Massage Good for Moms and Babies

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According to a recent study done by the Touch Research Institute, women who participated in massage during pregnancy have had babies with fewer postnatal complications and lower premature birth numbers. “We’ve known for years that prenatal massage has had health benefits for both the mother and baby alike,” says Peter Rubnitz, owner of the Urban Oasis massage spas in Chicago. “Massage therapy is one of the most natural ways to improve pregnant clients' health.”

Pregnancy can cause a lot of mental, emotional and physical stress for a woman. Stress hormones, such as cortisol, that are released into a woman’s bloodstream are passed along to the unborn child. Prenatal massage helps alleviate the stress and, thus, relaxes the baby, as well. Prenatal massage therapy is beneficial throughout the nine months of a low-risk pregnancy for both the mother and the baby.

The benefits of prenatal massage for clients include:

  • The ability for clients to lie on their stomachs with the help of a belly cradle massage table.
  • Decreases depression and anxiety caused by hormonal imbalances.
  • Encourages relaxation, which in turn may assist in labor or alleviate insomnia.
  • Provides emotional support to the mom-to-be as she is adapting to her new body.
  • Reduces and alleviates neck, back and joint pain caused by posture, muscle weakness, tension, extra weight or imbalance.
  • Assists with the management of digestive complaints such as constipation, gas, nausea, and indigestion
  • Helps to reduce stretch marks.

Prenatal massage is not only popular, but can increase the health and well-being of many moms-to-be. People who have experienced a prenatal massage reported that they had an increased sense of daily comfort, better posture and more energy.

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