How Safe Is It to Get a Massage for Your Pregnancy Back and Leg Pain?

The weight of the growing belly, hormonal and physical changes and overwhelming emotions can do a lot to an expecting mother. Back pain and leg pain are two of the most dreadful experiences that a mother has to go through at the time of pregnancy. Many women are worried if getting a massage is safe for them during this time, and the answer is YES.

Leg and back pain during pregnancy is caused due to clenched and tightened muscles around the nerves, which compress the nerves and can cause sciatic nerve pain. It can also lead to joint swelling. In such cases, a massage from an experienced practitioner brings calm and gives a soothing experience.

When to get a massage during pregnancy?

It is recommended that you should avoid getting a prenatal massage in the first three months of your pregnancy. This is because the first trimester carries a risk of miscarriage and the increased blood flow during a prenatal massage might be harmful. A prenatal massage may also trigger your nausea and dizziness. Additionally, there are pressure points in the body that can potentially induce labor. As a result, it's best to avoid a prenatal massage during the first trimester of pregnancy or until you've received a green light from your doctor.

However, in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, getting a prenatal massage can help a lot to alleviate body pains such as leg and back pain during pregnancy. To be on the safer side, it's best to check with your doctor before getting a prenatal massage especially if you have gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, morning sickness, high blood pressure and/or abdominal pain or bleeding.

Benefits of prenatal massage for leg and back pain

Here are some of the most important benefits of getting a prenatal massage to alleviate leg and back pain during pregnancy:

1. Helps in reducing stress

Despite the excitement of growing a life inside the womb, pregnancy can be a stressful time for women. The sudden hormonal changes, body changes and anxiety for the future can raise the stress levels of pregnant women. A prenatal massage can help reduce stress, increase happy hormones and calm the body and mind.

2. Relieving joint pain and sore muscles

The rapid weight gain and numerous changes taking place inside a woman's body during pregnancy can cause the muscles to become sore and induce pain in the joints. A prenatal massage can help soothe body aches, joint pain and sore muscles.

3. Reduces swelling

Swelling during pregnancy is caused by fluid retention and is most visible on the ankles and feet. A prenatal massage can help redistribute the fluids and reduce them from accumulating and causing swelling.

4. Aids in the reduction of headaches

Many women suffer from headaches and migraines during pregnancy. This can be due to hormones or the muscle tension in the head, neck and shoulders. Getting a massage during pregnancy can help alleviate this built-up tension and relieve headaches during pregnancy.

5. Improves sleeping pattern

Most women struggle to get adequate sleep during pregnancy. This can be due to the rapid increase in hormones, the growing belly, leg cramps and back pain during pregnancy. Prenatal massage helps increase serotonin levels in the body, which helps to relax the mind and improve sleep patterns.

6. Improves blood circulation

Good circulation is important during pregnancy as the blood volume increases during these 9 months. Massage helps the blood to flow through the body and prevents it from pooling and clotting.

Is a Prenatal Massage Safe During Pregnancy?

It is entirely safe for women to get a massage during pregnancy and get relief from intolerable leg and back pain. The use of aromatherapy ayurvedic oils for prenatal massage helps in providing relief from leg and back pain.

Getting back and foot massages with a gentle, rejuvenating ayurvedic oil such as Ayurvedic Dhanwantaram oil can help relieve some of these symptoms, and applying pressure on acupressure points on the back and leg can alleviate inflammation and swelling. Dhanwantaram Oil is well-known for its anti-inflammatory, pain relief and skin tightening properties. Prepared using amla, ashwagandha, sesame and cow milk, it is the perfect recipe for relieving muscle cramps, improving blood circulation and reducing fatigue and tiredness during pregnancy.

So, mamas-to-be, throw all your doubts away and get yourself a relaxing massage from a massage therapist to relax and make the pain go away.

You may like: 7 Ways to relieve back and leg pain in pregnancy