Prenatal Massage Makes Pregnancy and Labor Easier

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Pregnancy is hard on both the body and the mind. Fortunately, there are natural methods that can ease these struggles. Prenatal care provided by qualified therapeutic massage experts at Loosen Up Bodywork has many different benefits that can make pregnancy and labor an easier process while also benefiting your overall health. See for yourself when you schedule a session at our Walnut Creek or Danville locations and experience the positive impact our massage treatments can have now! 

Improved Blood & Lymph Circulation

Pregnancy can have effects on your body that you might not be aware of. Prenatal massage helps to improve the circulation of blood and lymph at a time when your body needs assistance. It can help you sleep better, relax, and focus on making it through your pregnancy. Book a new client appointment now!

Cramps & Spasms

Common symptoms that many women experience during pregnancy include potentially intense cramps, spasms, and myofascial pain. This often occurs in the lower back, neck, shoulders, hips, and legs. This can make your pregnancy experience extremely difficult and taxing on your body. Prenatal massage can go a long way in reducing the intensity of these symptoms and decreasing your pain. 

Emotional Relief

Outside of the physical symptoms that accompany pregnancy, it can also take a heavy toll on your emotional well-being. Reduction in sleep, increased stress, depression, and anxiety are frequent occurrences that make life difficult for a pregnant woman. Our prenatal care can assist in improved mood and sense of well-being. This is due in part to an increase in serotonin and dopamine along with a decrease in cortisol levels.  Also just receiving some well deserved quiet time can help tremendously.

Easier Labor

One of the biggest reasons to look into prenatal massage is that it can help with forthcoming labor. There are techniques that you can learn on the massage table that can potentially lead to an easier and less painful delivery.  

Make an appointment at one of our convenient locations in Walnut Creek and Danville for prenatal massage care from Loosen Up Bodywork today!

 

Why Prenatal Massages Are Good for Both the Mind and the Body

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If you’re like most pregnant women, you’re probably looking for ways to ease your discomfort and de-stress. What could be better than a prenatal massage? Prenatal or pregnancy massages not only feel nice, but they are also good for the mind and the body. In this blog post from our team at Loosen Up Bodywork, we will discuss the benefits of prenatal massages and how they can help improve your pregnancy experience. Learn more below and book your appointment for a prenatal massage today!

Relaxed pregnant woman getting a massage

Reduce Stress and Anxiety

One of the main benefits of prenatal massages is that they can help reduce stress and anxiety. Pregnancy is a time of many changes and can be very stressful. Maternity massages can help to ease the tension and worry that comes with pregnancy.

Woman asleep in bed

Improve Sleep Quality

Prenatal massages can also help improve sleep quality. Getting enough rest is important for both mom and baby. Pregnancy massages can help to reduce mental and bodily stress, which can lead to better sleep at night.

Pregnant woman sitting on a bed holding her back

Ease Muscle Aches and Pains

Another benefit of prenatal massages is that they can help ease muscle aches and pains. As your body changes during pregnancy, you may start to experience new aches and pains. A maternity massage can help to relieve these discomforts.

Pregnant woman laying on her side getting a massage

Reduce Strain on the Ligaments

Prenatal massages can also help reduce strain on the ligaments. The ligaments are what connect the bones and joints and they can become strained and uncomfortable as your body grows during pregnancy. Pregnancy massages can help to reduce this strain and pain.

As you can see, prenatal massages have many benefits for both the mind and the body. Contact our team at Loosen Up Bodywork today to book your appointment. We offer prenatal massages in Danville, Walnut Creek, and the surrounding California areas. We look forward to helping you feel your best during pregnancy!

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Why We Practice Prenatal Work in Side-Lying Position

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Recently we received some feedback from a client expressing her desire to receive prenatal work lying on her stomach.  They do make prop pillows to allow pregnant women to lay like this but we do not use them at Loosen Up.  So I thought I would take the opportunity to explain why we prefer side-lying position for our moms-to-be.

From the second trimester, as pregnancy progresses, women’s skeletal structure is pushed into a position to accommodate more room for the growing baby.  The ribs tip back, the pelvis widens, the shoulders and head may round forward slightly.  All of this adjusting, plus the added weight of the abdomen, put a lot of strain on the lower back.  When we put a woman who is in her last months of pregnancy on her belly, even with props, that pressure on the low back is exacerbated.  We can avoid all of that pressure altogether with a side-lying position.

Using a body pillow and head pillow, most pregnant women confirm that this is how they sleep and feel relaxed almost immediately. For the unique specialty case where a woman is not comfortable with these pillows alone, we have many other options for helping them get as relaxed and comfortable as possible.

As always, we love hearing from you and answering your questions, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.  We hope you are well and look forward to hearing from you soon.

Yours in health, Gina Tibbs

Importance of Communication

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If I were granted a single wish, it would be to get clients and therapists alike to understand the importance of communication in therapeutic bodywork.

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Truths and Myths Surrounding Prenatal Massage

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One of the most rewarding parts of working with specialized populations such as expectant moms, is dispelling common myths about what type of massage is and is not appropriate for them. In many of my lectures about prenatal work, my first comment to the therapists in my class is, “Pregnant women are not sick! It’s Ok to touch them!” Read more

In the Hours After Your Massage

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After a massage, you may notice a lot of changes going inside your body and mind that often bothers us. Fortunately, we have some tips for you to do after a massage in order to help you get its full benefit and reduce any possible soreness. Read more

Get the Most Out of Your Massage with Great Communication

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Good communication with your massage therapist is essential to get the most out of your massage Read more