Pregnant women today have the ability of receiving regular pregnancy massage therapy during all three trimesters in order to ease their aches and pains while preparing the body for the challenge of childbirth. Pregnancy massage therapy is offered in the same professional therapeutic massage clinics that provide reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and Swedish massage therapy. However, because of the complicated nature of pregnancy, there are more guidelines to comply with for this massage method.
A San Diego massage professional advised that prior to signing up for pregnancy massage a pregnant woman will want to get clearance from her physician. All contraindications for pregnancy massage should be cleared. The next thing, which is equally as important, is make certain that the massage therapist performing the treatment method has been specifically trained on prenatal massage. It would be wise to ask for proof of credentials and licenses.
It is important for pregnant women to avoid excessive heat. Pregnancy massage should, therefore, not include hot stone massage, body wraps, saunas or electric blankets. Hydrotherapy which involves submersion under water may also be dangerous because the pregnant woman's cervix also can open and this should also be avoided.
Leg and feet massage should be conducted only by expert massage therapists who are also competent in acupuncture. This is crucial so they are mindful of what points of the leg and foot to avoid so as not to trigger uterine spasms and induce premature labor. In general terms, these points are near the heel, the web of the largest toe, the ankle and the knee.
On the massage table, a pregnant woman should not be made to lie flat on her back. The pressure of her uterus will place added pressure on several veins, obstructing the flow of blood to her heart, which will in turn make her dizzy. In many cases it could cause her to pass out. It is also not advised for her to lay face down on a massage table with a stomach section cut out. In accordance with a San Diego massage specialist, gravity will then drag the uterus downward placing excessive tension on the tissue connecting it to the sacrum.
The number one position for a pregnant woman during pregnancy massage is lying on her left side, leaning slightly forward at a forty-five degree angle. This is the same as the common first aid position.
Specially designed cushions and pillows are almost always provided as support for the woman. For pregnancy massage therapy, much more than for the other types of massage therapy, it is very important to to ensure that you only receive the services of a exceptionally qualified and professionally skilled massage therapist from a reputable therapeutic massage therapy clinic.
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