Massage can be a tremendous source of support during pregnancy. Many people consider massage to be a luxury, but in fact, the numerous health benefits make massage a natural, safe, and intelligent modality to incorporate into your health care plan on a consistent basis throughout your pregnancy. Many women regard their regular massage appointment the same way that they consider healthy nutrition and appropriate exercise.

Massage therapy is an effective way of relieving the common aches and pains associated with pregnancy including back pain, leg cramps, and headaches. Even more importantly, it has been shown to improve labor outcomes and newborn health.

Massage therapy during pregnancy has been shown to reduce stress & promote relaxation. Prenatal relaxation has been shown to:

Enhance immune function

Reduce maternal blood pressure, heart, and respiratory rate

Reduce fear & anxiety

Reduce labor time & complications

Increase uterine blood supply to enhance fetal health

Along with stress reduction, pre-natal massage therapy:

Reduces swelling

Relieves varicose veins

Increases blood & lymph circulation

Postpartum Massage Therapy
After the baby arrives, it is often much harder for women to find the time and support to nurture themselves, but the postpartum period comes with physical & emotional demands of a new nature, and there really is no better time for massage therapy.

Massage can provide deep relaxation that helps to balance the effects of interrupted sleep. It can relieve the back, neck, and shoulder discomfort associated with breastfeeding, lifting, and carrying a growing baby. Massage can help restore abdominal muscle tone & digestive function, as well as address lingering hip, sacroiliac, and lower back discomfort from pregnancy & birth.

A massage session is a precious time when a mother receives nurturing touch and attention that can allow her to return to her parenting responsibilities with more ease and peace of mind.