If there is one thing we want when we're pregnant, it's to be pampered. Giving us all the information we need to make an informed choice on treatments, is Silvana Rosati, Spa Director at Dove Spa...
What is the difference between a pregnancy and regular massage?
Pregnancy is such a wonderful time for a woman.
Pregnancy Massage Therapy provides a healthy attitude and treatment to help mom along through all her different stages. Her comfort, care and relaxation are top priority. A pregnancy massage is different from a traditional Swedish Massage, as it involves lighter, shorter movements of the abdomen, lower back and sacral areas, especially in the first trimester. Deep massage or pressure is never used in these areas to ensure baby’s comfort and safety.
Benefits of a professional pregnancy massage administered by a Registered Massage Therapist include increasing relaxation and circulation while promoting good health, increasing flexibility and energy level by day while also soothing and relaxing mom’s sore, expanding muscles for a better night’s sleep.
A pregnancy massage also promotes increased good health, self healing, helps to reduce water retention, ease physical stress due to mom's changing body as well as alleviate physiological stress that comes along with the stresses of daily life.
From her first trimester to her third trimester and with pillows in place, every massage ensures comfort and relaxation. Mom can lay on either side or even on her back with the massage table elevated at specific points to reduce lower back stress or undue stress on other parts of the body. All the while administering a healing, blissful massage with varying pressure, and flowing, relaxing movements.
In the second trimester, focus is placed on specific trigger points, muscle spasms, the lower back and the gluteal muscles. Specific muscles are treated to reduce excessive curvature of the lower back as well as relieving muscle congestion and reducing water retention, if present. Any aggressive joint play is avoided for the entire body due to increased joint laxity during the entire pregnancy and up to six months after delivery.
While pregnancy is an amazing time for mom, a pregnancy massage can provide extra TLC for the physical and emotional stresses of carrying a baby. This relief can create a healthier, more relaxed mom that lives better and sleeps better.
After baby arrives, postpartum massages can help mom to handle the physical demand of a newborn, from reducing tension to speeding up healing. This is done by increasing circulation and can even help fight postpartum depressions. Postpartum massage can nurture and comfort mom during a changing, challenging and joyful new time in life.
Silvana Rosati is the Spa Director at Dove Spa in Oakville, as well as a Holistic Specialist, Reiki Master, Certified-Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Hopi Ear Coning, Facial Rejuvenation Aesthetician.
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