Back 2 Hands Massage

Why Should I Get Prenatal and Postnatal Massages?

Apr 06, 2022

When you’re carrying a baby, there are a lot of changes that your body goes through. Many women experience discomfort during pregnancy - particularly in the third trimester and closer to labour.


You may be asking, “what is a prenatal massage?” Prenatal and postnatal massages are different from traditional massages beyond just being for people who are pregnant (or have just given birth). Getting a prenatal massage (and postnatal) during and after your pregnancy can help ease discomfort, reduce swelling, provide pain relief, and reduce stress on your body.


Massages are relaxing and beneficial, so why not continue that throughout your pregnancy? Back 2 Hands is here to provide you with prenatal and postnatal massages and we are here to tell you why.

Getting Hormones Back on Track

During pregnancy, your hormones will change drastically - including an increase in estrogen and progesterone. These hormonal changes can cause mood changes, nausea, and help in the development of the fetus.


A prenatal massage can help with hormonal regulation. It can reduce stress and anxiety, increase mood (and help with mood regulation), improve cardiovascular health, and even improve labour outcomes.


Postpartum, hormone levels will decrease and balance out a bit, but it may take some time. A postnatal massage can also assist with balancing out your hormones, improve your mood (and mood regulation, just like prenatal massages), and reduce/balance chemicals in the brain that are linked to depression.


With postpartum depression occurring in many women post-birth, postnatal massages can be very beneficial.

Improving The Body’s Overall Health

Prenatal massage benefits don’t stop there. A regular massage alone can aid in muscle repair, get rid of knots and tension, help with muscle pain, and reduce stress by relaxing you and helping your body reduce cortisol levels, which contribute to stress.


When pregnant, getting a prenatal massage can loosen your muscles and even increase blood flow, which helps keep your lymphatic system in tip-top shape, which is very important during pregnancy.


In fact, this system in your body helps boost immunity, remove harmful toxic buildup, and reduce inflammation during pregnancy (which is great news for your swollen ankles and other fluid-retaining areas). It will keep you - and your growing baby - safe and protected against harmful bacteria.


Prenatal massages are also great for relieving insomnia, joint pain, muscle cramps, swelling in the hands and feet, and more.


Postnatal massages are great for relaxing your muscles, increasing circulation of blood in your body, and lowering stress hormones to keep you at your best while caring for your new baby.


Overall, a postnatal massage can help with the recovery of your uterus (aiding with its natural cleansing process), improve breastfeeding and reduce the risk of clogged milk ducts, speed up recovery time, and soothe stretched tissue.

Reducing Pain

As we now know, prenatal massages can help with swelling in the hands and feet, thereby reducing pain from these swollen appendages. A prenatal massage stimulates the soft tissue in your body, helping to reduce the collection of fluid in your joints.


The readjustment of your body’s posture as a result of your growing belly can also cause a lot of stress on the hips, joints, and muscles in your lower back, neck, and shoulders. Massage therapy can help relieve these aches and pains, particularly in the lower back and legs.


If you’re ready to improve your pregnancy by reducing back pain, alleviating swelling in your joints, lowering stress and anxiety, and keeping yourself and your baby protected with a boosted immune system, a prenatal massage is a great idea.

Back 2 Hands Massage Therapy is here to give you a great prenatal or postnatal massage. Contact us today to book an appointment or give us a call at (647) 217-9600.

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