How can remedial massage therapy help your pregnancy pain and symptoms?
Pregnancy can be a magical, yet overwhelming time, both physically and emotionally. As a pregnant woman, your body will undergo significant changes in order to support your growing baby and prepare for birth. This blog will give insight into the specific ways the body may change and the symptoms you may experience and how pregnancy massage can help reduce some of these through all 3 trimesters.
First Trimester
Congratulations you’re having a baby. As baby starts to grow, and your body begins to change, you may start to feel discomfort or pain throughout your body, alongside stress, anxiety and excitement. Lower back and pelvic pain are the most common areas of discomfort or pain. With other common symptoms of nausea, fatigue, headaches and more playing a role in the first trimester, as the body adjusts to all the new hormonal changes.
First trimester symptoms MAY include:
Breast pain – tingling, tenderness as the tissue begins to increase in preparation for breastfeeding.
Fatigue – less energy is very common in the first trimester. Changes in the hormones of estrogen and progesterone, hCG and the growing baby can cause fatigue to play a large role in the first 12 weeks. Prenatal vitamins and nutrition are important during this time and throughout the pregnancy.
Musculoskeletal pain/ discomfort – lower abdominal discomfort, lower back pain, postural changes, headaches, body aches and pains, round ligament pain.
How can massage help with these body changes?
Pregnancy massage is a therapeutic and holistic way to help as your body changes during pregnancy. Massage may help to reduce stress, reduce pain and discomfort, help with sleep, increase energy, and can assist in creating a “mum and bub connection”. It can also help maintain and soothe the parasympathetic system, increases circulation and may help in the reduction of nausea and blood pressure.
There are many contraindications surrounding massage in the first trimester, which is why it’s very important to fill in your forms correctly. This gives our remedial massage therapist a snapshot of your health so they can provide you and your unborn baby the best care during the treatment. Make sure that your therapist has the appropriate training to treat you during the first trimester. Jess has completed additional study in order to be qualified to provide first trimester pregnancy massage.
Before beginning the massage, your therapist may go through a history and postural assessment and functional tests in order to identify the cause of your pain. Your therapist may even go through some breathing techniques and, if qualified some rehab specific exercises to help you through your pregnancy. If required, she may advise and work in conjunction with our pregnancy Chiropractor or refer you to a pelvic floor physiotherapist.
The massage table set up may look a little different in the first trimester, an extra pillow is placed under the abdominal/pelvis to provide comfort for your bump and pelvic support. Bolsters are also sometimes positioned under the arms to create comfort and support for tender breasts and shoulders. The side lying position can also be an option if lying on your stomach is causing some discomfort. Gentle massage over the whole body with emphasis on areas that are causing discomfort.
Sometimes it’s not safe to perform massage during pregnancy. Jess will perform a general health screen each time you visit to make sure you are well and free of any massage contraindications.
Conditions in which massage is not safe are:
Bleeding
Abdominal or pelvic pain
High blood pressure
Unusual headaches or change in frequency or intensity
Preeclampsia
shortness of breath for a duration of time
decreased baby movements (if you can feel movements)
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms before a massage or at any time during your pregnancy, reach out to your health care provider for a check-up.
Second Trimester
Things begin to settle down during the second trimester. Nausea usually begins to calm down and you may notice you suddenly have an increase in energy and appetite! However, as your baby continues to grow, you will experience new changes to your body. With increased ligament laxity, your pelvis and lower back will begin to change. You may start to notice increased curve in your lower back, ribs flaring and change in your breathing. Muscle cramping and overuse tension may be present. Your skin may also change both around your belly and your face. In the second trimester, baby does quite a bit of growing. You could begin to feel baby move anywhere from 18 weeks, depending on where your placenta lies.
As things progress and your body changes you may find that different areas of your body become sore.
Common areas of pain include:
Carpel Tunnel – Thumb 2nd and 3rd finger on the lateral side on the digits numb and tingling due to increased fluid.
Round ligament pain – Stretching of the uterus. Ways to help combat this pain include rest, good posture, when lying on your side pop a pillow under your bump for support.
Lower back pain - due to increase in lax ligaments, increase in lower lumbar curve, lack of core control.
Carpel Tunnel – Thumb 2nd and 3rd finger on the lateral side on the digits numb and tingling due to increased fluid.
Swelling and muscle cramping in legs, restless legs when trying to sleep.
Hip tightness and pain
Postural or thoracic/ rib pain due to increased rib flare
All massage treatments during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters will have you laying on your side and then turning on to the other side. This gives the therapist access to both sides of your body. Gentle massage over the whole body with emphasis on areas that are causing discomfort.
Third trimester
Home stretch baby! You and your body are probably starting to feel overwhelmed, tired and excited for the arrival of your baby. Now is the time to start the finishing touches in preparation of your new baby. During this trimester your body is still changing and preparing for birth. The third trimester is when the baby does the most growing and so will you. You may have increased shortness of breath as your uterus is becoming more enlarged and this elevates your diaphragm further. Insomnia, increased fetal movement, muscle cramping, anxiety and frequent urination can all lead to a lot of discomfort and readiness for baby to come. This is the time to lean on your village to express and communicate to them that you need some extra support.
Comon complaints include:
The need to empty your blader more often due to increasing baby size
Braxton hicks’ contractions
Leg cramps, muscle twitching, restless legs – this is ongoing throughout pregnancy
Swelling (Oedema) – standing for long periods of time, poor posture, fluid intake.
Ligamentous pain – stretching, good posture, resting are all ways to help reduce pain.
Lower back pain
SPD - symphysis pubis dysfunction (pubic bone pain)
Rib pain due to the changes in rib flare and tension on your mid thoracic spine
Feet pain or plantar fascia pain due to increased weight
Headaches - may be due to lack of sleep, hormone changes.
Massage during the third trimester is side lying, just like in trimester two. It can help to reduce pelvic pain, assist in sleeping patterns, continue to create a “mum and bub connection”. With the birth coming closer every day you may start to become anxious; your lower back and postal muscles decrease in strength; hips may become sore as baby gets into position for birth. Hang in there, baby isn’t far away now.
In review, massage in all trimesters can be a great addition to your health routine and assist with pregnancy related aches and pains. It not only helps to you relax, connect with your body and growing baby, but also relieves the associated pregnancy tension and pain. Our remedial massage therapist, Jess is specialised in pregnancy massage through all 3 trimesters, to ensure you are fully supported through this journey.
