How to Use Handheld Massagers during Pregnancy (Guest Post)

by Carla Ferdinand, Contributing Writer

Images by Vivian Farinazzo, phalinn, and Enrique Freire via Flickr.com

When you are pregnant it is very important to stay relaxed and to feel as healthy as possible for the sake of the unborn child.  This is not always possible as your body is going through so many changes and the weight gain alone can bring on many different aches and pains that you never had before.  The legs and back tend to take the brunt of the pain so these areas need to be tended to regularly during pregnancy.  One way that can help you get through these pains is by using a handheld massager to relieve the aches and pains.  Below are some ways that you can use a handheld massager during pregnancy.

When to Use a Massager

It is very important that you speak to your physician before starting any new health routine when you are pregnant.  This is a step that you cannot skip and he will also tell you that you should never be massaged during your first trimester.  You should never have a deep tissue massage at any time because it puts too much pressure on your body and can cause labor.  Also, do not use your massager after the thirty sixth month of pregnancy, again, it can and does induce labor.  So for those periods in between, you can certain use your handheld massager to relax and to keep your body feeling comfortable. 

How to Use a Massager

First you want to sit down in a chair with the massager or you can lie down on your side, never on your stomach as this puts too much pressure on the baby.  Either you or your spouse or friend can use the massager on the area of your body that feels the most pressure, the legs or back.  You can use the massager for a maximum of twenty minutes and you can also use it two times a day but no more than that.  If you do, you can actually create more pain to your affected areas and this does not do your body or your baby any good in the long run.

Finding a Handheld Massager

There are many great handheld massagers on the market, click here to see some, which can offer you the relaxation and relief you need during pregnancy.  Some things to look out for are those that offer many different modes so you can adjust the percussion to fit your needs.  You also want one that offers different accessories for different parts of the body.  You may only need to massage your feet so you don’t need a huge massage head so this is another thing to consider.  Once you have considered these aspects, simply purchase the one that fits your needs.

If you want to have massages while you are pregnant, you need to make sure that you are only using a handheld massager during the safe times of your pregnancy.  Using one at any other time can cause complications in the pregnancy and can even induce labor.