Massage for pregnancy wellbeing
During pregnancy, you will see your life, if not disrupted, at least changing in a big way. Massage can help provide harmony for both mind and body and brings positive vibes to your pregnancy.
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If you feel tired or anxious, there’s nothing like a massage to help you feel better. The physical feeling of wellbeing won’t fail to enhance your mental wellbeing too. Tranquillity, serenity, relaxation... so many words to describe the benefits of regular massage for pregnant women today...
Massage to banish stress
Your body has a lot of demands upon it when expecting a baby. The need to be touched, massaged, become fundamental, as important as the need for air, water or food. “Massage can reduce anxiety,” says Tatsuya Ozawa, Deputy Director of the Research Centre for Shiseido relaxation in Japan. Proving, with diagrams in hand, that massage therapy “regulates alpha wave rhythms in the brain”, the waves which produce a state of mind relaxation. Massage also produces a rush of endorphins, those famous tranquilising, pain and stress relieving substances.
Specialists agree in unison that massage helps future mothers approach the forthcoming birth in a calmer manner.
Massage to get an energy boost
For no apparent reason, you’re not particularly overworked, but you nevertheless feel extremely tired. It’s normal: your body is working very hard. Massage can provide a real energy boost.
Numerous tests carried out at the International Touch Research Institute in Miami confirm that the massage technique plays an important role in homeostasis – the body’s capacity to maintain certain physiological conditions constant, in particular the immune system. The balance card in some way.
Study results show an increase in Immunoglobulin A concentration, well known for its immune properties. A few massage sessions during these nine months can therefore help to boost your energy potential and help you acquire more immune resistance.
Internal massage through breathing
To better slide into your massage, as you would into a nice relaxing bath, breathe! “Breathing plays a primary role in a smooth pregnancy,” explains physiotherapist and masseur, Joël Savatofski. To get your breath back, you need to favour deep breathing. Inhaling lowers the diaphragm, which in turn, massages all the internal abdominal organs.
Exhaling while sighing at the same time gives a feeling of deep relaxation. Besides relaxation, this breathing exercise done regularly helps to reduce some pregnancy-related complaints such as dizziness, nausea and palpitations, which can appear right from the first months.
Breathing exercises can also help to ease feeling short-breathed and dizzy spells caused by breathing difficulties at the end of pregnancy.
Massage for a pregnant mind and body
For a pregnant woman, a healthy relationship with her body is essential and the changes taking place must go hand in hand with feeling good about yourself.
To get the most out of massage “Listen to your body”, says Alain Héril, sophrology analyst specialised in birth preparation. You need to make yourself available, give way to feelings, and listen to your body.
Massage gives you both time out and a deeper connection to yourself, enabling you to return radiant and relaxed. So treat yourself!
Copyright © 2010 Doctissimo
Posted 28.06.2011
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