What is Pregnancy Massage?
Pregnancy massage helps to support the dramatic physical changes that our bodies go through. At Movement Matters, we use pregnancy massage to maintain functional movement and keep the body pain free. Treatments help support those areas that are under pressure and helps prepare the body for birth. Massage helps all the changes be more manageable.
Pre-Natal Massage
Your movement can become restricted by the placement of the baby and the additional weight being carried. Massage can help prevent injuries and support your growing pains.
Post-Natal Massage
Post-Natal Massage helps with muscle recovery and renewal after birth. It can ease scarring, provide support through feeding and offer a space for a Mum to get some much-needed 'alone' time.
“Ruth managed to find & release areas of tension that had been building up during the whole pregnancy, it was such a relief. It made a massive difference to my mobility for weeks afterwards!”
Jenni, Pregnancy Massage Client
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There is no abdominal massage during pregnancy massage.
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Mums lie on their side through out the massage.
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There is no prone massage (lying on mum's front) involved.
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In later stages of pregnancy, there is no lying on the back.
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You will be kept warm and covered throughout treatment.
Pre-Natal Massage in The Three Trimesters
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Trimester One
During the excitement and nerves of the first trimester you can experience overwhelming emotions. Everybody's body is different - for some, morning sickness can cause neck and shoulder pain. But whether it is your first, or tenth, you can feel stress, pressure or discomfort.
During this most sensitive of times massage is entirely a personal choice. You don't want to do anything that may exacerbate sickness or makes you feel uncomfortable. For our Founder, Ruth, she found that choosing massage during the first trimester and throughout the long periods of sickness, helped her to relax and improve her symptoms.
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Trimester Two
By this point in the pregnancy, you are really seeing the changes and everyone's body reacts differently.
Pressure is being applied to your pelvis, your back is taking new stress, and your movement may start to be impaired. Your body will change and adapt to support baby and mum.
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​Taking time for self care during the second trimester can give some much needed stress relief.
Providing support to your muscles through Pregnancy Massage can help prepare you for what is to come.​
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Trimester Three
By now, the bump can prohibit you moving your lower back, doing up your shoes and touching your toes!
As humans, our bodies like motion - so as soon as we can't move, we get pain. Typically, lower back and foot pain.​Massage can aid blood flow and help the muscles you are struggling to move.
Sciatica (see below) is common at this stage, as well as back pain and Kyphosis (see below). The pain relief massage provides can in itself move women to tears. ​In the third trimester, women who have never liked having their feet touched can suddenly love it!
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Pregnancy Sciatica
There are big shifts in the shape of the pelvis during pregnancy, and the body has to learn how to hold not just your own weight, but also that of the baby. This extra weight can cause significant postural shifts.
​Sciatic pain down the legs can be as a result of a tight piriformis. The piriformis muscle sits right on top of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body and runs from the lower back right down both legs. If the piriformis gets tight it can constrict the sciatic nerve, sending a shooting pain down the leg or in the bum.
How you sit or lie during pregnancy can also create discomfort in your hips. All these issues can vary from uncomfortable to excruciating. Treatment includes pain relief as well as postural and support guidance to help prevent issues.
​Back Pain and Kyphosis
Pregnancy can cause spinal curvature known as kyphosis. Kyphosis is the rolling of the upper shoulders and neck.
This can result in back pain and stiffness, tenderness of the spine and can impact your energy levels. Big boobs can also result in Kyphosis.
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A kyphotic posture can create tight neck and shoulders and promote a closed front body. All these can impact lung capacity and effecting your breath quality.
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Every individual is different, and the treatment can support you emotionally as well as provide pain relief.
Post-Natal Massage
Once you have given birth, your body is going to begin the process of recovery. You will be the weakest you have ever been and also the most flexible. Massage helps support renewal.
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Massage helps support the change to the new normal, and help you recover from the trauma of birth.
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Massage can help scaring, especially after a C-section.
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Treatment includes advice and support around strengthening as muscles regain their form
Whether breast feeding or bottle feeding, holding baby can result in a kyphotic posture, causing new pains and strains when you are at your most emotionally vulnerable.​​
Pregnancy is as beautiful as it is taxing on the body. Your body won't necessarily go back to the way it was before. The female pelvis can be permanently shifted. Regular massage can help you to feel more comfortable in your new body.