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Prenatal Massage

 

 

Prenatal massage therapy addresses different needs and other issues associated with the dramatic physical changes a mother to be experiences throughout her pregnancy. Prenatal massage therapy is a safe, natural and drug free remedy to many common discomforts that women often experience during their pregnancy. 

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Being a mother is a joyful and wondrous thing, but getting there can be difficult. Bringing a new life into the world requires significant and prolonged changes to the body. These changes can cause many physical and mental ailments for some women. While modern medicine offers some treatments for these ailments, such as medication, there are many natural remedies that can be used instead.

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Benefits of a Prenatal Massage Treatment

Research shows prenatal massage therapy can help:

  • Increases blood circulation, which provides more oxygen and nutrients to both mother and fetus and stimulates the lymph system, thereby increasing immunity and removal of toxins

  • Relieve muscle tension, fatigue and body aches

  • Assists in maintaining good posture and adjusting to a changing alignment caused by the baby’s increasing weight

  • Alleviates stress on weight bearing joints

  • Soothes and relaxes the nervous system by releasing endorphins into the mother’s body. As a result, the expectant mother feels more relaxed and at ease, and will also sleep more easily and more deeply

  • Supports the return of blood to the heart and increases blood flow to the uterus and placenta

  • Relieving Sciatic Pain (more on this below)

  • Reduced Complications (more on this below)

  • Less overall stress (more on this below)

Image by Kayla Maurais

Relieving Sciatic Pain

The added weight from pregnancy doesn’t just affect the spine. The weight of a baby can put pressure on blood vessels and nerves in the pelvis and back.

 

One of the most common symptoms of this pressure is known as sciatic pain. The sciatic nerve runs from the uterus down the legs and is the largest nerve in the body. Pressure on this nerve can cause a range of issues, including pain, muscle tension, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and less commonly herniated disk.

 

Stretches During Pregnancy for Sciatic Pain Relief

There are a few chiropractic stretches that can be used during pregnancy in order to relieve these symptoms, but first consult a doctor before trying them:

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  1. Seated Piriformis Stretch: While sitting on a chain, place on ankle on the opposite knee. Lean forward slowly and gently stretch the back.

  2. Table Stretch: Lean on a table and push hips away to stretch the entire back.

  3. Hip Flexor Stretch: Lunge forward with one knee while kneeling with the other, like so.

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Reduced Complications

Pregnancy will cause significant changes to both the spine and the pelvis, leading to a number of issues. Fortunately, these are chiropractor’s specialties. In particular, pelvis issues in pregnant women can lead to complications during childbirth.

 

Positioning of the baby is important for a healthy and less painful delivery. Much of the positioning of the baby before birth is dependent on the alignment of the pelvis.

 

While these kinds of complications are rare, regular chiropractic visits can help reduce some of these complications and make for an easier delivery.

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Less Overall Stress

The stress associated with being pregnant and giving birth is large and well known. Chiropractic care can help reduce this stress and increase overall well-being.

 

A multitude of studies show that regular spinal manipulations and other chiropractic techniques can increase sympathetic relaxation and reduce pain, leading to less overall stress.

 

Pregnant women need to watch their stress levels for the health of the baby and to ensure a healthy delivery.

Is Back Pain a Common Issue During Pregnancy?

Yes, one of the most common issues with pregnancy is back pain.

 

As is the case with many physical ailments, chiropractic care can help ease some of the burdens of pregnancy. When women go through pregnancy they typical gain between 25 and 35 pounds. In order to accommodate this new weight, the spine must adjust, causing lower back pain.

 

Regular visits to a chiropractor can help pregnant women in a number of ways. Spinal adjustments can help to relieve pain and make for an overall healthier lower back. Additionally, a chiropractor can inform pregnant women on correct posture and stretches to alleviate pain throughout the day.

Ready to Get Started?

Click here or call our Auburn, WA office at 253.833.4800 to set up a consultation to see how we can help you eliminate pain quickly and to accomplish your spinal health goals.

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