The benefits of massage reach all aspects of change in pregnancy, including mental, physical, and emotional, end encourage health in each one.

Mental:  Coping with Stress

Even welcome change is stressful and can sap your energy for coping day to day. Stress has many negative effects on pregnancy including: weakened immune system, nausea and vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure-which in turn could lead to higher risk in pregnancy for complications.

Massage can counteract the effects of stress by:

• Relaxing the mind and body
• Decreasing blood pressure
• Decreasing stress hormones
• Increasing feel good hormones (serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin).

Emotional: Nurturing the Mother

Pregnancy can be emotionally draining.  Receiving attentive, caring touch in a nurturing space can be very rejuvenating.

Massage can also help the pregnant woman emotionally by:

• Increasing feel good hormones, which can decrease anxiety and depression.
• Allowing her to embrace her changing body in a positive way, taking charge of her pregnancy for a more satisfying birth outcome.

Phytsical: Easing Aches and Pains

Prenatal massage focuses specifically on the muscles and ligaments that are affected by the changing body.

Massage helps to:

• Reduce muscle cramps and painful trigger points
• Relieve pain in the muscles and joints of the legs, back, and pelvis
• Increase flexibility
• Ease constipation, gas, and heartburn
• Reduce excess fluid retention
• Slow the process of varicose veins by increasing blood and lymph circulation
• Relieve headaches