How often do you get them? My doctor and chiropractor have both recommended monthly prenatal massages for my chronic low back pain that's been exacerbated during pregnancy. I just had my first one today, and while it was nice-I'm used to extremely deep tissue massage that I can no longer get! Not sure if it's worth the investment. How often do you get prenatal massages?
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@dc yoga bee: I did my first prenatal massage around 4-6 months. Then I started doing them monthly. Now at 8.5 months I squeezed on in at 3 weeks in between and will probably do every 2 weeks until delivery.
I agree on missing the deep tissue massage. The cost also kills me but I have been hoarding gift certificates and taking the local reputable parental massage place up on any deals. I've really bought into the real health benefits though and think it relieves tension and helps my BP stay low!
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I got one once a month after the first trimester. They helped my back pain and helped me relax and sleep better. Worth it for me!
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I had a couple and thought they were a little weak for my taste, too! Not very relaxing if I'm annoyed I can barely feel the pressure. I've had better treatment by a chiro trained in ART. He's not afraid to push hard on muscles
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I had chronic lower back pain in pregnancy too and what helped the most was physical therapy. I saw a chiropractor and got massages, which were nice, but the only real pain relief came from PT. Also, you might want to ask your doctor about taking high doses of DHA. It can help fight inflammation, which is partly what caused my back pain. Once I started taking like 1000mg a day of DHA, the pain lessened. Just a couple of thoughts!
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I go to a PT once a week, so it isn't a regular massage....but he definitely does the deep tissue stuff in the spots I really need it. They have a maternity table and it is quite possibly my favorite part of the week. Plus, I only pay my 10% co-insurance (once i met my deductible) so it is a whole lot cheaper!
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@Mrs. Coral: @JerricaBenton: They told me to get started at 16 weeks, and I wasn't able to get in until today at 17 weeks due to the holidays. I'm hoping I sleep better tonight! I did enjoy the hour of relaxation, but man I missed my therapeutic work!
@blackbird: I don't remember what my chiropractor is trained in (just looked Her up- she's trained in a couple of methods but I remember her telling me she primarily uses Webster), but said since my issue is muscular she would rather I get massages. I'm gonna ask her about the ART method on Tuesday.
@yoursilverlining: My prenatal has 200mg DHA. I'll ask at my next apt about taking more!
@Mrs. Lion: The spa I went to is running a package special on a 5 pack of massages so I bought it since it's good for a year. I could always use it for deep tissue after pregnancy. PT would be waaay cheaper to treat my back pain for now though. I'll ask at my apt. Next week!
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I am not sure I understand, why shouldn't you get deep tissue massage while pregnant?
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@simplyfelicity: I'm wondering about this too. I'm 31 weeks and my pt hasn't mentioned this.
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@simplyfelicity: @Mrs. Lion: The doctor and massage therapist both warned that deep tissue can cause preterm labor, and that the focus is on relaxation instead. I used to work at a spa in college as a receptionist and the therapist never did deep tissue on pregnant clients. Plus, there's always that lawsuit waiting to happen.
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@dc yoga bee: yikes!! I actually started having contractions the afternoon after my last appointment and had to go to l&d! I was more worried about the exercises being a cause, but I should check into that too. I had no idea!
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I got weekly massages from 15 weeks on because I had sciatic nerve pain so badly. She did some deep, but not too deep, and it was heavenly. Lo is almost 15 months old.
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I bet not all prenatal messages are the same. I had one from a spa that was weak and several from the cranial sacral/message person I often see and they were great! She also does maya abdominal message and that has been so good.
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@dc yoga bee: if she doesn't advertise it, she's not trained in it, but she might know someone who is! My insurance bills it as partially physical therapy, too. It's a specialty technique that is muscular over bone. A lot of athletes gravitate towards it: http://www.activerelease.com/providersearch.asp it's just been so great for me and all my weird muscular issues. Even the deepest massages felt great for a few days, then the tightness would come back. But it wasn't deep all over, just where I was feeling pain. For me, I'm having really bad sciatic pain and its because my discs are inflamed and pushing on those nerves, causing inflammation in my butt muscles. So I get a really intense butt massage. And it hurts but in a way that releases a ton of pressure and tightness.
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@Mrs. Lion: Oh my goodness! I hope everything turned out okay.
@maddyz: If it's a standard prenatal massage it will more than likely be the Swedish technique
which is recommended by the APA. I'll see if I notice a more restful nights sleep tonight before completely writing prenatal massages off! -
@dc yoga bee: yes! We are fine
had to be on some meds to stop the contractions and they kept me overnight, but it's fine now. But, trying to keep that from happening again!
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I just had a massage today (I don't know if it's really a prenatal massage since I can still lie on my stomach) but the massage therapist also would not do deep pressure on the miserable chronic knots I get in my shoulder blades. She said it was because the lactic acid that gets released when muscle knots loosen up isn't good for baby.
I second ART therapy via a chiropractor--it has done wonders for me in the past. I plan to make a chiro appt this week.
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I had them weekly in my 3rd trimester. It helped tremendously with my lower back pain.
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I've been going once a month to help with lower back and neck pain (due to an old injury). While it is nice and relaxing, I really do miss the deep, harder massages by my regular massage therapist who also does CranioSacral Therapy. I always feel like if it hurts (good hurts!) while the massage is going on, its working! The lighter prenatal massages don't feel like they work as well but they do feel nice.
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I only started getting massages at the end of my pregnancy, but then I did them weekly. It really helped with all of the stiffness and discomfort in my back and hips.
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