Pregnancy is a joyous time although many women experience back pain and other aches as a result of carrying extra weight in their mid section. This type of pain may never have been experienced before. Often times, something as simple as a massage can make a huge difference, but not every woman can utilize the services of a massage therapist.

Sometimes this has to do with the cost associated with massage therapy and with a baby on the way money is usually a little tight. If as a result of pregnancy you are experiencing pain and discomfort that thought of buying massage therapy equipment may have crossed your mind, however this is not recommended depending on the type of equipment you are considering for your purchase.

Amongst those massage therapy devices that should not be used is anything with an implanted electrode. These can offer a bit of a shock and can be potentially harmful to a baby. Magnets should not be used either. Also, anything that requires the back to arch is something that a pregnant woman should not use. With all of this said, it may seem like she can’t do anything because it is also suggested that she stay away from anything with heavy vibrations.

Small handheld massagers can be used around the neck and in the upper back area but it should not be used in the lower back or in the stomach area. All of these devices should be kept away from the baby. Other devices that are safe are foot massagers that use heat and vibration. Pregnancy can be tough on an expectant mothers feet, so these can be really great, but these devices are pretty much all mommy can use. Even those wrap around neck pillows that massage are not out of the question.

There is, however, a piece of massage equipment that pregnant women should consider and that is a prenatal massage table. These tables are specifically designed for expectant mothers. What it does is relieve aches in the back and improves circulation by reducing stress. Mothers to be find it difficult to lie down flat due to tenderness of the breasts and a growing belly, so the prenatal massage table has what resemble cutouts that can be taken out of the table for her belly and her breasts to go through. By simply placing the plugs back into the table, the table becomes perfectly flat so she can lay on her side or on her back if she has to.

With such a table, prenatal massage techniques can be used to make the expectant mother feel better. There are such techniques as the labor massage in which the mother will lie on her side and is in a reclined position. This is when a pregnancy pillow can really come in handy. There are also post-pregnancy massages in which this special technique can rebalance the mother’s body, which can also improve the elasticity of the skin.

So if the expectant mother gets the urge to buy massage equipment, a prenatal massage table as well as small hand held massagers would be her best bet as long as they will not administer any electric shock, contain magnets, or cause any trauma to the baby. Mother’s to be deserve to feel comfortable and pain free!

Tags: Massage, physical therapy equipment, physical therapy massage, pregnancy