Massage As Treatment for Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy

Many women find that as they progress through their pregnancy, they begin to experience what is known as round ligament pain during pregnancy.

Round ligament pain during pregnancy is due to the weight of your expanding uterus on your already stretched ligaments, but it all starts with those pesky hormones that make all the other changes in your body!

Hormonal changes in your body start to soften your ligaments, to allow for greater movement and stretching during childbirth as your pregnancy progresses. However, those softer ligaments are also put under ever increasing pressure as your baby’s weight grows.

The further along in your pregnancy you are, and the heavier your baby becomes, the more likely it is you will experience round ligament pain during pregnancy, when you physically exert yourself by walking and other activities.

The good news is that in most cases, round ligament pain during pregnancy is completely benign, and while it may be painful, and slow you down quite a bit, there’s unlikely to be any lasting damage.

If you are experiencing what you believe is round ligament pain during pregnancy, you should consult your doctor, as there may be other causes for your symptoms. If RLP is diagnosed, your doctor will probably recommend avoiding physical exertion, gentle massage of the affected area to soothe the pain, and possibly a mild painkiller, such as Acetaminophen or paracetamol.

The application of mild heat to the area during massage can also bring relief to sufferers of round ligament pain during pregnancy, as can gentle stretching exercises.

Remember that round ligament pain during pregnancy, while certainly not pleasant, is usually also not dangerous, and that the vast majority of women who experience this problem will find that their symptoms spontaneously vanish within a few days or weeks of delivery.

In the mean time, put your feet up and relax as much as possible, take it easy, and use massage and other safe techniques to treat the symptoms of RPL.

http://www.homepregnancymassage.com

Pregnancy Massage During the Third Trimester

If you are in the third trimester of your pregnancy, then you are probably already counting down the days until you get to hold your new arrival! Pregnancy massage can still help to alleviate some of the more common symptoms associated with the third trimester of your pregnancy. These include:

• Helping to ease discomfort in the ribs, shortness of breath, and indigestion.
• Swelling of the ankles and feet.
• Preparation of the breasts for breast-feeding.
• Softening and preparing the perineum for birth.
• Relaxation and easing of anxiety.

Pregnancy massage during the final trimester is usually very different to that of the first and second trimesters. First, there is the aspect of comfort, with many women finding that lying down for massage is harder, and long periods of lying supine being ill advised. There is also an aspect of intimacy to the application of pregnancy massage in the preparation of your body for birth and motherhood that makes it something ideally suited to a private moment between you and your partner.

The benefits of massage in preventing stretch marks, relaxation and more still apply, but you will need to be especially careful and gentle during massage, to ensure your baby’s continued safety. Remember that if you experience any adverse effects from pregnancy massage during the third trimester, or if you notice anything strange during a massage, you should contact your doctor immediately!

http://www.homepregnancymassage.com

Pregnancy Massage During the Second Trimester

If you are already in your second trimester, good for you! You are probably settling into your pregnancy nicely, and if you are lucky, like most women, the worst of the morning sickness is behind you. Whether you have already made pregnancy massage a part of your routine or not, there are still many benefits to these techniques. These include:

• Stretch marks. As your abdomen begins to grow, and you start to ‘show’, the skin on your belly begins to stretch to accommodate your baby. Pregnancy massage, particularly when using specially formulated lotions, or tissue oil, can help to ease this stretching process, and limit the formation of stretch marks.
• Backache. As your growing baby begins to put more pressure on your back and abdominal muscles during the second trimester of your pregnancy, you will start to notice that you experience backache. Pregnancy massage techniques can help to alleviate the pain associated with this, and help to soothe your tired muscles.
• Blood pressure. Many women experience a sharp increase in blood pressure during their second trimester of pregnancy. In fact, about 10% of women will experience this symptom, and while the cause is not completely clear, pregnancy massage has been shown to reduce stress, and anxiety, and can help to lower blood pressure in many cases.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome. Thanks to the build up of fluids in your body as you retain more water, it is not uncommon to experience carpal tunnel syndrome in your wrists. Pregnancy massage techniques can help to limit fluid build up and the symptoms associated with it.

During the second trimester of your pregnancy, you are also likely to start feeling your baby moving. This makes this an extra special time for pregnancy massage, as it allows you to share the movement of your child with your partner. So if you have not started practicing pregnancy massage yet, now is a good time to find out more!

http://www.homepregnancymassage.com

Pregnancy Massage During the First Trimester

If you are an expecting mom, then there is a good chance you have been following trends in managing the symptoms of pregnancy, and in that case, you have probably seen that pregnancy massage can be of great benefit. Let us look at some of the benefits of pregnancy massage if you are in your first trimester:

• Fatigue. The first trimester is one of the most tiring and stressful periods of your pregnancy and during this portion of your pregnancy, the relaxation, and rejuvenation that massage offers can be the biggest benefit to you.
• Morning sickness. There have been extensive studies done on morning sickness, and findings indicate that there is a strong link between morning sickness and stress. Since massage can help to treat stress, it is also believed to be beneficial in lessening the symptoms of morning sickness.
• Constipation. Constipation is common among women in their first trimester, largely thanks to the changes in your body caused by hormones. Gentle stimulation of the skin on your abdomen can help to stimulate intestinal movement, and kick-start a sluggish digestive tract.
• Breast tenderness. While massage of sensitive and sore breasts is not recommended, massage therapy treatments like cold compresses and hydrotherapy can help to reduce tenderness and swelling.
• Headaches. Again, because of the relaxation associated with pregnancy massage, it is an effective part of the treatment of first trimester headaches.

Getting into the routine of pregnancy massage early in your pregnancy and adapting that routine as your pregnancy progresses, is a great, natural way to treat many of the aches and pains associated with expecting throughout your pregnancy. So why not start now!

http://www.homepregnancymassage.com

What You Should Know About Pregnancy Home Massages Techniques

If you’re like most parent’s to be, then you’re probably very interested in how home massages techniques can help to alleviate the symptoms, aches and pains that most moms to be suffer during pregnancy.

However, while there is mounting evidence that home massages can be a great way to soothe backache, limit swelling, and help to fight stretch marks, there are also a few things you should know about home massage during pregnancy before you try it yourself!  Here are a few of the facts you should be aware of:

•     Before you start any kind of home massage program during pregnancy, you should first get the all clear from your doctor.  There are certain conditions that limit the areas that you can practice home massage during pregnancy, and some that mean you should avoid the practice altogether.
•     It is a good idea to learn how, and where, it is safe to massage during pregnancy.  Some types of pressure are not recommended during pregnancy, and it is best to learn a few techniques before you try them!
•     Certain massage oils and lotions, particularly those that contain herbs, are not considered safe for use during pregnancy.  Make sure that you avoid products that contain those ingredients.
•     There are certain positions that are considered safe for massage during pregnancy – for instance, lying on your side.  However, those positions that put pressure on your abdomen should be avoided.

Home massage during pregnancy can be physically, emotionally, and mentally beneficial to you, your partner, and your baby.  Make sure that you educate yourself about safe practices, and that you report any strange side effects to your doctor, however, if you want to get the benefits without the risks.