We’ve long been teaching massage for pregnancy and childbirth at WellSpring, but it’s amazing to see that massage is benefiting much more than future mom’s physical state. As reported in Massage Magazine, pregnant women diagnosed with major depression who received massage therapy from their significant others twice a week for 12 weeks had reduced depression at the end of the 12 weeks, along with lower levels of depression and cortisol in the postpartum period.
What are some of the other benefits of prenatal massage?
- Tranquil relaxation and reduce stress.
- Relief from muscle cramps, spasms and myofascial pain, especially in the lower back, neck, hips and legs.
- Increase in blood and lymph circulation, which can reduce swelling.
- Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints.
- Improves outcome of labor and eases labor pain.
- Enhances the pliability of skin and underlying tissues.
- Provides support for the new mother with physical and emotional strains of mothering.