Prenatal Massage creates a lot of therapeutic effects on a would-be mother. The massage is not only helpful for the mother but it is equally beneficial for the baby who is inside the mother's womb. A professional massage therapist can provide a lot of comfort to the pregnant women through the Prenatal Massage therapy. They are equipped with all the knowledge about dealing the mothers as well as what can give them perfect comfort. Pregnancy massage or prenatal massage are generic terms used to describe a variety of conditions and treatments performed to help alleviate the signs and symptoms associated with pregnancy.

Prenatal massage can be applied in different ways. The pregnant patient should lie on her side and the therapist is trained to modify the massage techniques to adapt to this position. Lying flat on back is not recommended as it reduces blood circulation to both mother and child. The mother-to-be can lay on her back with the body in an elevated position by using pillows to support the mother's body. Body pillows can also be used for side lying positions as well.

There is a specially designed pillow now available to assist when massaging expecting mothers in a face down position. This pillow has a deep center cut-out which allows the mother to lie flat on her belly and feel comfortable and relaxed.

Prenatal massage has been shown to alleviate stress on weight-bearing joint, reduce muscle aches, decrease the risk for stretchmarks, increase circulation, improve digestion and reduce fatigue. In addition, it just plain feels nice. Prenatal massage is tailored to the needs of pregnant women. Because a woman's center of gravity changes the further along she is in her pregnancy, additional stress is put on her shoulders, neck, back and hips. She's also carrying additional weight in the front of her body. A trained prenatal massage therapist knows how to treat the aches and pains caused by these changes.

Studies have shown that because massage reduces stress, it helps to regulate hormone levels. Hormones like cortisol (the stress hormone) tend to be lower in those who receive regular massages. Well-maintained hormone levels means less risk for a complicated birth and decreased risk for low birth weight. But in the Swedish massage, commonly referred to as the relaxation massage, is probably the most recognizable massage modality available. The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles.

There are various other symptoms of pregnancy that can also be alleviated by massage. Edema is the swelling of the joints during pregnancy. This edema is usually caused by reduced circulation due the increased pressure from the expanding uterus on the major blood vessels. Prenatal Massage can stimulate the soft tissues to help reduce the collection of fluid in the joints as well as induce more circulation in the area to assist in removal of waste products through the lymph system. The late stages of pregnancy can induce sciatic pain due to the uterus resting on the pelvic floor and lower back. This pressure tends to lead to discomfort in the upper and lower legs causing swelling which puts pressure on the nerves.