Reset Chiropractic Blog

There are a variety of massage techniques that can be incorporated safely during pregnancy depending on your changing needs. Common techniques include:

• Swedish Massage: Uses light to medium pressure strokes to warm up muscles, boost circulation, promote relaxation and relieve aches and pains. This is the most universally used technique.

Swedish massage is often a foundational technique in prenatal massage. The warming strokes enhance circulation, loosen muscles and promote a calm state while safely working around a growing belly. Expect lighter pressure strokes tailored to your comfort levels.

• Deep Tissue Massage: Applies deeper pressure focused on releasing chronic muscle tension and knots. Must be performed cautiously during pregnancy and avoided if high-risk.

Deep tissue can be incorporated carefully where needed to address individual areas of strain and chronic holding patterns. However, forceful deep pressure over the abdomen should be avoided. Your therapist will gauge depth based on your feedback and pregnancy stage.

• Trigger Point Therapy: Isolated pressure to painful “trigger points” in tight muscle fibers to alleviate muscle spasms, referred pain and headaches.

Trigger points develop where muscles have shortened and tightened creating tender knots. These are common in the shoulders, neck and back during pregnancy. Targeted pressure on trigger points brings tremendous relief.

• Neuromuscular Therapy: A form of deep tissue massage that eliminates trigger points and realigns the muscular system through applied pressure.

Your therapist may gently compress and release knotted muscles using neuromuscular techniques if appropriate. This deep work targets chronic holding patterns and can help rebalance posture. Feedback determines safe depth.

• Myofascial Release: Gentle sustained pressure melts away restrictions in the fascia or connective tissue that encases muscles to relieve tension, pain and postural imbalance.

This technique doesn’t require deep pressure, making it very pregnancy-friendly. Myofascial release helps loosen restrictive fascial adhesions caused by growing belly, postural shifts and bodily strain. The sustained compression gently stretches and hydrates fascia.

• Lymphatic Drainage: Ultra light rhythmic pumping motions activate circulation and drainage of the lymphatic system to filter waste, toxins and excess fluid from body tissues. Helpful in reducing pregnancy-related swelling.

The subtle pumping motions of lymphatic drainage massage gently stimulate fluid movement through the lymphatic vessels. This reduces swelling in places like the hands, feet and legs. Precise rhythm and direction is used to aid drainage and filtration.

• Craniosacral Therapy: Gentle hand contact assesses and balances membranes, cerebrospinal fluid and bones of the skull and sacrum to relieve headache and tension.

The ultra-light touch in craniosacral therapy accesses the craniosacral system with little to no pressure. This assists with tension, pain, nausea and other prenatal symptoms without deep movements.

• Reflexology: Stimulation of reflex zones on the feet and hands activates corresponding organs and areas of the body through neurological connections. Helps stimulate pelvic region circulation and calming of stress systems.

Reflexology applied to the feet, especially targeting the reproductive reflex zones, sends signals of ease and blood flow to the uterus without any direct contact. The additional relaxation benefits counter stress.

Expect sessions to be slower-paced, more gentle and avoid deep abdominal pressure. You will spend time on your side or using specially designed pregnancy cushions and bolsters to ensure comfort and safety. Communication with your therapist is key so they can accommodate your evolving needs and sensitivities.