Students of a massage school in Austin, TX might be already familiar with the techniques of massaging a typical adult client – be it man or woman. But what if your client is pregnant? Moms to be usually deal with lots of aches and pains, for which massages might offer a relief. Given the fact that they are carrying that extra life in their womb, how are you supposed to position them on the massage table? Should you use the usual strokes or be gentler? Is it okay to target the stomach are where the belly could already be protruding? To answer these questions and more, let’s take a look at the do’s and don’ts that you need to remember when administering a pregnancy massage.
Things to Do When Giving a Pregnancy Massage
The number one thing that you need to remember if you’d like to specialize in pregnancy massage is that not all massage therapists can do it. Only those who went through proper training from a massage school near Austin, TX or other massage schools can handle these extra-sensitive clients.
Here are other things to do – and remember – when giving a pregnancy massage:
- Make sure that the client is having a low-risk pregnancy.
Not all pregnant women are advised by their doctors to have massages. Typically, those who are having a normal, low-risk pregnancy are the best candidates. If your client is not sure if she is allowed to have a massage, have her ask her doctor first.
- Explain to your client how massage therapy will help her deal with aches and pains in parts of her body which she probably never complained about, until she got pregnant.
Massages are recommended for pregnant women because it offers relief from edema. This is when a pregnant woman’s hands, arms, legs, ankles, and feet become swollen due to fluid retention. It also helps release happy hormones or serotonin, while also helping decrease the risks or complications of delivery. Make sure that your client is aware of these benefits so that she’ll appreciate the massage more.
- Know how to position a pregnant client on the massage table.
Sideline positioning is best for pregnant clients. Make sure that there are soft cushions on the client’s side to offer physical support, while also alleviating the stress in the pelvic and lower back areas. Communicate often with your client and make sure that she is extremely comfortable with her position – especially if she’s already in the advanced stages of pregnancy – before starting the massage session.
Things NOT to Do When Giving a Pregnancy Massage
Next, what are the things that you should NOT do when giving a pregnancy massage? What’s most important is for you to know which parts of a pregnant woman’s body are safe to massage – and which parts are not. Do not use more pressure than is necessary, especially on the area near here breasts and belly. Also, do not position your client on the massage table in such a way that prolonged lying down will put a strain on her lower back or belly.
Some of the massage techniques used for pregnant women are reflexology and Swedish. Depending on the stage of pregnancy the client is in, one may be personally preferable than the other. Remember these things if you’re a graduate of a Austin, TX massage school who specializes in pregnancy massage – and you will offer vast physical relief for the aches and pains of soon-to-be-moms.
If you are interested in learning massage therapy, then consider attending our massage therapy school in Austin, TX! Check out our Massage Therapy Program today!