Massage and Pregnancy

by Julie O'Connor

Many clients ask me if Massage Therapy is safe during pregnancy. Indeed it is! Not only is it safe but it is essential for moms to be. 

Relaxin hormone affects the joint capsules, tendons, ligaments, fascia and muscles of the body - which allows for more movement and elasticity than normal. 

This hormone makes the joints of the body more vulnerable. In particular, the pelvis and sacroiliac joints, ankles and feet become looser, and less stable. With these changes to the skeleton, your muscles will react to try and support the body.  This often leads to spasm in the muscle (something we call trigger points) which leads to pain.  

Soothing touch will decrease these symptoms and help comfort both you and baby.

Prenatal Massage is one of my favourite treatments to give. Stress reduction for mom is the foundation of this treatment - but it is not limited to this! So many musculoskeletal changes occur as the body prepares for baby.  You may find you have new aches and pains that you didn't have before - which is where I come in.

The top 8 most common complaints in pregnancy I see and treat are:

  

   *Low back pain

   *Poor Posture

   *Muscle Spasm

   *Fatigue

   *Compression Syndromes (ie Sciatica)

   *Dropped Arches and Aching Feet

   *Edema (Swelling)

   *Calf Cramps

Prenatal massage is safe and effective in helping to alleviate these issues.  It can also help with skin elasticity, blood and lymph circulation, and an overall sense of self-esteem and comfort with your changing body shape.  

When you come in for treatment you will be positioned on your side and propped with pillows for comfort. Just relax and enjoy!

What does treatment with Dr. Stephanie or Dr. Lara look like?

I define a 'healthy' spine as one that is able to extend, rotate, flex and laterally bend with full range of motion.  A healthy spine is pain free,  and doesn't require lopsided activation of muscles on either side of the spine.

The way we seek to achieve this healthy spine is tri-fold:  

1. making sure the joints are moving [and are not stuck]
2. making sure there is no nerve interference [with a bone, disc or a joint]
3. making sure the muscles on either side of the spine are symmetrical

How do we do this exactly?

First, you come in for your Initial Patient Exam and we discuss your needs, your goals, take you through a complete examination, and devise plan to best address you and your concerns.  This appointment is about an hour in length - so we have lots of time to address everything you may want looked at!

Then, during treatment, we will treat whatever needs to be treated.  It can be a combination of the joints, bones, and the muscles.

We address the bones and joints by adjusting them.  And let me just say, there are many [many, many, many] super gentle, and specific ways to adjust the spine.   Our goal is make adjustments to the spine to help it function at a high level, effortlessly.  It is a natural, and safe way to help your spine heal.

I cannot tell you how many patients initially come in saying "I am so scared of being adjusted.  The only reason I am here is because so-and-so insisted!"

Let me just say this : I understand these concerns, and of course we want you to feel comfortable in our office, knowing that we are working in your best interests.  Chiropractic is meant to increase the ability of your body to deal with the stresses you have to deal with in your life.  We are not here to hurt you.  We help restore function, get rid of symptoms, and most importantly, help you live a better life.  

Dr. Stephanie and Dr. Lara also integrate lots of muscle work into your treatment.  Muscles that are yanking on the spine in an uneven way are lengthened, and any knotting is worked on as well.  This helps the bones as well - as these muscles attach directly to the bones!

We use loads of different techniques to work the muscles - it can range from very subtle corrections to very deep work.  Again, what we use is dependent on the patient's goals and needs, and the condition of the muscle. 

I have found in practice that the combining of the spinal adjustments alongside the specific muscle tissue work extremely effective in relieving patients symptoms initially, but preventing future lapses, which is just as, if not more important!

If you want to read more about Chiropractic by Dr. Stephanie or Dr. Lara, please click here to read about  it on our website.

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We look forward to treating you.