Postnatal Massage Therapy - Benefits of Post-Natal Massage For the New Mother

This article focuses on postnatal massage therapy and how it can be of enormous benefit to the new mother.  We will look at the top benefits, some traditional methods to administer post-natal massage, and also some precautions to consider.

Some pregnant mothers experience an easy birth while others go through a prolonged and difficult process with many hours of labour. One thing is absolutely for certain, after the delivery process, new mothers are tired or even exhausted.  And then having to breastfeed and nurse a newborn several times per night can add to the exhaustion.

The new mother today does not have much time to relax and rest during her postnatal 'confinement' period at home. Many mothers also need to return to work quickly which for some means facing additional pressure to lose weight in order to fit back into their work attire and feel more comfortable reintegrating into social situations.

Post-natal massage therapy may be an effective solution for at least some of the new mothers needs. Here are the top 6 benefits of postnatal massage therapy for mothers:

1. Relaxation

2. Stress Relief

3. Relieves aches in neck and shoulders

4. Reduction of fluid retention.

5. Help uterus to return to original size

6. Reduction of cellulite and helps to tone up the body.

Postnatal massage also provides an important sense of continuing comfort for the new mother. The aim of this massage is to give nurturing and emotional support as well as alleviate the muscle aches from the strain of labour and childbirth. Some post-natal massage therapies may also be done in conjunction with a detoxification program that assists the abdominal area to reduce post birth 'bagginess'.

In many parts of Asia, it is common for women prior to delivery to actually pre-book sessions with a massage therapist for a series of post-natal massages. 

In Indonesia, postnatal massage is a traditional treatment which has been handed down from generation to generation and is still widely practiced today. This treatment involves the use of massage oil applied to the stomach and a stomach wrap called a 'bengkung' made up of a cotton cloth several metres long. The bengkung is used to wrap the body in order to push up the uterus, clear water retention, relieve wind and spasms, shrink the stomach and help to reduce weight. Post-natal massage is usually done within the privacy of one's home.

For a mother who has delivered her baby naturally, it is generally considered safe to go proceed with postnatal massage. For those that delivered by caesarean, be sure to consult with your doctor or professional massage therapist first. Most often it is recommended to wait a few weeks before proceeding with post-natal massage therapy after caesarean birth.

Postnatal massage therapy is widely practiced and has numerous benefits for the new mother.  If interested a mother should consult her doctor or locate a professional massage therapist who specializes in post-natal massage therapy.  The benefits are certainly worth the effort.