What to expect

What to expect during your prenatal massage

Prenatal massages are adapted for the anatomical changes brought on by pregnancy to ensure that your session is comfortable and safe. While traditional massage positions might leave you feeling nauseous or uncomfortable during pregnancy, prenatal massage therapists can accommodate your changing body with customized positions and techniques to help you reach a calm and relaxed state.

Prenatal massage techniques

During your prenatal massage, your therapist will adjust their technique to address the changes experienced by pregnant women. Keeping this in mind, the following five strokes from Swedish massage make up the foundation of prenatal massage:

  • Effleurage: Smooth, flowing strokes to relax the soft tissue and stimulate blood flow.
  • Petrissage: Squeezing, rolling, or kneading to reach the deeper layers of soft tissue.
  • Friction: Deep pressure applied in small circular or cross-fiber movements to penetrate deeper tissues.
  • Tapotement: Stimulating technique involving rhythmic tapping, drumming, or cupping of the tissue.
  • Vibration: A fine trembling movement which leads to relaxation, improved nerve function, and muscle relaxation.
Prenatal Techniques

Benefits of prenatal massage

Prenatal massage is most often used to help pregnant women find calm and ease by reducing stress hormone levels and relaxing and loosening the muscles. However, prenatal massage also offers many other benefits, such as:

1. Pain management

Improves local circulation and reduces muscle tension in painful areas to decrease joint and muscle pain, particularly in the neck and back.

2. Sciatica relief

Loosens and warms the muscles in the low back, hips, and glutes to release excess pressure on the Sciatic nerve.

3. Improved sleep

Increases serotonin levels so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.


4. Improved blood flow

Increased circulation improves your body’s ability to deliver blood and oxygen to muscles and organs. This is important, as it counteracts slowed circulation during pregnancy and enhances the blood flow to your growing fetus.

5. Increased energy

Increases circulation and decreases stress levels to leave you feeling more energized.

6. Improved mood

Increases serotonin and dopamine levels, significantly impacting your mood.


7. Reduced swelling

Promotes circulation and lymphatic drainage, reducing swelling in the hands and feet.

8. Headache relief

Improves circulation and stress reduction, the most common causes of headaches and migraines.

9. Reduced carpal tunnel relief

Helps the flow of lymph, addressing the lymph buildup causing excess swelling and pressure on the median nerve and reducing carpal tunnel symptoms.

Prenatal massage near me

If you or anyone you know could benefit from the positive effects of prenatal massage, book your next in-home massage session with Bigtoe. With affordable prices, easy bookings, and sessions entirely designed by you, for you, there's no time like the present to enjoy a prenatal massage.

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