What Is Prenatal Massage, Exactly? How Do I Know If I Need One?

So ladies, have you ever wondered, "What is prenatal massage?” Are you curious to know how it differs from other types of massage? Maybe, most importantly, if you’re pregnant or expecting to be pregnant soon, how do you know when your body is ready for prenatal massage? Worry not! In this article, we’ll discuss these questions and address some of the common concerns that come with prenatal massage. 

Okay, What Is Prenatal Massage, and How Does It Differ From Other Massages?

So, whether you’re on your first pregnancy or third, the body never fails to surprise you in the different ways aches and pains appear. For most women, the back, lower back, neck, feet, hips, and knees can start hurting/aching in ways they never thought possible. A pregnant woman’s body constantly fluctuates, so aches and pains develop while the body adapts to the increasing demands of the pregnancy. Prenatal massages aim to target these specific aches and pains that present themselves during pregnancy while also being extra cautious/careful and gentle with the body. 

Here are a few key ways in which prenatal massage differs from other treatments:

• Prenatal massage therapists work to reduce muscle strain, tightness, swelling, and discomfort caused by the extra weight and changes in body posture. Special attention is given to the lower back and hips.

• Positioning for comfort and safety is extremely important with prenatal massage, especially when women enter the later trimesters. It goes without saying that a standard massage table will not do the job. Prenatal massage mostly uses a side-lying position, and many therapists, like your Elevation team, use a specialized table/support system with cutouts for the belly, allowing you to lay safely on your tummy. 

• Prenatal massage therapists are trained to carefully avoid triggers on the body that could risk stimulating uterine contractions or triggering other complications. Parts of the wrists, ankle, and back can be trigger points for women, especially in the later stages of pregnancy. 

How Will I Know I Need a Massage?

Well, if you or someone you know is pregnant, chances are a massage is needed! We’ve expressed this opinion before, and believe us, it’s not a hot take at all. Pregnant women need/deserve all the pampering in the world, and a massage is just the ticket for any woman feeling the aches and pains of pregnancy. 

You know you (or someone you love) need/deserve a prenatal massage when:

• Rolling out of bed feels like competing in a log-rolling contest, and your lower back is plotting a quiet mutiny. 

• Simple tasks, like putting on socks, resemble an Olympic event, complete with holding your breath and swearing like a sailor.

• Your feet have taken on a whole new zip-code-worthy shape.

• If a hip cramp has ever interrupted your favorite show or indulgent dessert. 

So, now that you know the hows and the whys, the question remains: why wait? Book yourself a massage today! 

If someone you love needs a prenatal massage in Houston, give them the best holiday gift ever! Trust us, they’ll appreciate it more than any pair of slippers!