Massage and Pregnancy – Prenatal Massage

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Massage and Pregnancy Prenatal Massage

• By americanpregnancy.org

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• Therapeutic massage has been used for centuries
  to improve overall health, reduce stress, and
  relieve muscle tension.
• Massage and pregnancy has often received
  ambivalent responses from the health community
  regarding the safety and purpose of massage
  during pregnancy.

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• Modern investigation and research is proving that
  prenatal massage therapy can be a very
  instrumental ingredient in womens prenatal care
  and should be given careful consideration.

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• Although most massage training institutions teach
  massage therapy for women who are pregnant, it is
  best to find a massage therapist who is certified
  in prenatal massage. The APA does work with some
  massage therapists who are trained to work with
  pregnant women, but it is still important to ask
  about qualifications.

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Massage and Pregnancy Benefits of prenatal
massage

• Studies indicate that massage therapy performed
  during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease
  symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and
  joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and
  newborn health.

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Other potential benefits of prenatal massage

• Hormone regulation
• Reduction of swelling
• Improvement of nerve pain
• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced edema
• Reduced muscle tension and headaches
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
• Better sleep