Why have Shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy?
This article is about some reasons why you might want to have shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy. You might also want to read the article which covers some frequently asked questions about shiatsu and massage in pregnancy.
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If you want to learn some shiatsu and massage for pregnancy and birth then you might want to buy our book Beautiful Birth or do the related on line course
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Why have Shiatsu and massage during your pregnancy? They give support for the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy: shiatsu massage pregnancy
Shiatsu and massage during your pregnancy offer support for your changing body, they can help you maintain good posture and muscle tone, providing relief from common aliments such as back ache, swelling, varicose veins. By providing a relaxing, safe space they can support your well being and offer a space for processing the emotional changes. They can also help you become more aware of your baby and changing body and help prepare you for labour. Common aliments such as constipation, morning sickness and heartburn can be addressed.
Shiatsu and massage during your pregnancy may give relief from many of the physical symptoms of pregnancy
Receiving shiatsu and massage during your pregnancy will help you become more aware of your body and you will be shown how to adapt your basic standing and sitting positions to support the pregnancy. You will also be shown other positions which might be helpful and simple stretches and exercises which you can easily incorporate into your daily life. Understanding how to adapt to your changing body can help ease many of the common symptoms such as back aches, head aches, shoulder tension, swollen ankles and feet. Of course, during your treatment work will be included which will address these problem areas and issues.
Shiatsu and massage during your pregnancy give support for the emotional changes of pregnancy
Pregnancy is a time of big emotional changes and often there is little space given for this in your normal antenatal care. As many women are having to juggle busy lives with work and family comitments, it can often feel quite a stressful time. Simply having an hour or more space as you receive shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy just to be able to relax and tune into what is going on can be extremely beneficial. Seeing a practitioner who you can trust and having regular contact with them during your pregnancy, can provide a safe space in which you can air concerns. All bodywork addresses emotional issues in some way, as emotions are stored in our body. Pregnancy shiatsu includes work with meridians which have direct connections to different emotional aspects of our being. A key aspect of work in pregnancy is to support you with developing your connection with your growing baby. This will be tailored to what feels appropriate and comfortable for you: often abdominal massage is one of the most enjoyed moment of the treatment, but not all women may want work on their abdomen. Sometimes breathing awareness or visualisations can be included as appropriate. If the therapist feels you need more psychological or other support than they can offer, they will refer you to other practitioners, and they may or may not continue to work along side them . They should also be able to provide information on local support networks such as Twins groups or pelvic pain groups as well as different types of classes such as yoga or swimming for pregnancy.
Shiatsu touch during pregnancy
Receiving shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy also have benefits for your baby
A calm, relaxed environment is likely to be of benefit for the baby as well as the mother. It may help encourage mother/baby connection/bonding as well as optimal fetal positioning
More on this can be found in this blog on baby shiatsu and massage
Receiving shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy can offer complementary support to your primary care: midwifery or obstetrical.
As shiatsu and massage are simply supporting your body then there is nothing which would be incompatible with your conventional medical care. Indeed they often help to fill in gaps such as having a little more space to discuss particular issues and having continuity of care. We always suggest that you discuss your shiatsu or massage during your pregnancy with your midwife or obstetrician and ask them any specific questions. Our therapists will always collaborate with your primary care provider and many of them work alongside them and teach them shiatsu or massage skills
