massage for pregnant women?

[csexjudcilwihtebm]

Hi

I've been asked to massage a pregnant woman, who is 3 months pregnant.

This is the first time i've massaged a pregnant woman and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions/tips? I know I shouldn't do any deep tissue massage, but I'm not sure what position she should be in?

And although i can't do deep massage, how can i treat knots & tight tension?

thanks

Rachel

 

[OscarMeyerRina<3]

Hi Rachel

If you use the search facility you will see there is a whole wealth of info on this subject including positions etc.....I am interested to know why you think you cannot use deep tissue on someone who is pregnant...if you cant find the links give us a shout....

Tigs
xx

 

[Vishwas]

Hi Tig

Did do a search and found some threads about massaging very pregnant women, on their sides or in chairs. But I wondered if that was true of someone at 3 months, or if they are ok to lie on their front?

On our course we were told not to massage pregnant women before they were 3 months pregnant (increases chances of miscarriage) and after then to not do any deep tissue and do lots of effleurage. But I'm sure if i had a heavy weight on my front i'd want some deep tissue work on my strained back muscles! So I'm a bit confused about that...

rachel

 

[M.3]

Hiya Rachel
Thanks for your reply....the fact that massage may or may not increase chance of miscarriage before 12 weeks is speculation it is more for the insurance cover and the apportion of blame that you may get...if you see what i mean... If i'd had effluerage massage when i was pregnant i would have been mortified!!!!! but each to their own hey

Basically the stomach thing....if they are comfortable lying on their stomach they can....however my only caution is that I (ME) am not comfortable massaging a woman on her lower back at this time and from experience the woman does not relax during this bit....so I still tend to sit them up...they know then in the heads that they will only be getting the pressure from the massage and not pressure forced through onto the stomach if that makes sense..however if they want to lie down as for instance they have really bad shoulders/neck etc thats fine as you are aware from anywhere sensitive....I have had women in early preg. who just wanted only the upper 2 thirds of their back doing...
basically talk to your client, reassure her and give her the option and the power to choose her treatment and then just go with the flow...hope that is off some help to you..

Tigs
xx

 

[Santa In Your Panties]

Thansk for all the advice, it all went very well. My client felt comfortable lying on her stomach, and I made sure the pressure was light around the lower back, with no deep tissue.

I had occasional moments of fear, when terrifying thoughts about miscarriage would pop into my head(!), but at the end of it seeing how calm & relaxed she was, was really brilliant. She's having a crummy pregnancy with lots of sickness and lower back pain, so it was great to be able to help.

Thanks again

Rachel x