Chances are you've heard a lot about the advantages of getting a massage during pregnancy. However, you may not know that there are also advantages of getting a postpartum massage. As you may know from experience, adjusting to motherhood can be very stressful and difficult. Postpartum bodywork is one way to help mothers make this adjustment as smoothly as possible. If you're not sure whether you should get a postpartum massage, here are some of the many advantages.
Relaxation and Stress Reduction
One of the advantages of postpartum massage is that it can help lower stress hormones, relax muscles, and increase circulation. Many mothers enjoy significant stress relief after a postpartum massage. Your body will enjoy this relaxing treatment after nine months of rapid change ending with the delivery of a new human being. Some mothers opt for a light massage while other mothers prefer deeper techniques to get rid of the knots. If you want the massage to help facilitate more complete healing, you should consider craniosacral therapy and myofascial release. These massage styles will ensure stress reduction and relaxation.
Pain Relief
After pregnancy, many women experience residual body aches. Childcare and breastfeeding can also lead to back, shoulder, and arm pain. Massage is a holistic and effective approach that relieves pain and relaxes muscles without the use of medication. Skilled therapists can also deal with tingling and numbness. However, mothers who are experiencing severe or chronic pain may need to undergo multiple sessions.
Hormone Regulation
The final advantage of postpartum massage is hormone regulation. Progesterone and estrogen hormone levels are incredibly high during pregnancy and these levels fall drastically after delivery. Oxytocin and prolactin hormone levels increase to make breastfeeding a possibility. According to several studies, massage reduces cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Some types of essential oils cause mood and hormone balance.
There are several benefits to massage, but check with your medical provider before starting a massage regimen, discuss with them how long postpartum you should wait before getting a massage. You should also make sure to discuss whether or not you can have a full body massage or if there are parts of your body that should not be massaged.
To schedule your appointment with a certified professional, contact LaVida Massage of Fayetteville, AR today.
