Prenatal Massage

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Pregnancy is a time of change and growth for a woman’s body. Some of these changes can be stressful, and sometimes even painful for the expectant mother. One of the best ways to ease pain and relieve stress is with a Prenatal Massage Session from Aura Massage and Skincare. Massage has been utilized for thousands of years to relieve stress, relax muscles, and improve general health—and that remains true during pregnancy. While the essential benefits of massage therapy remain the same, prenatal massage requires different techniques to ensure the safety of mother and baby. With a few precautions and a clear line of communication between the mother and massage therapist, there is little to no danger to the mother or baby. It is incredibly important for the prospective guest to ask the massage therapist if they have specific training in prenatal massage.

Numerous studies including one from the University of Miami School of Medicine have identified the benefits of Prenatal Massage as follows; “lowered anxiety, decreased back & leg pain, improved sleep, decreased levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine, increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, decreased levels of cortisol (a stress indicator common in depressed pregnant patients), and an overall improvement in mood.”

During a Prenatal Massage Session at a Aura Massage and Skincare, the expectant guest will lie on their side instead of lying on the stomach like during many traditional forms of massage. Your Massage Therapist will offer extra pillows or sheets to make you more comfortable during your session. If you need anything, do not hesitate to ask.

The type of massage the expectant mother receives depends on where they are in the term of their pregnancy. The general rule of thumb is the further along with the pregnancy, the less rigorous and deep the massage becomes. Most techniques concentrate primarily on a technique referred to as Effleurage. Effleurage is a Swedish massage technique that, in translation, means to “touch lightly.” This technique allows the Massage Therapist to use gentle, gliding strokes to soothe large areas of the body or specific problem areas without applying too much pressure. For areas such as the shoulders and legs, it is likely the Massage Therapist will use the deep Effleurage method, employing slightly more pressure to stretch and broaden the muscle tissue. This therapy is both soothing as well as allowing the therapist to warm and ready the muscles if deeper massage techniques are required.

Because every pregnancy is different, we require that all our pregnant guests be in the 2nd Trimester or beyond and consult a physician prior to scheduling a Prenatal Massage.