Prenatal massage and acupuncture can provide significant benefits for both mother and baby. Studies have shown that massage during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, improve mood, lessen back and joint pain, aid sleep, and reduce complications during labor and the risk of premature birth. Massage and acupuncture also help reduce stress hormones like cortisol, which is thought to contribute to preterm birth. The emotional support and pain relief from these therapies can help pregnant women cope with the physical and mental challenges of pregnancy. Massage specifically can decrease muscle tension, lactic acid buildup, and nerve irritation caused by shifting centers of gravity. Highly trained therapists at Meridian can safely provide prenatal massage and acupuncture to support an easy pregnancy and

1. Prenatal Massageand Acupuncture: Benefits for Mom AND baby!
Various studies havedemonstrated that massagecan be greatly beneficial,as well as, safefor pregnant
women if provided by a trained and experienced massagetherapist.It can also be recognized that the developing
baby can benefit as well. In 1999, Dr. Tiffany Field at the University of Miami,published research results showing
that pregnant women who receive massageexperience: reduced anxiety, improved mood, reduced back pain and
improved sleep! The women who received massagereported fewer complications in labor and fewer premature
babies.As research in the field of alternativemedicinecontinues, ithas been clearly proven that massageand
acupunctureis effective in reducingthe stress-related hormone (cortisol), which may be viewed as a factor that
can contribute to premature babies.
As mentioned before, there are many benefits to prenatal massageand acupuncture; one of which is
emotional nurturing. Pregnancy can be both an excitingand anxious time for most women. The emotional
nurturingand centering that happens duringmassage and acupuncturetreatments cannot be undervalued for
women who commonly feel a new vulnerability and lack of control in their life.Not to mention the new wave of
pregnancy related hormones. A study published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that 63% of
pregnant women had decreased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Medically speaking,letit be known that
massageand acupuncture produces endorphins (the feel good hormones), reduces catecholamines (stress
hormones), and can lower blood pressure.
Whilewe are reducingstress in the body, we are also treatingpain.Itis well known and understood that
emotional stress can lead to physical stressand pain. As the fetus develops in utero, a woman’s muscular and
skeletal systems instinctively adjustto her new center of gravity. The muscles that arerequired to keep the spine
upright get taxed creatinga buildup of lactic acid in the muscles.These toxins adhereto the musclefibers and as a
resultcausenerve irritation.Massageand acupuncture is valuablein this situation in thatitcan break up those
adhesions,releasetrigger points caused by these irritated nerve bundles, and circulatenew blood though the area
to increaseoxygen and flush out toxins. Research published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
reports acupuncturecould reduce pain in the lower back alongwith pelvic pain.The study showed that 80% of
pregnant women in their late second and third trimesters had clinically significantreduction in pain after 1 week of
receivingacupuncture on specific points on the ear, wrists and ankles. This idea can be applied to the undesired
“pregnancy induced sciatica”which is,pain radiatingfromthe lower back and down the leg. More often than not,
this pain is caused by inflamed and irritated muscles in the hip (Piriformisand sometimes Gluteus Medius)
adjusting to the pregnancy posture and pressingon the sciaticnerve. If this nerve irritation iscaused by the
Piriformis and glutemuscles,the pain will notradiatepassed the knee joint.If this is the casefor you, book a
massageand/or acupuncture appointment sooner rather than later,we will know wat to do!
A reduction in jointpain is another common product of prenatal massage.As the weight of your
developing baby increases,so does your blood volume, interstitial fluid (swellingand edema) and intrauterine
fluid.Combined, this adds significantpressureon the hip, knee and anklejoints of an expecting mother. Massage
can reduce edema and increasecirculation around thosejoints to decrease pain.
With the healingpowers of acupuncture and massagetherapy, we can improve your sleep by calming
your nerves and emotions and decrease your pain. We can also provideyou with tips and tricks to help you sleep
more structurally comfortableto ensure you have a pain free night of sleep. In addition to the topics above,
studies have shown that acupuncturecan reduce morning sickness by balancingoutthe body’s hormones.
At Meridian,we have highly certified MassageTherapists and Acupuncturists who arehere to safely and
effectively assistwomen throughout any stage of their pregnancy to yield a happy and healthy mom and baby!

2. By Devon Jarvis R.Ac, RMT
References
Prenatal healththroughmassage therapy:ForWomenandTheirBabies.(2002). New Life Journal:
Carolina Edition,4(3), 3.