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Many pregnant women are worried about receiving such care as it is such an invasive procedure. However, this does not have to be the case. The origin of prenatal massage can be traced back to Chinese medicine. This sort of bodywork offers its professionals the exceptional opportunity to treat pregnant women with ease and comfort. The benefits offered are not limited to the woman's health, but also extend to the health of her baby.  
  
Chinese medicine maintains that pregnancy causes great strain and anxiety to a woman. In order to help alleviate this stress and anxiety, Chinese medicine recommends the relaxation of different areas of the body. One of those parts is the gut and it is from this place that Prenatal massage has its origins. In traditional Chinese medicine, Prenatal massage strives to alleviate the stomach of the strain associated with pregnancy and to encourage the heart to pump more blood and to relax more. This promotes a healthy pregnancy and helps to reduce the quantity of hemorrhage and cramping that some women suffer after delivery.  
  
Chinese medicine also suggests that a pregnant woman relaxes her whole body during pregnancy, such as her face, hands, feet, back and even her buttocks. This can be accomplished by applying gentle pressure with a series of stretches and movements. The ultimate goal of this kind of prenatal massage is to create a positive feeling and expectation for new motherhood. If a woman is expecting a boy, offering her a five-minute break from her nine-month pregnancy can help her relax during labour. It will not only offer her the relief she needs, but it will also allow her to enjoy the experience of labor itself.  
  
A good way to get the most out of your prenatal massage therapy is to incorporate it into your regular pregnancy routine. Schedule a massage therapist to visit your house at least a few times throughout the duration of your pregnancy. It is best to plan for your massage sessions two or three weeks ahead of time. Call the studio or hotel in which you intend to have your massage session and ask if they offer booking options or in the event that you can call and make your reservation over the phone. Many salons offer this service, so don't be afraid to inquire.  
  
Prenatal massage therapists perform their sessions as quickly as possible, usually within 15 minutes. Your body isn't ready for such heavy stimulation yet, so expect it to take time for the massage therapist to get to each of the regions of your body that have to be massaged. If you are having your first baby, ask the massage therapist to begin at the first stages of your pregnancy: right after your prenatal checkup. Blood clots are one of the most frequent complications that mothers experience during their pregnancy. By giving your body the well-needed care before it's time, the massage therapist will be better able to detect and remove possible blood clots.  
  
Along with helping to relieve tension and promote a comfortable cervix, prenatal massage may also help reduce anxiety and improve circulation throughout the body. Many women realize that getting a normal massage at home relieves physical pain and discomfort and improves their ability to sleep. If you feel that you may be suffering from frequent headaches or feel like you are always bending or lifting, it can be a fantastic idea to schedule an appointment with a massage therapist to discuss how massage can help you. Many doctors recommend prenatal massage as a means to help reduce fatigue, increase circulation, lower stress and improve the strength and flexibility of your muscles. The added benefit of massage helps to reduce your chances of developing osteoporosis.  
  
Don't be surprised if your massage provider requests the service of another professional such as a physical therapist or an obstetrician-oncologist when he or she begins to treat you. As your pregnancy progresses, your practitioner will probably be making regular visits to hospitals, delivering babies and referring pregnant mothers to other healthcare professionals. If a client is having trouble breathing or something else that seems from normal, your provider may refer you for such services. Your normal massage provider will probably be offering a range of different services, including massage to help with postpartum depression and fatigue, and to relieve the distress associated with labor and delivery. The origin of the massage might even point toward other processes, including acupuncture and Chinese medicine, which may further alleviate your condition.