Prenatal Massage - Give Pregnant Women and their Feet a Rest!

A pregnant woman has many choices for natural relief from her body’s changes. However, some mothers-to-be get overly cautious toward their health when they are pregnant. Combined with a lack of knowledge about massage, too many pregnant women are missing the amazing health benefits from prenatal massage.

Just like choosing a health practitioner, your choice in massage therapists should make you feel confident. Pregnant women should choose a massage therapist who has had special training in prenatal massage. If you live in a more populated area, you may find a therapist who is also trained as a doula.

The rumors? So many styles of massage are practiced that some myths have circulated about massage for pregnant women.

Pregnant women were first cautioned not to get their feet massaged. The increasing popularity of Reflexology began the circulation of these misconceptions, literally. Reflexology is a style of bodywork that focuses on the feet. Points on the feet correspond to places elsewhere in the body. So, stimulation to reproductive points in the feet contributes to improved reproductive health. Therefore, a reflexologist could create healthier conditions for mother and baby by rubbing special points around the feet and ankles of pregnant women.

Unfortunately, caution became paranoia. Ignorance changed our understanding of this healthy concept, and now women around the world are afraid to have their feet rubbed. Some even rumored that getting one’s feet rubbed can induce premature labor.

But the gossip didn’t stop there. Pregnant women stopped getting reflexology, then stopped getting their weary feet rubbed entirely, then…*if you can believe this*…

Under the spell of these misunderstandings, some pregnant women have actually ceased getting massage entirely.

This is tragically sad! This red flag should warn us to investigate our sources of health information better!

Pregnant women have stopped getting their feet rubbed? (That should have been Alarm #1) and Now, Pregnant women are reluctant to get massages entirely…Unbelievable!

Let’s look at the facts. Pregnant women have been getting their feet rubbed since... the dawn of time! Reflexology is an intentional use of deep pressure to improve physical conditions. No sound evidence has ever connected reflexology to unhealthy conditions in pregnant women.

Nikiah Seeds, a Canadian doula and Reflexology practitioner, reports that reflexology during pregnancy can have the following health benefits: * Ease heartburn, constipation, morning sickness, hypertension, and swelling. It benefits mothers and infants post-partum, too.

Most massage therapists will practice a relaxing Swedish massage for pregnant women. Modifications are made for the client’s comfort. The massage is gentle and soothing.

According to massage therapist and doula Patti Heimlich, pregnant women can expect to feel some of these health benefits from prenatal massage:
• Relaxed muscles
• Improved sleep
• Reduced stress
• Enhanced immunity and circulation
• Less fatigue, more energy
• Better flow of oxygen and nutrients to the fetus

During her entire pregnancy, Crystal Roldan received regular massage. When asked about the greatest benefit of getting massages when she was pregnant, Crystal replied that prenatal massage "eases pain. When you’re pregnant, your lower back is in pain, and your ankles swell, plus I was on my feet a lot for my job while I was pregnant. With the massages, the pain was gone. It made my life so much better." Crystal is now a massage therapist, specializing in prenatal massage, at Higher Spa & Studio in Basalt, Colorado.

Final Thoughts: Put the rumors, and weary feet, to rest. Give those pregnant women (and their feet) a break, and Give them a Massage!

Nina Schnipper offers relaxing prenatal massage therapy to pregnant men and women in the Aspen valley. She also creates stronger bodies through massage therapy and fitness training. She practices at Higher Spa & Studio in the beautiful red-rock, laid-back, Rocky Mountain town of Basalt, Colorado.

Go to "www.HigherSpa.com" to learn about her Better Bodies after Babies fitness program, plus to view VIDEO!