How Massage Gets Rid of Water Retention

Can massage really treat water retention, and if so, how? Read up on this blog to find out how massage may be able to help reduce it!

How Massage Gets Rid of Water RetentionMany mothers who are pregnant find that they experience water retention towards the end of their pregnancy. This condition can last until after you give birth, in a condition known as postpartum water retention. 

The most obvious sign of water retention is swelling in the extremities, especially at the feet, ankles and hands. Other symptoms include aching and pain at the affected parts, stiff joints and sudden weight gain.

One way to test for water retention is to press a spot into the swollen area. If the indentation doesn’t bounce back to its original state immediately and only rises slowly, this could indicate that you have water retention there.

What causes water retention?

foot massage for pregnant

In our bodies, the lymphatic system is in charge of draining excess water from cells. However, for pregnant women, the hormonal changes that happen in the lead-up to birth causes the cells to hold on to the excess fluid rather than allow them to be drained. 

After giving birth however, these hormones will normalize and any fluid retention should eventually abate and the body’s lymphatic system will return to normal. There are several ways water retention can be treated, and one of them is massage.

You May Also Read this : Water Retention During & After Pregnancy

How does massage help reduce water retention?

Massage in general is a great way for mothers to relax and treat discomfort before and after the birth of their baby. A foot massage for pregnant women will help with swelling and water retention by encouraging and improving circulation of the lymphatic system. This in turn helps excess fluid to drain faster and more effectively.There are three types of massages usually used in the treatment of water retention:

Manual lymph drainage – This therapy uses upward facing massage motions on static positions to encourage blood flow from the affected area to the heart. This stimulates better blood flow and improves lymphatic circulation for excess fluid to drain from the area properly. The affected area is placed on an elevated position, and the therapist will gently press on several positions from the ankle to the thigh for a couple of minutes each. 

Effleurage – In effleurage, the therapist uses the flat part of their palms to gently push any excess fluids in the affected areas to important lymphatic glands. These glands are located in several areas on the body, like the groin, armpit and behind the knee. Long gentle strokes are used to push fluid from the affected to these nearest points to stimulate their drainage.

Deep Strokes – Deep strokes are quite similar to effleurage, but as the name suggests, it uses much firmer strokes to push fluid. Deep strokes are usually used on those who have faced water retention swelling for a longer time and the area has become bulkier. Deep strokes create friction between your skin and the therapist’s fingers to have a stronger effect.

Massages when you’re pregnant has many benefits apart from treating water retention. It also helps with discomfort, pain, sleeplessness and more. A massage for slimming down is also available for your post-natal confinement period.


massage for slimming
Postnatal Massage Recovery Postnatal Massage Recovery
whatsapp