We are being given neck and shoulder massages today at work - being 22 weeks can I have this :D or do I have to decline? :(
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We are being given neck and shoulder massages today at work - being 22 weeks can I have this :D or do I have to decline? :(
I don't see why you couldn't provided they don't push any accupressure points, but even then they would have to be pretty good at it for it to cause any probs.
Like Cai said, as long as they don't press any pressure points. just let them know you're pg, and they know what not do to. But being neck and shoulders, you should be relatively safe anyway.
awesome, thanks guys!
massage here I come :)
As a (almost qualified - in 5 weeks) massage therapist i would say no actually. If the person isn't qualified in actual pregnancy massage, it should be avoided. There are induction points in your shoulders which typically a neck and shoulder massage focus around. If they can do like a scalp, face & hand massage instead take that, but otherwise i would say no, and go and get one done by somebody trained in pregnancy massage.
Your choice completely, just saying what my experience is telling me.
Yael - thankyou - i will see if i can just have a head massage then, thankyou!
Yael - so what do you think could happen if you were to get a shoulder/neck massage by someone inexperienced in pregnancy massage? I ask because I sometimes get those massages at the shopping centre (Chinese I think?) and it has never occurred to me to tell them that I was pregnant (I don't look pregnant). What on earth could happen?
ETA : I also have regular pregancy massages and they spend ages massaging my entire shoulder and neck area.
My DF is telling me the same as Yael (he is a massage therapist too)
When they are qualified they should know which points to avoid and how to massage you safely, but you need to be very clear about the fact you are pregnant and ask them that they know how to massage safely.
Jac - there are many points in your body that can act as trigger points for a whole range of prblems, including miscarrige and early labour.
The major places you need to avoid is particularly your feet and ESPECIALLY your ankles. The trigger point on your ankles can cause miscarrige. There are also points in your neck
well, after yael's friendly warning i asked the girl if whe was trained in pregnancy massage and she said no, but its ok you dont have to be because its just our neck and shoulders.
So alarm bells went crazy in me!
I just had a light hand massage instead. And she wouldnt stop talking, just wanted to slap her
Glad you got a massage kitt3n - sorry she wouldn't shut up - that's a sign of a cr@p therapist IMO, i only chat when my client iniates it (and keeps it going).. in fact sometimes i have to tell them to be quiet and relax.
Jac - you can have a neck & shoulder massage done by somebody trained in it whilst pregnant, they will know what to avoid. Ask if they have actually done a course specifically in pregnancy massage (i did it in addition to my regular cert IV in massage)... I would avoid those people in the shopping centres for SOOOO many reasons, mainly because they should do a full medical assement to find out if it is safe to massage you (like being pregnant, have had previous surgeries or conditions)... It may only be massage, but you can do damage to people, and i'm suprised nobody has had major problems and sued the shopping centre people yet.. And how relaxing can it possibly be in the middle of a noisy centre. IMO, go find a massage school, and get an almost fully trained student to give you one (i have to work for 10 weeks in my schools clinic as part of my course). It's only $35 for an hour, and they are almost trained, so it' not like they let the newbies loose on you.
And yes, massage in pregnancy can be linked to miscarriage early on, and early labour later. Places you must avoid are the feet, ankles, calves, lower back, and shoulder.