Vancouver massage therapy is widely available. You can book a session with a Registered Massage Therapist in downtown Vancouver on this site or call 604-685-4325. Ask about the benefits that post- natal massage can have for new mothers.

The arrival of a new baby is a very exciting time, but it is also physically and emotionally difficult. Some women feel uncertain and apprehensive in their new maternal role. Many wish that their bodies would hurry up and return to their pre-pregnancy form. And, of course, there is the lack of sleep.

For most women the post-natal stage gets easier with time. After making a few lifestyle adjustments new mothers start to feel confident with their baby, see progressive changes in their physique, and fall into a more regular sleeping pattern.

A woman’s ability to adapt during the post natal stage will depend upon the unique circumstance of mother and child. Although most women have few complications after a pregnancy, others can develop some potentially serious conditions. One such condition is post partum depression, which creates feelings of depression and anxiety in new mothers.

Post partum depression is often misunderstood by the general public who use the term to describe any feeling of unhappiness experienced by a new mother. In fact, post partum depression is relatively rare, occurring in less than 10% of new mothers. The general feelings of weepiness and mood swings that many women experience are actually referred to as the ‘baby blues". This state of insecurity and sadness is common and often corrects itself within 2-3 weeks.

Post natal women can benefit from regular exercise to not only lose the excess weight, but also to elevate their moods and energy levels. It is commonly advised that women wait until after their six-week postnatal checkup to begin an exercise routine. This is to ensure that the woman’s abdominal muscles and any incisions from the birth have adequate time to heal. It also gives the woman’s joints and ligaments, which soften during pregnancy, time to return to their more durable state.

Further delaying exercise is the presence of surgical wounds in women who have had caesarean deliveries or other pregnancy related surgeries. These women should not undergo excessive exercise until their incisions have healed and their medical practitioner has given them the green light.

In addition to assisting them to regain an active lifestyle, massage therapy can help ease women from pregnancy to motherhood by offering both physical and emotional benefits. Physically, massage therapy can help to recondition muscles and connective tissues. It is also useful in eliminating excess fluid retention and improving skin’s elasticity in overstretched areas.

Emotionally, massage therapy is an excellent source of stress relief for new moms. A massage session can be a great way to unwind and spend some time away from the needs of the baby. Massage therapy provides the woman with relaxation while relieving aching muscles in the shoulders and neck.

Post-Natal Massage

To book an appointment with an RMT please click here.