment today to enjoy the benefits of your own pre or postnatal massage!










