Spa Basics

Pregnant women experience a lot of discomforts and anxieties and need all the relief they can get. This is why pregnancy massage has become very popular these days. But what can a pregnant woman expect during a pregnancy massage therapy session in a massage spa in Venice and Sarasota FL?First of all, a pregnant woman has to get clearance from her obstetrician before going for pregnancy massage.

Make sure that you do not have counter-indications for massage. It is just as important for a pregnant woman to make sure that the massage therapist who will work on her is qualified for pregnancy massage. Ask for proof of qualification such as certifications, licenses and training specifically on prenatal massage. This is crucial because there are important dos and don’ts in bodywork for pregnant women and the therapist should be completely knowledgeable in all these. In the hands of a highly qualified practitioner, though, pregnancy massage is totally safe even during the first trimester.

Please note that some massage spas are cautious and disallow pregnancy massage if a woman is still in her first trimester. If you encounter this, don’t push it. If the facility itself is not confident enough to handle women in the first trimester of pregnancy, neither should you force yourself into their hands.Be aware that excessive heat is not good for pregnant women. This includes hot stone massage, body wraps, saunas and electric blankets. Gently warm applications are allowed, though.Hydrotherapy needs clearance from the woman’s obstetrician. Submersion in water is quite controversial, especially when the cervix could be open.

Water temperature should also be closely regulated and should never exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.Massage on the feet should be done with caution and calls for expertise. While pregnant women often feel discomfort in their feet and long for a relaxing foot massage, there are acupuncture points there that could stimulate the uterus and induce labor. Some of these points are in the middle of the heel and in the web between the big toe and the second toe.Even leg massage can be potentially dangerous in untrained hands. An acupuncture point above the ankle and another one below the knee, both on the inside of the leg, could also trigger uterine spasms.

Qualified therapists will know how to avoid these areas.Pregnant women should never be asked to lie completely flat on their backs because the full weight of the uterus puts pressure on veins and impedes blood flow to the heart. This causes the pregnant woman to feel dizzy or faint. The pregnant client should instead be made to lie slightly on her side, at a 45 degree angle, leaning toward the left. This is also called the standard first aid position.Some massage spas have special cushions and pillows to support a pregnant woman during the massage therapy session.

There is a debate, however, on the use of special cushions or tables with stomach cutouts where the woman is made to lie face down. Some experts point out that this subjects the uterus to gravity and strains the ligaments connecting the uterus to the sacrum. It also puts undue pressure on the uterus itself. It would therefore be best to check a spa’s massage table setup before booking a session.Most massage spas offer other therapeutic massage techniques apart from pregnancy massage. They would most probably have reflexology, Swedish massage, deep tissue massage and sports massage. A pregnant woman can, therefore, choose to continue her massage therapy regimen even after giving birth. While pregnant, she can have her partner enjoy these other massage therapy techniques by taking him along to her massage spa in Venice or Sarasota FL.

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