Guidelines on Pregnancy Massage Therapy at a Therapeutic Massage Spa in Warrington PA by Chris Lontok

Pregnant women today have the option of having regular pregnancy massage therapy through all three trimesters in order to ease their aches and pains while preparing the body for the process of childbirth. Pregnancy massage therapy is available in the same professional therapeutic massage spas that provide reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and Swedish massage therapy in Warrington PA for residents of Bucks County, Doylestown, Warminster, Horsham, Willow Grove, Abbington, Ambler, Chalfont, New Hope, Newtown, Richboro, South Hampton and Lansdale. Because of the complicated nature of pregnancy, though, there are more guidelines to comply with for this massage modality.

The very first thing a pregnant woman should do before availing of pregnancy massage therapy is to get clearance from her obstetrician. All contraindications for pregnancy massage therapy should be cleared. The next thing, which is just as important, is to ensure that the massage therapist in the massage facility concerned has been specifically trained on prenatal massage. It would be best to ask for proofs of certifications and licenses.

One of the things that pregnant women should avoid is excessive heat. Pregnancy massage therapy should, therefore, not include hot stone massage, body wraps, saunas and electric blankets.

Hydrotherapy which involves submersion in water may also be dangerous because the pregnant woman’s cervix may be open. This should also be avoided.

Leg and feet massage should be done only by expert massage therapists who are also very knowledgeable in acupuncture. This is important so that they know what parts of the leg and foot to avoid so as not to stimulate uterine spasms and induce early labor. In general terms these points are in the vicinity of the heel, the web of the big toe, the ankle and the knee.

On the massage table, a pregnant woman should not be made to lie flat on her back. The weight of the uterus will put pressure on various veins, impeding the flow of blood to the heart, making her dizzy. She could even faint. Neither should the pregnant woman be made to lie face down on a massage table with a stomach cut out. According to experts, gravity will pull the uterus down and put undue strain on the ligaments connecting it to the sacrum. This will also put undue pressure on the uterus.

The best position for a pregnant woman during pregnancy massage therapy is lying on her left side, leaning forwards at a 45 degree angle. This is the same as the standard first aid position. Special cushions and pillows may be provided to support the woman.

For pregnancy massage therapy, more so than for reflexology massage therapy, deep tissue massage therapy, sports massage therapy and Swedish massage therapy, you have to make sure that you get the services of a highly qualified and specially trained massage therapist from a reputable therapeutic massage spa in Warrington PA that serves Bucks County, Doylestown, Warminster, Horsham, Willow Grove, Abbington, Ambler, Chalfont, New Hope, Newtown, Richboro, South Hampton and Lansdale.