Any woman that struggles to conceive will try absolutely anything from fertility-boosting foods, IVF, fertility drugs, hypnotherapy to acupuncture. The latest and growing trend is a fertility massage which is specialized and a massage therapist will have a specific fertility massage service which is different from her other massage services.
A fertility massage is a very effective, gentle abdominal massage. A massage therapist would also use this form of massage for women with reproductive and digestive issues with an external back and belly massage.
The massage techniques used, aid in aligning the organs within your abdominal area to reduce and release pressures and to strengthen the area. A fertility massage helps your uterus that became compressed by feces impacted intestines, has become tilted and suffering from reduced circulation.
This massage technique supports and stimulates blood flow and circulation within the pelvic bone and abdomen to support your body for optimal function for reproductive and digestive wellness and health. Keep in mind that the artery that supplies your uterus with blood is also responsible for blood supply to your legs. Blood circulation is easily compromised when you lead a stressful or sedentary lifestyle.
There is an abundance of reasons why there is insufficient circulation to the uterus including scar tissue, endometrial tissues, inflammation, tight fascia, congestion, twisted fallopian tubes, or past surgeries in that area.
Benefits of Fertility Massage Therapy
Hormonal Balance
A fertility massage releases your feel-good hormones which include oxytocin. It promotes hormonal balancing as it clears the pathways between your endocrine system and your productive organs. You will notice that during your fertility massage, when your massage therapist does a tummy massage, your stomach may feel tight or hard. This is because many people are holding stress in their tummies and hormonal imbalances can start in your digestive system.
Removes Stagnation
Fertility massage techniques remove stagnant tissues and blood to clear congestion. In endometriosis, the health of the womb is improved as the massage will rid your body of old blood.
Oxygenated Blood
Your ovaries will have oxygenated, fresh blood which improves the egg health as well as improved circulation to your uterus and the organs surrounding the uterus.
Scar Tissue
Fertility massages help in breaking down adhesions and scar tissue from Caesarians, abdominal surgery and pelvic issues. Adhesion removal is an excellent non-intrusive method and therapy for endometriosis and blocked fallopian tubes as it decreases inflammation.
Pain Reduction
A massage is an excellent method to reduce pain as well as it releases endorphins. If you suffer from long-term pain a fertility massage is highly beneficial as the removal of old blood and scar tissue reduction will help in reducing pain.
Menstrual Cramps
While the aim of the fertility massage is to help you fall pregnant, we cannot help but mention that while you are on your way to becoming pregnant, a fertility massage has tremendous benefits for menstrual cramps as well. Research showed that after five weeks of massage therapy, women suffering from PMS showed a significant reduction in water retention, pain, and overall menstrual distress.
Prenatal Massage – Pregnancy and Massage
For centuries therapeutic massage has been an instrumental tool to relieve muscle tension, reduce stress, improve sexual and overall health. Decades ago, a massage during pregnancy got ambivalent responses from the medical community, about its purpose and safety. However, modern research and investigation proved that prenatal massage can play an instrumental role in a woman’s prenatal care and that women should give it consideration.
Pregnancy and Massage – Benefits of Prenatal Massaging
Studies show that pregnancy massage techniques can relieve joint pains and muscle aches, decrease symptoms of depression, reduce anxiety while improving labor outcome and the health of the newborn. Pregnancy massage addresses numerous needs with varying techniques, with one of the top massage techniques used called a Swedish Massage.
Swelling Reduction
Joint swelling or Edema during pregnancy is common and a major cause thereof is increased pressure and reduced circulation on the main blood vessels by the weight of the uterus. Through massaging, soft tissues are stimulated which reduce fluid collection in swollen joints. At the same time, it improves tissue waste removal that is carried by the lymph system.
Hormone Regulation
Studies and research done over the last decade proved that hormone levels that are associated with stress and relaxation are significantly altered when a pregnant woman visits a massage therapist regularly for a prenatal massage. This leads to improved cardiovascular health and mood regulation. Tests were done on pregnant women that received bi-weekly massages over a five-week period. They showed a reduction in cortisol and norepinephrine which are stress hormones. Moreover, they showed increased levels of serotonin and dopamine, which are hormones associated with depression when they get too low. The hormonal changes experienced through massage leads to fewer birth complications like low birth rate in newborns and fewer complications during birth.
Nerve Pain Improvement
In late pregnancy, most women experience sciatic nerve pain because of the uterus that rests on muscles of the lower back and the pelvic floor. This pressure of the uterus is spreading tension to the lower and upper leg muscles too which cause them to swell and therefore putting pressure on nearby nerves as well. Through massage therapy, the inflamed nerves are soothed and the tension on nearby muscles are released. Women that go to a massage therapist during pregnancy experience a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain.
Additional Benefits of a Prenatal Massage
- Improved sleep
- Improved oxygen to muscles and soft tissues
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Reduce headaches and muscle tension
- Reduce edema
- Improve circulation
- Reduce joint pain
- Reduce back pain
When to avoid a massage during pregnancy
A question that many women ask their massage therapist is when they should start and until when a pregnancy massage is safe. You can start or continue your massage therapy at any point and throughout your entire pregnancy. However, you need to consult with your medical practitioner or obstetrician first.
Before you find a massage therapist your health-care provider and therapist should be aware of previous conditions that place your pregnancy at risk. This include:
- You recently gave birth
- Experiencing high blood pressure or severe swelling
- Previous pre-term labor
- Preeclampsia
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- High-risk pregnancy
Your overall prenatal health can improve with regular massage and incorporated into your routine care as a physical and emotional health supplement. Before you start any therapeutic practice including prenatal massage consult your obstetrician or midwife and once you have the green light enjoy the incredible benefits that can improve your maternal health and pregnancy outcome.