Aches and pains are common during pregnancy, and many women look for ways to alleviate them. Some choose to use prenatal massage, acupuncture or chiropractic care. All of these have their advantages, but it’s important to find a practitioner that understands how each treatment works in tandem with the changing body and its needs.
A massage is a form of manual manipulation that involves kneading and massaging the soft tissues. The goal of the treatment is to relieve tension and improve circulation. Pregnancy massage therapy is safe to do with your doctor’s permission, and can be beneficial throughout the course of your pregnancy.
Pregnancy massage is a specialized massage for expectant mothers. It is performed after the first trimester and can help with general aches, pains and nausea. The treatment focuses on the hips, low back, neck and shoulders, as well as the muscles of the arms and legs. The massage may include massage techniques such as deep tissue, acupressure, stretching and cupping. Cupping is an ancient technique in which the therapist places cups on the body that create suction, which helps to release stagnation in the tissues. This may also leave marks on the skin, which look like bruises, but are actually stagnant blood being pulled to the surface.
The therapist will be able to tell you if you have any specific areas of concern and which techniques are not appropriate for this time in your pregnancy. The therapist will also be able to tell you when to skip treatments and how often to come in for a visit.
Among the many reasons to seek chiropractic during pregnancy is to ensure that the pelvis is in its optimal position. A misaligned pelvis reduces the space for the baby and can cause complications during delivery, such as a breech or posterior presentation. A chiropractor trained in the Webster technique can assess and adjust the sacrum and pelvis, promoting the proper alignment of these structures that affect the nervous system and the uterus.
Other benefits of chiropractic during pregnancy include the ability to reduce nausea and vomiting, and increase overall comfort. The treatment may also help to ease the discomfort of edema or swelling in the feet and legs, which is commonly seen in pregnant women.
It is best to see a chiropractor in the second trimester and beyond, as this is when most of the discomfort arises. Some purists claim that chiropractic is unsafe during pregnancy, as it involves forceful manipulations of the spine, which can disrupt uterine contractions and lead to preterm labor or miscarriage. However, other practitioners claim that it is possible to perform adjustments safely in a way that does not put the mother or baby at risk. They may even recommend certain stretches and exercises that are designed to keep the skeleton healthy and support the growing fetus. For more details on prenatal massage therapy visit https://www.atlantachiropractor.net/.