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Can I use a Massage Chair during my Pregnancy? – [A Guide for Pregnant Women]

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Safety Tips for using Massage Chairs
Top 5 Massage Chair Benefits for Pregnant Women
When to avoid using a Massage Chair
Still worried? - Don't be

When you are 7 months pregnant, and you can feel every muscle, joint, and ligament in your body working, the mentioning of a massage sounds like pure bliss. But, you still have one question, is it safe? Having your body go through so many changes in 9 months can have a significant impact on how your body reacts to different stimuli. With physical and hormonal changes occurring, it is entirely natural to wonder if a massage chair is safe to use.  Although everybody responds differently to the touch of rollers and airbags, massage chairs are perfectly safe to use during pregnancy.

pregnancy-photoshoot

Even though massage chairs are safe to use, we do not recommend that you use one without consulting your medical professional. In fact, it wouldn’t be uncommon for your ob-gyn to tell you to hold off on using a massage chair or getting a massage altogether during your first trimester. The main reason being, the first trimester is the most vulnerable stage of pregnancy, your chances of a miscarriage or other medical problem arising are the highest at this point. However, once your medical professional gives you the okay, it is perfectly safe to move forward and reap the therapeutic benefits of a massage.

Safety Tips for using Massage Chairs

  • Time Limits: Anyone who has used a good massage chair will tell you how easy it is to fall asleep with the massage still on. It sounds like paradise, but you should still limit your usage to 10 to 20 minutes at a time. After you are done with your massage, it is best to walk around for a few minutes to regain control of your loosened muscles.
  • Intensity Control - You should always use a massage chair that has intensity control. You want to be able to change the roller speed and airbag pressure of the program you are using. Pregnant bodies are constantly changing in short periods and having a chair without intensity control will make your massage less pleasurable and safe. As your body becomes increasingly sensitive in one area, you want to be able to reduce and increase the pressure as you please.
  • Too Big - There will come the point where you can't comfortably fit into your chair, and that is okay. What isn't okay is trying to squeeze your 8 1/2 months pregnant belly into a massage chair! If you find that you are having trouble fitting into a chair, do not force it.

Top 5 Massage Chair Benefits for Pregnant Women

  • #1 Reduce Stress and Anxiety - Pregnancy can be stressful, and over time you can get stressed out. A massage chair can help you control your stress through zero gravity reclining, air pressure technology, and relax mode programs. You can also lower anxiety levels by using a massage chair to help reduce mental fatigue.
  • #2 Better Breathing and Sleep - The weight you put on during your pregnancy significantly impacts your comfort, sleeping patterns, and habits. Many women have trouble breathing and suffer from sleepless nights. Massage chairs provide a great alternative to your bed when you can't find the perfect spot. In particular, zero gravity reclining places your body in an optimal position for relaxation and decreases the impact of sitting and standing from your day. 
  • #3 Relieve Lower Back Pain - Your body isn't designed to carry extra weight constantly. For any men reading, imagine wearing a weighted vest every single day for 9 months. It takes a toll on your body and specifically your lower back. The increased weight and pressure create tense muscles and aching, which at times, are unbearable. To help offset and stop this pain, massage chairs use rollers and heat therapy to soften and weaken tight areas. Chairs that provide users with intensity control and body mapping can also help target and work out stubborn knots.
  • #4 Stop Swelling - Swelling is something that you are bound to experience, whether it is your ankles, calves, or feet. The reason this occurs is that your stomach disrupts continuous blood flow to your lower body. This causes your legs to swell up and in some cases puddling (not fun). Using a massage chair to help improve blood circulation and reduce swelling is a huge benefit. Airbags compress your legs, rollers work the bottom of your feet, and your calves relax from inflating and deflating.
  • #5 Releasing Endorphins and Dopamine - As toxins are flushed out of your body, you begin to feel calm and happier. This is a result of massage programs working to massage you, and your body releasing endorphins and dopamine in the process. These chemicals give you that "happy feeling" and make pregnancy a lot easier.  
massage-chair-for-pregnancy-resting

When to avoid using a Massage Chair

  • Reason 1
  • Reason 2
  • Reason 3
  • You’re a high-risk patient for a miscarriage – At this point, you need to be on high alert and conscious about every decision you make. Unless your health care provider says otherwise, we do not recommend using a massage chair

    • Still worried? - Don't be

    We usually get 1-2 emails from expecting mothers talking about the potential harm of massages. When it comes to getting a massage from a professional, you should do extensive research and make sure your massage therapist is qualified, knows the right techniques, and has experience.

    Another topic of fear is the vibrations that run through chairs. Fortunately, research has shown that they are health vibrations and your baby will not feel them. In fact, they actually produce less movement than walking up the stairs or going for a walk.

    The final fear we want to talk about is electromagnetic waves. Currently, no supporting research states that any waves, vibrations, or components of massage chairs lead to pregnancy complications.

    If you are still not comfortable with massages or massage chairs, then it is best to avoid both. Pregnancy should be a wonderful experience and added stress to that experience will not help anyone.

    Final Thoughts

    Pregnancy can be stressful, which is why finding another way to relax your body will make your journey a lot easier. Massage chairs can provide several physical and mental benefits while keeping you and your baby healthy. If you have concerns regarding massage chair operations and benefits, please leave us a question. For any massage related medical questions, we strongly recommend contacting your doctor. We hope you have a safe, happy, and healthy pregnancy!

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