What Is A Postnatal Massage And How Does It Benefit You?

After giving birth, the pain, tenderness, soreness, and stress do not magically go away. Something has to be done about it. This is where postnatal massages come in.

What is a postnatal massage?

A postnatal massage is a special kind of massage, designed for mothers who have just given birth, to help to readjust or realign the body and its parts into their pre-pregnancy positions. Postnatal massages also help to relieve stress and pain and promote overall wellness for you as a new mother.

At PNSG, our postnatal massage covers more areas than just the body parts mainly affected by water retention. It involves breast massage and womb massage to help resolve issues that you would encounter with these parts following your childbirth.

For your breasts, for instance, you may experience engorgement or other issues like low milk supply. While it seems unlikely, massage can treat both of these! Displacement of the womb is also a common condition of a postpartum mom which happens due to the pushing and pressure exerted on your womb during the labour.

A lot of issues are usually only faced by post-birth moms, hence can only be treated by therapists who know what they are. That is all the more reason to seek a professional and certified postpartum masseuse.

There are many different kinds of postnatal massages a mother can receive and here are some of them:

Types of postnatal massages

Jamu postnatal massage

Jamu postnatal massage originated in Southeast Asia and got its name from “jamu”, which is a herbal concoction used during massage. This concoction consists of all-natural ingredients which have special healing properties that are perfect for mothers who have just given birth. The massage also includes head massages and breast massages used to relieve headaches and improve lactation respectively. The massage also features a Jamu wrap where the mother’s stomach is bound with cloth from the ribs to the hips to tone the abdominal skin and to realign the spine.

Swedish massage

Swedish massages are great for mothers who have just given birth. This type of massage includes long stroking and kneading which tones the muscles and reduces strain. The stimulating strokes which make up this postnatal massage also improve blood circulation and muscle contraction which helps to remove toxins from the body.

TCM postnatal massage

The TCM massage stands for Traditional Chinese Medicine massage. In this post-pregnancy massage, acupoints techniques and herbs are combined to promote blood flow and relieve muscle tension. The massage features a herbal bath, massage, belly banding, and dietary advice. The uterus is also repositioned, along with the spine.

Ayurvedic postnatal massage

This ancient Indian technique combines yoga, dieting, lifestyle choices, and massage therapy. This full body massage involves the wrapping of the belly and helps to keep skin hydrated and stimulates blood circulation which leads to cell regeneration, pain relief, and tension relief.

What are some postnatal massage benefits?

Along with physical benefits such as pain relief, muscle relaxation, joint relief, and the flushing out of toxins, there are several other ways in which postnatal massage benefits you. These include:

It eases pains

Postnatal discomforts may not stop immediately after giving birth, especially if there were minor complications. There are soreness, aches, sharp pains, and so much more that can be very uncomfortable in the days that follow the actual birth.

The most obvious postpartum massage benefits include easing pains. By getting a jamu massage, your body will release the “feel-good hormones” or endorphins that help to relieve pain in the body and make your recovery less uncomfortable.

It helps you to recover faster

You might be wondering ‘how does a massage make me recover faster’? Well, during the massage, key areas of your body are targeted and this will help the involved muscles to relax, thereby increasing blood flow. As a result, lymphatic drainage will increase, speeding up the rate at which waste, toxins, and excess water leave the body. This, in turn, reduces swelling, tenderness and healing time.

Also, when the body has a cut or a wound, blood clots will form to prevent further blood loss. When this happens, the other blood vessels deliver nutrients and oxygen which promotes healing. Getting a postnatal massage after a cesarean will speed up your recovery time because these types of massages increase blood circulation, and the more nutrients and oxygen that are delivered to the wound, the faster it will heal.

It reduces your belly size

After giving birth, your belly may decrease in size, but not to its original size right away. During our massage in Singapore, the belly is massaged with oils, herbs, and hot stones, and then bound with a tight cloth known as a binder or bengkung. This combination not only reduces the size of the belly but also realigns the spine and the pelvis, all the while improving your posture. A few sessions of this, followed by exercise will bring your tummy to its post-baby size or even flatter in no time!

It relaxes your mind

Without question, pregnancy and childbirth are both taxing on the body and have a mental toll as well. After all, pregnancy causes hormone imbalance and an increase in the ‘stress hormone’ cortisol. It is not uncommon for a new mother to experience periods of depression or even anxiety as a result of the pregnancy and new responsibilities. Postnatal massages help new mothers to relax and unwind, reducing cortisol levels and promoting good mental health.

It repairs your womb

Repair is a strong word, particularly because your womb is in no way damaged or broken per se after your childbirth, but the effects of massage can really go to that level of repair.

If you experience uterine prolapse, the condition where your uterus descends lower than its original position, what actually happens is that the muscles holding them up are becoming weakened. Massage can help to stimulate the contraction of your womb, hence getting them back into their pre-pregnancy size and state.

It helps in breastfeeding

Here’s how. As you already know, a lot of breastfeeding difficulties are caused by blocked milk ducts and a poor latch which can result in bigger issues. Breast massage helps by stimulating the circulation and flow of milk, maintaining a good supply all day long. This releases oxytocin which helps the mother to relax, opening up and unclogging her ducts, thereby increasing the flow and production of milk. If you are experiencing engorgement, massaging your breast can tremendously help in relieving the pain.

These are just some ways in which a postnatal massage benefits a new mother.

Take your pick and book one now to indulge in a relaxing session to recuperate from the strain of childbirth.

Postnatal massage carries an abundance of benefits that are not as frequently talked about compared to the slimming benefit. By now, you should be gearing up to get your very own postnatal massage in Singapore. Be sure to do your research and find the best one for you! If you have further enquiries, we at PNSG are more than happy to assist you!