Labor is a painful time for women. However massage therapy is one way in which women can ease the pain that comes with labor. This is because massage stimulates the body into producing endorphins. When endorphins are released they will cause you to feel happy and relaxed and this will help to make labor more bearable.
If you think massage therapy might be useful to you when you go into labor, then here are a few tips that will help you.
Dilute Essential Oils
Essential oils are great for doing massages. However, they can be very strong, so whatever essential oil you decide on, you should make sure that you dilute it with a base oil before using it in labor. Good base oils are almond oil and grapeseed oil. Dilute every two drops of your favorite essential oil with a teaspoon of base oil.
Areas To Massage
The best areas to massage during labor are the shoulders and the back. You may end up wanting both of them in labor or you may benefit from having just one. You and your birth partner should communicate during labor to see which option is right for you. Here are some techniques that you can use for both types of massages.
1. Shoulder Massages
Shoulder massages are good for labor because they help you to breathe more evenly. Breathing evenly will allow more oxygen to get to you and your baby during labor. The best way to do a shoulder massage during labor is to have your birth partner apply essential oil all over your shoulder blades and stroke from the top of your shoulder down to your elbows. This should be done in a rhythmic and firm manner. Another method is to have your birth partner rest their hand on top of your shoulders and use their thumb to massage under your shoulder blades in circular motions.
2. Back Massages
A lower back massage can help to ease labor pains. A good technique for massaging the back during labor is to let your birth partner rub essential oil on your lower back and use the flat of their hand to stroke down your spine. Another technique that can be used is to have your birth partner place the heel of their hand at the base of your spine and press firmly especially during contractions.
Shoulder and back massages can offer you great comfort during labor. In order to take advantage of the benefits of massage, you should plan ahead of time and practice with your birth partner. In this way you will both be well prepared to apply the massage techniques when labor begins.
To learn more, contact a company such as Excellence In Health Chiropractic & Rehab Clinic with any questions or concerns you have.
Share28 April 2015
Do you remember the first day you woke up with back pain? If you are like most folks, you probably tried to write off the problem until you realized that the issue was impacting your mobility. Back pain is serious, but not everyone takes the issue seriously at first. Not only can a little back spasm make it hard to shower, walk, or even sit comfortably, but back pain can also be a symptom of a deeper problem. The goal of my blog is to educate the public about back pain, so that you know how to tell when you are really in trouble.
