What’s it good for?
The many benefits of massage in pregnancy include relief from muscle tension, back pain, and headaches; reduced stress and anxiety; increased lymph flow and drainage; and it may improve sleep. Massage techniques can also be applied during labour.
Is it safe?
There are many massage therapists trained specifically in massage for pregnancy so it’s best to find someone who has this as their area of expertise to ensure the safety of you and your baby.
How do I find a massage therapist?
Australian Traditional-Medicine Society or Australian Association of Massage Therapies
What’s it good for?
Chiropractors assess spinal health which may contribute to a number of structural and functional complaints. They address health issues by adjusting joints to help them regain movement and proper function. The most common reason pregnant women see a chiropractor is to alleviate back pain, but chiropractors may also help to ensure your hips and pelvis are properly aligned for a natural labour.
Is it safe?
There are chiropractic techniques specific for pregnant women and gentle low force techniques should always be used. Chiropractic is particularly beneficial late in pregnancy to balance the pelvis and sacrum in preparation for labour.
How do I find a chiropractor?
Chiropractors’ Association of Australia
What’s it good for?
Acupuncture uses fine needles placed in certain points on the body to create balance and harmony between the energies that flow throughout the body. This therapy is over 5000 years old and considerable amounts of research have been done on acupuncture’s benefits. In pregnancy it may help to combat morning sickness and headaches.
Is it safe?
There are certain points on the body that should not be stimulated during pregnancy so it is important to find a practitioner experienced in pregnancy. Some schools of thought prefer to wait until the second trimester, however one particular study found no adverse effects of acupuncture in early pregnancy.
How do I find an acupuncturist?
Australian Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine Association or Acupuncture Association of Australia
What’s it good for?
Similarly to chiropractic, osteopathy addresses structural issues that may be causing pain and reduced function of certain organ systems. Mothers-to-be often see an osteopath to address back pain and to help prepare the body for birth.
Is it safe?
Osteopathy is considered safe throughout pregnancy. Let your osteopath know that you are pregnant so they can adjust the treatment accordingly.
How do I find an osteopath?
Australian Osteopathic Association
What’s it good for?
Homoeopathy may increase wellbeing, treat morning sickness and address postpartum bruising. A homoeopath will prescribe one or several remedies based on the individual presentation of the illness.
Is it safe?
Clinical experience of thousands of homoeopaths over 200 years suggests that homoeopathy is safe during any stage of pregnancy and during labour.
How do I find a homoeopath?
Australian Homoeopathic Association
What’s it good for?
Some herbs such as ginger for morning sickness and raspberry leaf to prepare for labour have been shown to be effective in pregnancy.
Is it safe?
There are many herbal medicines contraindicated in pregnancy so seeing a fully qualified and experienced herbalist is important so as not to cause harm to you or your baby.
How do I find a herbalist?
National Herbalists Association of Australia
What’s it good for?
Essential oils have been traditionally used to help with nausea, stress, anxiety, insomnia, muscle aches and pains and fatigue.
Is it safe?
Many essential oils are contraindicated in pregnancy so seeing a fully qualified aromatherapist for safe use is critical.
How do I find an aromatherapist?
International Aromatherapy & Aromatic Medicine Association
If you want to know more about the above therapies, contacting a therapist directly is a good idea to have all your questions answered. The websites listed above also contain excellent information on each therapy.
Other websites you may also like to visit for practitioner information:
References available on request
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