Pregnancy can be a exciting time in a woman’s life. However, the changes in one’s body in addition to normal fears and anxiety can also be very stressful, both physically and emotionally.

Specialised forms of pregnancy massage and other techniques utilised by myotherapists have a profound ability to decrease stress as well as prevent or minimise many of the common symptoms and discomforts of pregnancy. Regular manual therapy sessions can mean the difference between a comfortable, relaxed pregnancy and one defined by aches and pains.

Massage and other forms of manual therapy are especially useful because pregnant women are often unable to take many medications that are normally used to manage common problems. Myotherapy is ideally placed to help manage these aches and pains and is completely safe for both the mother and her growing baby.

According to a number of recent study published in the medical literature, including one in the journal Expert Review of Obstetrics & Gynaecology the benefits of regular manual therapy, incorporating massage, extend well beyond increased comfort and relaxation. Researchers in multiple studies report that women who receive regular manual therapy sessions experience fewer complications both during pregnancy and afterwards also, including fewer premature births and reduced incidence of post-natal depression.

How Can Myotherapy Help?

The manual therapy techniques used by myotherapists can have a beneficial impact on a whole range of problems associated with pregnancy, not just muscle aches.

Morning sickness is the nausea and vomiting that many women experience early in the pregnancy. Although it is called morning sickness, it can occur any time during the day or night. As with many other problems, hormones are largely to blame. However, stress also appears to play a very significant role. By using regular manual therapy sessions involving massage to relax, the incidence of nausea and vomiting can actually be reduced.

Hormones can also cause constipation as they cause the muscles of the digestive tract to relax. Gentle massage to the abdomen can help relieve constipation by activating a reflex that stimulates movement in the intestines. Manual therapists can also use rocking and passive range of motion techniques to get things moving. Deeper abdominal massage, sometimes used to relieve constipation in non-pregnant clients is never used, so there is no risk to the growing baby.

Headaches are another common problem in pregnancy. A drug-free approach is by far the best way to treat them. Myotherapy techniques have been found to be highly effective in dealing with headaches and are often considered the preferred treatment choice. Research shows that headaches become shorter and less frequent with regular manual therapy sessions.

In the second trimester more pronounced physical changes take place. As the abdomen and breasts grow larger, postural changes start to occur. Typically most women develop an increased curve in their lower back or sway back to compensate for the extra weight at the front of their bodies. It’s no surprise that about half of all pregnant women develop back pain.

Myotherapy can help through this period by minimising muscle imbalances, relaxing tense muscles and improving their blood flow. Your myotherapist can help minimise episodes of back pain by developing a simple home exercise program to stretch and strengthen various muscles.

Another distressing problem that massage can assist is swelling in the ankles and hands. It’s common. About 75% of all pregnant women will experience ankle swelling during pregnancy. The increased fluid in the hands can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, a painful wrist condition. Manual therapy technques including myofascial release and manual lymphatic drainage have proven to be extremely effective in relieving these troublesome conditions.

Manual therapists who have undertaken specialist training in working with pregnant women are flexible in their approach and can do massage to the back, legs and gluteals even when it is no longer possible to lie face down. By the fourth or fifth month of pregnancy, your myotherapist will prefer to have you lie on your side while lying face up is usually fine until late in the third trimester. Throughout your pregnancy your myotherapist will always ensure that you are safe and comfortable.

During and After Labor

Manual therapy is invaluable through a woman’s pregnancy. It can be equally beneficial both through childbirth and afterwards.

Labor is tough on a woman’s body. It’s painful, exhausting and stressful. Massage from a clinician who is trained in working with pregnant women can be a wonderful way of helping the mother through the process.

Massage helps the muscles relax between contractions, reduces pain and anxiety, increases self-assurance and also demonstrates loving encouragement and support. It may also be possible for your myotherapist to be present for support throughout labor. Alternatively, we can teach a partner or support team a variety of simple, effective techniques that can be used to give the mother some relief and support.

After the birth, focus falls on the newborn. Often at this time however, the new mum’s needs for ongoing care and support are sometimes overlooked. However, this is a time when she could possibly benefit from massage and manual therapy most. Myotherapy can help greatly in coping with postural change associated with feeding and carrying a new baby, and with the recovery process too. A number of weeks immediately after a vaginal birth, regular treatments to the abdomen will help the uterus contract and shrink back to a normal size. Regular treatment also relieves muscle aches and pains as well as help the new mum deal with her fatigue.

Mild depression, also known as Post-natal depression is also common after birth. About 60% of new mothers experience what is referred to as “postpartum blues” or “baby blues”.

Manual therapies including massage can have a positive impact on a woman’s emotional state and is a great way to lift flagging spirits.

So if you are expecting a child or have recently become a new mother, then myotherapy has much to offer in navigating this exciting time, before and after the birth of your child. Your body will thank you.

Alternatively, if you know someone who is pregnant, think of giving her a gift certificate for a treatment. It will be doubtless be appreciated.

To find out more, or to make a booking, call us on 1300 55 44 51.

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