Benefits of Post Natal Massage

New mother receiving a Post Natal Massage for stress relief and pain
It is widely known that women benefit from massage during pregnancy. Massage after pregnancy (known as post natal massage or postpartum massage) can also offer many benefits and can be equally important to a new mother's health and wellness.

Post natal massage offers relief from stress and pain, depression, as well as helping with hormone and neurochemical regulation, decreasing swelling, and improving comfort while breastfeeding. It may even help women get back their pre-pregnancy bodies more quickly.

Stress Relief and Relaxation

A quality massage relaxes muscles and improves circulation. In addition, the relaxation that massages offer helps the body release serotonin and dopamine, which are stress relief hormones. Not only does this relieve physical tension, but also the mental and emotional stress too. This is why massage can also help with postpartum depression, which is experienced by 10% to 15% of women.

Relieving Pain

Many women experience residual aches and pains following pregnancy and delivery. Just carrying a new baby can also lead to back pain and sore shoulders. If you are breastfeeding you need to steer clear of pain medication, and massage is an excellent alternative. Most doctors now recommend breastfeeding for at least the first twelve months. Getting some babies to breastfeed can be difficult and when first beginning to breastfeed it can actually be very painful and uncomfortable.

Post natal massage can help to ease the pain and increase milk production because it relaxes the chest muscles and opens up the shoulders. New studies have indicated that post natal massage also decreases the amount of sodium in breast milk, which increases the success of newborn suckling. It decreases the amount of time that it takes for a new mother and baby to get used to breastfeeding.

Promoting Hormone and Neurochemical Balance

Pregnancy causes dramatic hormone changes in a woman's body. Estrogen as well as progesterone levels rise substantially then decrease after delivery. During the postpartum phase the breastfeeding-related hormones, oxytocin and prolactin, rise. Cortisol, a stress hormone, also tends to fluctuate. All of these hormone changes have physical and emotional results, which are then coupled with the challenges of a new baby. Massage has been proven to lower cortisol levels as well as naturally regulate the neurochemicals, dopamine and serotonin, which can help with both anxiety and depression.

Combat Swelling

Along with hormones seeking balance after pregnancy the fluids in a woman's body also need to find balance. During pregnancy, your bodily fluids actually increase in volume by as much as 50%. As the body is returning to its pre-pregnancy fluid levels, it often leads to circulation issues and swelling of the hands and feet, which can cause discomfort. Massage stimulates proper circulation and helps with lymphatic drainage to get the fluids where they need to go.

Improved Sleep

Pregnancy and delivery take a toll on the body. Labor is exhausting and it is often followed by around-the-clock childcare during the first weeks of your new baby's life. Many women report feeling fatigued, but have a hard time falling to sleep, when sleep is available. It is common to fall asleep during a massage and regular post natal massage helps to improve your sleep at home, allowing you to fall asleep more quickly and feel more rested.

Yours in Good Health,
Eugene Wood
Licensed NYC Massage Therapist

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