The Benefits of Massage Therapy for Pregnant Women

Expectant moms seem to experience more than their share of pain and discomfort while pregnant. It begins in the first trimester and doesn't let up until the delivery is over. Although it's perfectly normal for a pregnant woman to have aches and pains, there's nothing wrong with trying to get some relief from the discomfort. As the pregnancy progresses and the problems seem to mount up, including frequent back aches and joint pain, they need to find some way to ease their misery.

Luckily, massage therapy is the ideal solution. But not just any kind of massage. Pregnancy massage therapy is quite different from a regular massage provided at your spa. The massage therapist must be highly knowledgeable regarding the particular needs of a pregnant woman. Pregnancy massage therapy must be performed so that there is no harm done to the fetus. The pregnant woman's body must be carefully positioned and the proper intensity used in order to do the most good and not create more problems than she had to start with.

The major therapeutic benefit of massage therapy during pregnancy is that it stimulates the joints and muscles to function more efficiently and improves the blood circulation. As well, a professional massage can do amazing things to ease the fatigue, both mental and physical, that an expectant mother frequently suffers with.

In the first trimester of pregnancy, it's perfectly safe to get a normal massage at the day spa or regular massage therapist. But once you're into the fourth month it's important that only pregnancy massage therapy be utilized, and make sure it's done by a professionally trained massage therapist.

Actually, many obstetricians will recommend that their pregnant patients have pregnancy massage therapy once a month. This can help to relax their bodies and their minds, and the improved flexibility will be helpful when it comes time to deliver the baby.

Pregnancy massage therapy is useful both during pregnancy as well as following the birth of the baby. In the end, the benefits of pregnancy massage therapy make it an ideal activity to get the new mom ready for the big event at the end of nine months.