Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension.

While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found that body work may also be helpful for:

✦ Anxiety

✦ Digestive disorders

✦ Fibromyalgia

✦ Headaches

✦ Insomnia related to stress

✦ Myofascial pain syndrome

✦ Paresthesias and nerve pain

✦ Soft tissue strains or injuries

✦ Sports injuries

✦ Temporomandibular joint pain

Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, some people enjoy bodywork because it often involves caring, comfort, a sense of empowerment and creating deep connections with their body workers.

To undress to a comfortable level and to lay on a table for the duration of the session, part of the time on your back, and part of the time on your stomach. Organic, hypoallergenic bodywork lotions, gels, and occasionally 1 – 2 essential oils are applied to the body during the session.  

1. Reduce Swelling

When your feet, legs, and hands start swelling during pregnancy, it is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels. Massage can help stimulate the soft tissue, move the extra fluid, and reduce the swelling, leaving you feeling more comfortable.

2. Relieve Lower Back Pain

Pregnancy massage improves lower back pain including sciatic nerve pain by addressing the tight muscles in the affected area. Prenatal massage increases blood flow and helps release the tension that can be brought on naturally by pregnancy.

3. Improve Sleep

Getting good quality sleep becomes harder and harder as your pregnancy progresses. Prenatal massage relaxes the nervous system and releases feel good hormones. This will leave you more relaxed and let you sleep better. That is something we all need!

4. Prepare Your Body for Labor and Birth

Prenatal Massage can help you have an easier delivery, not only because it can reduce your overall stress level but also because of how well it can keep your muscles toned and relaxed in advance of the start of labor. Studies show that women reportedly had shorter hospital stays, shorter labors and less incidence of post-natal depression when receiving massages.

5. Relieve Pain Naturally

Prenatal massage offers a natural, safe, drug-free alternative for pain relief. This is beneficial since the use of medications is limited during pregnancy for the safety of your baby. The increased blood flow to your tissues and the relaxation your body will experience during and after a session can significantly alleviate many of the common discomforts of pregnancy.