Benefits of a Postpartum Massage

1. Pain Relief

Pelvic pain, leg pain, back pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, and general achiness are common after a pregnancy. And many new moms have neck pain that leads to headaches from breastfeeding or bottle feeding. A wide range of studies show that targeted postpartum massage can help with drug-free pain relief in all of these areas.¹ Harvard researchers have established that massage therapy regenerates sore, injured muscles and tissues, reduces inflammation, and promotes the body's natural healing and pain relief mechanisms.²

For instance, massage therapy releases the body’s natural pain-relief endorphins into the bloodstream while relaxing tight, sore muscles. Massage therapy provides the pain relief and healing women need to return to regular activity levels faster, and to decrease or avoid the need to rely on pain relief medications.

2. Relaxation and Stress Reduction

Stress and anxiety can overtake the joy of being a new mom, or compound the struggle of recovering after a miscarriage. Letting stress go untreated can have all kinds of negative health impacts³ during a time when you want to be as mentally healthy and present as possible. Fortunately, the same previously mentioned meta-studies on massage therapy show significant improvement in stress and anxiety relief for women postpartum. The physical mechanisms of reducing tension in the muscles and reducing pain have a natural calming effect. If you are struggling with emotional turmoil and postpartum depression after having your baby, help is available! In addition to massage, studies show that acupuncture can help relieve postpartum depression as well.⁴

3. Hormone Regulation

Going from trying to conceive to pregnancy, and from pregnancy to delivery, is a hormonal rollercoaster ride that can rival any amusement park offering. The stress and exhaustion that hits after delivery, as well as the natural process of the body recovering post-pregnancy, can cause hormone spikes and dips that are linked to poor sleep, inability to lose weight, depression, and pain perception. This rollercoaster ride, as well as physical aches and pains, can also clog the lymphatic system, causing toxins to build in your body, further disrupting healthy hormone regulation. Lymphatic massage and postpartum massage can help your body flush out toxins and balance your hormones through targeted touch and strokes that improve levels of feel-good hormones like dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin. This can boost your mood, promote relaxation, strengthen your immune response, and enhance your ability to get quality sleep.

4. Better Sleep

Speaking of improved sleep, the science is clear: sleep deprivation is dangerous to you and those around you. It can blunt your immune system, interfere with weight regulation, increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and cause accidents that stem from inattention and distraction.⁵ And by now, it’s easy to connect the dots between pain, stress, hormones, and sleep regulation for postpartum women. Whether you are up at all hours trying to feed and calm your baby, or anxiety and depression after a miscarriage have your brain wound up so tightly that it’s hard to relax into a restful sleep state, postpartum massage can help! By relaxing you both physically and mentally, massage can help you make the most of those precious head-to-pillow moments, which will help you recover and move forward feeling more rejuvenated when you wake up.

5. Increase Milk Production

A lot of factors go into successful lactation. It seems so natural for some moms, while it can be a stressful and even painful experience for others. If you are struggling, be assured that you are not alone, and there is no reason for you to feel guilty! You are doing your best! A postpartum massage could be the thing that helps the lactation process flow more smoothly and productively because of its ability to regulate hormones, reduce stress, and relieve pain. In fact, a recent study indicated that specialized postpartum massage could help specifically with breastfeeding by reducing breast pain.⁶

When Should You Start Postpartum Massages?

You can receive your first postpartum massage starting the day after delivery, and anytime you need it during the first 12 weeks postpartum. Naturally, this depends on your needs and comfort level, but generally, we recommend trying to schedule your first postpartum massage sometime within the first four days postpartum.

What Should I Do with My Baby During the Massage?

If you can come to the appointment on your own, this will give you some much-needed “me time” to relax and receive a healing postpartum massage without distractions. We do understand, however, that you might be breastfeeding and need to bring the baby. Talk with us ahead of time and we can make arrangements!

How to Choose a Qualified Massage Therapist?

Both prenatal and postnatal massage techniques are specialized modalities, and it’s important to choose a licensed massage therapist (LMT) with special training to help women as their bodies change and adapt. Our licensed massage therapists have incredible expertise in fertility-enhancing massage therapy (also called FEM protocol), which is a pre-pregnancy massage therapy designed to help women along their journey to getting pregnant.

Our massage therapists are also trained in Mercier therapy for women with abdominal and pelvic trauma, before or after pregnancy. We are also trained in specialized massage therapy for women undergoing IVF stimulation, with a particular understanding of both the benefits and care that must be taken during that time to reduce risks and enhance the chances of a positive pregnancy outcome.

Schedule an appointment with one of our amazing licensed massage therapists at any point during your fertility journey. Your body and mind will thank you.