[Deb]

Moms to be: You are sore, tired and swollen, what could be more relaxing then a massage?

Besides the relaxing psychological nature of a massage, your whole body will benefit. Massage can help alleviate common discomforts of pregnancy such as backaches, carpal-tunnel syndrome, leg cramps and shakes, headaches, fatigue, hemorrhoids, nasal congestion, sciatica and shortness of breath along with improving circulation and aiding lymphatic flow.

Massage is also VERY useful during labor, too!

New Mammas: Countless diaper changes and hours of feeding your baby can reek havoc on your body.

A postpartum massage can help rejuvenate not just your spirit but your body too. Some of the benefits of a postpartum massage are promote blood circulation, eliminate toxins through the lymphatic system, improves muscle tone, improve sleep and remove stress and eases muscle aches and pain.

Doesn't a mom need a little pampering too!?

[hannahthompson]

Massage has several health benefits. Few of them are as below:

1. Muscles - Massage reduces the tension in the muscles and relieves muscular pain. Strenuous exertion result in the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. Massage helps to rid the muscles of this acid and thus imparts a feeling of freshness and vigor.

2. The heart - Systematic massage will reduce the burden on the heart, and thus increase its efficiency.

3. Nerves - Slow and gentle massage with light pressure relieve tension of the nerves and soothe them. Vigorous massage stimulates lax nerves and increase their efficiency.

4. Skin - Massage has beneficial effects on the skin. The pores of the skin are opened up, thus helping of the elimination of toxins from the body through perspiration.

5. Circulation of the blood - The circulation of the blood in the part being massaged is speeded up, so that the part is supplied with more nutrients, and its healing powers are augmented. The accelerated circulation reduces swelling. There is an increase in the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen and to utilize it effectively.

6. The digestive system - Massaging the abdomen stimulates the digestive system, and promotes better elimination of wastes. The resistive powers of the body are strengthened due to the increase in the efficiency of the liver.

7. The urinary system - Massaging activates the urinary system. As a result the process of elimination of toxic substances from the body through the urine is accelerated by the formation of greater quantities of urine.