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the benef?s of
prenatal
massage
therapy by denise yearian m aisey wooten was in the third trimester of her pregnancy when she came down with a cold and cough, which caused her to pull a muscle in her ribcage. ?since i was pregnant, i didn?t want to take painkillers or medicine. so, i asked my doctor about going to a prenatal massage therapist
,? recalls the mother of two. ?he thought it was a great idea.? jennifer stempel was three months pregnant with twins when she re- ceived her first prenatal massage. ?i got large so quickly and was having a lot of leg cramps and lower back pains. i talked with my doctor about it, and she highly recommended it,? she shares. many women today are seeking relief from the aches and pains of pregnancy through prenatal massage therapy, which has o?en been proven to safely eliminate or reduce many of the normal discomforts of pregnancy. prenatal massage can ease the aches and pains of late term preg- nancy. ?prenatal massage offers a wide range of physiological, emo- tional, and psychological benefits. it can relieve muscle spasms, cramps, and myofascial pain, especially in the lower back, neck, hips and legs. it in- creases blood and lymph circulation which can help to reduce swelling. it also helps to stabilize hormonal levels and helps to relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal chang- es,? says debra gaugler, a massage therapist/aesthetician at woman?s center for wellness. stempel found this to be true. ?during my second pregnancy, i had a lot of sciatic pain?to the point where i couldn?t walk. the massage therapist worked on me for three days in a row, and when i le?, i was fine.? though pain relief is the main rea- son mothers go for prenatal massag- es, there are emotional benefits too. ?the expectant mother will feel more relaxed and at ease, and the massage can also help the mother sleep more easily and more deeply,? adds gaugler. moms agree that the emotional re- sults are worth it. ?relaxation was a big thing for me,? says wooten. ?i was pregnant with my second child and 1. what are your qualifications? the candidate should be a licensed massage therapist (lmt), nationally certified in massage and body works, and certified in prenatal massage. 2. are you affiliated with a larger organization? organizations such as the american massage therapy associa- tion, the association for bodyworks and massage, or the interna- tional massage association may encourage continuing education. 3. are you experienced as a labor assistant? if you think you may want a doula during labor, ask up front. also ask if she or he is willing to teach your labor partner. 4. am i comfortable with this therapist? find someone you are comfortable with. for most women, it is another female. look for someone who is sensitive to your needs and your present condition. questions to ask when looking for a prenatal massage therapist was already doing so much with my first. i could just go and relax. it was amazing!? however, before getting a prenatal massage, gaugler encourages expect- ing mothers to check with their ob/ gyn first. no two moms-to-be are the same so every experience will dif- fer, even though prenatal massages are different than regular massages through technique and positioning. ?a woman?s body must be properly positioned and supported during a prenatal massage. this ensures comfort and safety for mother and baby. the mother can lay on her side propped by pillows for a side-lying prenatal massage or she can be lying face down on our special prenatal table that has an opening for mom?s belly while also providing the sup- port needed to protect both mom and baby,? gaugler explains. wooten recalls her experience during her third trimester. ?when i went during my third trimester, the massage therapist suggested i lay on my side with pillows between my legs and under my head,? recalls wooten. 2 8 p i n k ? b l u e | s p r i n g 2 018
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