Looking for a good Prenatal Massage in Manchester NH? I’ve got the best 3 places for you to go!
Pregnancy is one of the most incredible journeys that a body can undergo…but it isn’t always easy on Mama. There is the first trimester morning sickness, swollen ankles, heartburn, back pain…it’s not glamorous. During my two pregnancies, I dealt with bad sciatic pain which led me to searching for a monthly massage to help alleviate the inflammation. I quickly learned that not every massage spot is created equal so I had to do my research to find the best ones.
Hopefully this list of spots to get a prenatal massage will help some of you mamas who are looking for pain relief or relaxation to make your pregnancy more enjoyable!
Table of Contents
What is a Prenatal Massage?
Prenatal massages are meant for pregnant mothers and are slightly adapted by the massage therapist to make sure mom and baby are safe and comfortable. If you regularly get massages, you might be used to lying face down on the table while the masseuse worked on your back. Because of your pregnant belly, this position would be unsafe and uncomfortable for the mother so a lot of the massage takes place on your back or side.
Seeing a trained massage therapist is important so they can use cushions and pillows to make sure you are as relaxed as possible and provide support for your growing body. They will also use a lighter pressure than you may be used to but this is purposeful to provide a more calming atmosphere and aid muscle relaxation.
When Can I Get a Prenatal Massage in Manchester NH?
Although you always want to check with your practitioner, prenatal massages are generally fine for pregnant women after the first trimester. Sometimes massage work can make morning sickness worse so if you are still experiencing that, you may want to hold off. Many women find that their body begins to ache from the added weight of the baby in the late second trimester to third trimester.
The second trimester is a great time to start planning out your prenatal massage calendar to make sure you have that added layer of comfort going into your final trimester.
Benefits of Getting a Prenatal Massage
Prenatal massage has many benefits during pregnancy and is encouraged by many OBGYN/midwives/birthing professionals. The benefits are both physical and for the mother’s mental health. To name a few of these benefits–hormone regulation, improved cardiovascular health, healing of nerve pain, decrease in swelling, and a decrease of symptoms in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.
What to Wear
When thinking about what to wear to your prenatal massage, think comfy! Your licensed massage therapist will likely have you undress to your comfort level so don’t wear anything that would be too complicated to take on and off. Some of my favorite comfy pregnancy clothes come from Pact Organic, Oat and Co, and Madewell. Your best bet is to wear something that you’d be comfortable sleeping in like a good pair of leggings and an oversized t-shirt. These are the best pregnancy leggings ever.
Questions to ask Before Booking
Like everything during your pregnancy, you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the provider you choose for your prenatal massage. Before you book at a place, make sure to ask these questions:
- How much pregnancy massage training do you have?
- How many pregnant women have you worked on before?
- Do you have an intake form for me to fill out so you are aware of any conditions or special accommodations?
Your goal in this is to make sure your massage therapist is trained to work with pregnant women. The standard is a couple of hours of training in massage school but in order to have a good prenatal massage, you want someone who knows exactly what they are doing. The last thing you want is to book yourself some needed self-care to get there and have the therapist look nervous because of your “condition”.
Best Prenatal Massage in Manchester NH
Here are the 3 places for a prenatal massage in Manchester NH that I have gone to and trust over the last few years. I am not an expert in massage therapy but I do know what it feels like to be pregnant and want a good relaxing massage.
- Fleuresh
This spot is located on the North End of Manchester that has an earthy calming vibe. They offer a massage called “Prenatal Rest & Renewal” which is either 60 or 90 minutes long and provides a restorative treatment that can help improve sleep, reduce stress and soothe your muscles.
They also offer an awesome hydrating back scrub that you can add onto your massage to leave your skin feeling extra smooth!
2. The Wellness Village
Nestled right in a cozy spot off of Mast Rd in Manchester, the Wellness Village provides a lot of services for prenatal moms including massage! One of their co-founders, Morgan, provides a calming and supportive environment while she melts away your stress. Morgan is lovely and helped my sciatica pain during pregnancy quite a bit!
This location also offers Reiki with Nancy (one of the owners) and I go frequently. I highly recommend it during pregnancy to ease some of the stress on your mind and body. Nancy even helped me right before I went into labor!
3. Crystal Clear Essentials
Ok so this isn’t in Manchester NH, it’s in Bedford NH but it is worth the drive! They have such a wonderful vibe in their rooms and this is my current favorite place to go when I need a little self-care. They have a special setup for mamas-to-be with a cut out for your belly so you can comfortably lay like you normally would pre-pregnancy.
Why you Should get a Prenatal Massage
Even if you aren’t experiencing any sciatic pain like I was (fingers crossed for you!), you deserve to get a prenatal massage. Pregnancy can be an exciting time for a lot of moms but it doesn’t usually come without some aches and pains unfortunately.
Even if you just book yourself one session in your third trimester, it can really help with the soreness that can come from sharing a body with another human. On top of all that, you deserve it Mama! You are doing hard work growing a child, you deserve to pamper yourself!
I hope you enjoyed this blog post on 3 Best Places to go for a Prenatal Massage in Manchester NH. Maybe this will help encourage some local moms to go and book themselves a Manchester NH prenatal massage at least once during the course of their pregnancy.
If you are reading this and you are not pregnant, maybe there is someone special in your life who deserves a gift certificate for a prenatal massage! From personal experience, let me tell you that is a gift that will truly be appreciated. If you have a baby shower coming up, consider this as a gift instead of another lovey or blanket. I always say…take care of mama so she can take care of baby.
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