Pregnancy Swelling and Massage

If you’ve ever experienced swelling, you know it’s not fun. Along with the joys of pregnancy come physical discomforts, one such is swelling. Today, we’ll discuss how a specific massage technique called Manual Lymphatic Drainage is safe and helpful in significantly reducing the pain that accompanies swelling during a pregnancy. But first, you must understand the pregnant body.

What is Swelling

Let’s get “The Good Doctor” for a second and call this painful condition its medical term edema. This an abnormal collection of fluids in your body that accumulates and produces a certain state of puffed up looking skin that is tender to the touch. In pregnancy, swelling is concentrated mostly in the extremities such as the arms and legs as well as the fingers and toes. Extreme swelling or pitting edema could be a sign of hypertension and should be monitored.

However, if it’s slight swelling that doesn’t pose a danger, this is an unfortunate side effect for some women while they are pregnant. Due to the hormones or a lack of circulation from low energy some bodies tend to slow down in the circulation of your lymphatic system.

This unique and marvelous system is responsible for picking up all the toxins and debris in your bloodstream and delivering it to the lymph nodes. It’s very important that this system runs smoothly because they work similar to garbage collectors and the sewage system of the body (note: there are other systems and organs responsible for detox but today we are focusing on the lymph system only).

Suffering with Swelling

If your body produces much swelling during pregnancy it’s a terribly uncomfortable state to be in. Because you are pregnant, it’s best to utilize natural forms of therapy to alleviate your system. One method includes keeping your feet elevated.

This may sound relieving but it’s not very practical if you’re relatively healthy and a busy mother-to-be. If you have young ones it can be even more challenging to find the time to keep your feet elevated all day. Nonetheless it’s a good discipline to practice at home during the night when you’re resting.

Lymphatic Drainage

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a technique that can be incorporated into a therapy session. Depending on your state of swelling and how severe it is, your therapist may spend much or little time using this technique. Keep in mind that lymphatic drainage is precisely what it’s called, the massage therapist is draining your lymph fluid towards your lymph nodes.

It’s very different work than kneading muscles and it’s also very light work. When you first experience it, you might be tempted to believe that the therapist is not working at all. However, in order for it to be effective, your therapist must work above the muscle and just underneath the skin. This work is painstakingly slow but the results are real and truly incredible. It brings such a relief once your session is over.

Locating a Therapist

When seeking a massage therapist that offers this it’s best to work with some that has experience in seeing those that would commonly have edema. These could be: those who are pregnant, post surgery patients or those with circulatory issues. Keep in mind that lymph circulation and blood circulation are not the same thing. The therapist normally works with little to no oil or cream because they must gain traction and too much oil would make the skin too slippery. Ask friends and family if they recommend a massage therapist that has worked successfully with any of the above mentioned candidates. You may also ask OB/GYN physicians, surgeons and midwives if they have a massage therapist they refer to.

In conclusion manual Lymphatic drainage is a healthy and natural form of reducing swelling during your pregnancy. Add it to your massage therapy sessions and enjoy the benefits of this time tested method that’s helped so many others.