Foot Massage When Pregnant – A Guide from NHS Experts
====================================================
As a pregnant woman, you’re likely to experience various bodily changes during this period. One such change is the sensation of discomfort in your feet. This could be due to the increased weight and fluid retention associated with pregnancy.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into the world of foot massage when pregnant, focusing on the benefits it can offer, how to do it safely, and some practical tips for incorporating it into your daily routine.
Benefits of Foot Massage During Pregnancy
1. Reduced Swelling
Water retention is a common symptom during pregnancy. Foot massage has been shown to help reduce swelling in the feet by promoting blood circulation.
Prolonged sitting or standing can cause your veins to back up, resulting in water accumulation. Gentle massage stimulates blood vessels, helping the fluid return to normal places.
2. Lower Back Pain Relief
During the second and third trimesters, increased weight gain puts pressure on your lower spine, causing strain on muscles and joints surrounding it. A foot massage is helpful in loosening these strained parts by stimulating relaxation through touch.
Rubbing out tension helps restore balance, relieving associated back pain.
3. Boosted Mood
Pigmented areas known as varicose veins can disrupt the distribution of blood around feet during pregnancy due to hormonal and venous system changes. This may contribute towards stress feeling or anxiety experienced among expectant mothers.
Regularly practicing massage relaxes and rejuvenates your nerves, promoting positive emotions associated with physical touch.
Safety Considerations
1. Consult Your Healthcare Provider
Before incorporating foot massage into your daily routine, check with your healthcare provider about the compatibility with any existing health conditions you might have during pregnancy.
Some issues could influence sensitivity to certain areas around feet or make them extremely sensitive due various reasons such as nerve damage.
While performing foot rub ensure that it’s gentle enough not causing discomfort while still targeting all required parts involved.
To confirm, if unsure consult your physician regarding their specific suggestions tailored towards individual cases and the guidance received from healthcare experts within NHS.
