Are you pregnant and think Pregnancy Massage 

is a LUXURY?

I’ll give you FOUR good reasons why it is a NECESSITY!

Dramatic physical and chemical changes occur as women progress in their pregnancy.  Several symptoms of pain and discomfort arise out of these changes.  A massage therapist experienced in pregnancy massage can help expecting mothers relieve MANY of the following pain and discomfort: depression, fatigue, insomnia, morning sickness, heart burn, indigestion, constipation, headaches, high blood pressure, back aches, leg cramps, muscle spasms, SI joint dysfunction, carpal tunnel syndrome, hormones imbalance, swelling, and edema.

Postural changes are the biggest factor in the physical pain and discomfort, Weight gain causes an anterior shift of the center of gravity creating an abnormal curve in the cervical and lumber areas of the spine.  For the same reason more stress and tension is placed on weight bearing joints, such as ankles, low back and the pelvis. Then as the baby becomes more active, their movements tend to throw the pelvic girdle out of alignment.  As the pregnancy progresses, the baby will sometimes drop lower into the pelvic girdle also throwing it out of alignment.  Joints being out of alignment can put excessive pressure on the sciatic nerve.

PROBLEM:                                      SOLUTION:

How does this affect                               How can pregnancy massage 

the mommy-to-be?                             resolve the issues?

PROBLEM / SOLUTION NUMBER ONE:

These changes and added weight increase the occurrence of muscle cramps, spasms, and myofascial pain.  Pregnancy massage helps by minimizing muscular imbalances, relaxing tight muscles, and addressing joint dysfunctions.

PROBLEM / SOLUTION NUMBER TWO:

The symptoms of tingling, and numbness in the fingers and hands otherwise known as carpal tunnel syndrome are due to the swelling of tissues in the narrowing passages in your wrists.  Swelling and edema are due to increased fluid retention, decreased lymphatic flow, and impaired blood flow during pregnancy.  Pregnancy massage helps reduce these symptoms by improving blood and lymphatic flow through muscle manipulation and joint mobilization techniques. 

PROBLEM / SOLUTION NUMBER THREE:

The ever expanding uterus and hormone fluctuations result in morning sickness, heart burn, indigestion, and constipation.  This adds pressure to areas such as the rib cage, the stomach, and the intestines to name a few.  Luckily, relief is possible by stretching and relaxing the intercostal and abdominal muscles with a pregnancy massage!  The sense of well-being evoked by relaxing these areas, also aids in the entire process of digestion.

PROBLEM / SOLUTION NUMBER FOUR:

Feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression are often increased during pregnancy also due to hormone fluctuations.  As a result of pregnancy massage levels of the stress hormone norepinephrine decrease, while levels of “feel good” hormones like serotonin and dopamine increase.

Cheers,

Yvonne L Larson | LA’s Neck Work Expert

Facebook.com/NeckWorkExpert