As moms go through physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, it is a must to adapt to a new lifestyle so that you can safely and healthily welcome your newborn baby. With body changes, added weight, and a bigger tummy than the usual, pains and aches are inevitable! From cramps, tense muscles, back pain and the likes brought by carrying a baby in your womb for 9 months, the struggle is realer than ever — especially towards the end of the first trimester. But thanks to massage for pregnancy, pains and aches are not forever!
Physical changes and aches experienced in pregnancy
Raising a child is no joke, but before you go through that, you need to experience another challenge which is being a pregnant. Since your tummy is stretched out for at least 9 months, your hormones and physical attributes are changing day-by-day. With that, you may experience:
- body aches in back, abdomen, groin area, and thighs;
- cramps;
- skin itching;
- dental pain and sensitivity;
- headaches;
- swelling of body parts;
- stretch marks and skin changes (darker skin, melasma);
- varicose veins (swollen or enlarged veins);
- larger and fuller breasts;
- hemorrhoids;
- constipation;
- dizziness;
- fatigue and sleep problems;
- heartburn and indigestion;
- morning sickness;
- nasal problems;
- numb or tingling hands; and
- urinary frequency and leaking.
These kinds of pains, aches, changes, and discomforts can show up at any point in pregnancy. It can occur whether your big tummy is visible to the naked eye or not. They are more frequent beginning in the 14th week (start of the second trimester).
What is a massage for pregnancy?
A prenatal massage is a kind of massage therapy that is particularly intended for pregnant patients. Carrying a baby can bring lots of pain and aching physically especially on your breasts, back, neck, shoulders, abdomen, and groin. So taking a service for a pregnancy massage can make you feel good with all the pain you are suffering.
This massage relaxes tense muscles and removes the pain on swollen spots. This may be normal due to hormonal and physical changes but who would not want a sense of relief during pregnancy?
Is massage good for pregnant women?
No worries, massage for pregnant moms are safe if done by experts. As said by Tiffany Field of University of Miami School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, massages are effective pain relievers during pregnancy. On top of acupuncture, relaxation, yoga, and chiropractic therapies, a massage for pregnant remains the best option for therapies during one’s pregnancy.
Applying heat or cold can help soothe and prevent pregnancy aches and pains immediately in the four corners of your home but sometimes, it is much better if you will seek help to other people for massages for less stress and less physical activity. Less tiring, less physical work and less stress for you — let a therapist for pre-natal massage do the work!
Having massage for pregnancy before labor
Studies on labor pain for pregnant women claim that women or expecting mothers who received massage for pregnancy in their prenatal experienced noticeably less pain. Furthermore, their labors consume lesser span of time as it can go on an average of three (3) hours shorter than the usual with less need for medication.
What research says about massage for pregnancy
Here are the things you will read and learn and these might convince you to book your prenatal massage right away:
- The National Center for Biotechnology Information says that massage for pregnancy has been proven to be helpful during pregnancy as this kind of massage therapy for pregnant women decreases depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. This just tells us that all kinds of pain — whether mental or physical — will be relieved and taken away by the magical hands of therapist as they perform pre-natal massages.
- The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) claims that massage and pregnancy is a good combination! If you received massage for pregnancy twice weekly for five weeks, you will benefit from it as you will experience lessened anxiety, better mood swings, improved sleep and a lesser amount of pain at the back.
- ScienceDirect tells pregnant women that anxiety and depression may be experienced by pregnant women as their research says that it is common because occurrence of these mental situations ranges from 4.1% to 20%. Given this fact, anxiety and depression can also be reduced through non-pharmacological treatments like massages for pregnancy.
Massage for pregnancy in the Philippines at your service
Now that we have proven that prenatal massages are best for body pains and aches, safe according to healthcare professionals and the best choice among other moms, let’s now check where to get pregnancy massage whether you live in Luzon (Metro Manila), Visayas (Cebu), and Mindanao (Davao)!
Best Massage for Pregnancy in Metro Manila
MassageMNL
From MassageMNL Facebook account.
MassageMNL claims to be the number one in the field of specialized home service massage here in the Philippines. They offer affordable and accessible premium wellness treatments to every family. They are only exclusive to home service for now that caters to several locations like Metro Manila, Rizal (Angono, Binangonan, Antipolo, Taytay, Cainta, Marikina and San Mateo), Parañaque, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, CAMANAVA (South Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) but has minimum massage hours and additional ₱100 for transportation depending on the location.
Mom Massage Services
From Mom Massage Services Facebook page.
Offering exclusive to home service only, Mom Massage Services extends their massages of pregnancy services within the cities of Metro Manila such as Quezon City, Marikina, Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Manila, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, San Juan, Alabang, Paranaque, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, and Las Piñas. They also cover some parts of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna. Their prenatal massage service aims to relieve the various pains of child bearing but they could only accept women on their sixth month onwards. Otherwise, a doctor’s written consent will be required.
Blue Tranquility Mobile Spa
From Blue Tranquility Home Service Massage Facebook page.
Blue Tranquility Mobile Spa’s concern is their clients’ and therapist safety and wellness. In terms of safety, all of their massage therapists undergo regular nasal swab testing to make sure that they remain COVID-19 free. The pre-natal massage that they offer can be experienced at the comfort and convenience of your own home, office or hotel.
Best Massage for Pregnancy in Cebu
At Home Massage and Spa Cebu
From At Home Massage and Spa Cebu Facebook page.
At Home Massage and Spa Cebu boasts their spa quality service at the comfort of your own home but they recommend avoiding in availing their services in the first trimester and is not recommenced if you have certain medical conditions.
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa
From Plantation Bay Resort & Spa website.
This spa location aims to relax, unwind and smooth away your stress, worries, aches and pains. Plantation Bay Resort and Spa’s “Massage For Pregnant Women” is strictly done only on to the pregnant women’s second trimester of pregnancy.
Best Massage for Pregnancy in Davao
Elysia Wellness Spa
From Elysia Wellness Spa Facebook page.
In the business of caring and healing, Elysia Wellness Spa is the best in Davao. They offer massage and spa treatments done within the spa and at home or hotel service strictly observing health and safety protocol.
Davao Magical Sanctuary Spa
From Davao Magical Sanctuary Spa Facebook page.
Davao Magical Sanctuary Spa vows to honor their stewardship to advocate nature’s living energy, essential oils, by promoting a community of healing and discovery while inspiring individuals to wellness, purpose, and abundance.
Choosing a massage for pregnancy
On massages for pregnancy, it is best that you choose services and therapist that are expert in pre-natal massages. Most of the time, the recommended type of massage for pregnancy is a light Swedish massage. But if you’re at home, a partner, friend or a trusted family or relative can do them for you as long as it is gentle and advised by the doctor.
In availing massages for pregnancy, check out this list that you need to consider:
- Location
- Availability
- Safety protocols
- Price
- Doctor’s advise
- Research
- Related articles
Recommendations
A relaxing massage of pregnancy can do wonders for mothers and for the baby as well. Truly, it helps a pregnant woman to calm down and chill out from the stresses of the day as it is not an easy task to be a mother carrying a baby for 9 long months.
