Benefits Of Prenatal Massage

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health. Massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish Massage.

Swedish Massage aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish Massage is the recommended massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts.

Hormone regulation

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered when massage therapy is introduced to women’s prenatal care. This leads to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health.

In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (hormones associated with stress) were reduced, and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression).

These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence strongly suggests there are maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.

Reduction of swelling

Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints. This also improves the removal of tissue waste carried by the body’s lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves.

Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced a significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through massage.

Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:

• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced edema
• Reduced muscle tension and headaches
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
• Better sleep

Precautions For Prenatal Massage?

As with any therapeutic approach to pregnancy wellness, women should discuss massage with their prenatal care provider. The best way to address the risks of prenatal massage is to be informed and to work together with knowledgeable professionals.

Body position during prenatal massage

Many professionals consider the best position for a pregnant woman during massage is side-lying. Tables that provide a hole in which the uterus can fit may not be reliable and can still apply pressure to the abdomen, or allow the abdomen to dangle, causing uncomfortable stretching of the uterine ligaments. Consult your massage therapist before your first appointment to verify what position they place their clients in during the massage.

Seek an appropriate massage therapist

It is important to seek care from a certified prenatal massage therapist.  Certified therapists have received training beyond the national standards for massage therapists and know how to address specific pregnancy and massage needs.

They are aware of how to position you safely and prevent strain to the uterine ligaments. They are also able to watch for symptoms of blood clots and varicose veins.

Women who have recently experienced bleeding, pre-term contractions, or have any of the following conditions should speak with a health care provider prior to receiving a massage:

• High risk pregnancy
• Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
• Preeclampsia
• Previous pre-term labor
• Experiencing severe swelling, high blood pressure, or sudden, severe headaches
• Recently gave birth

Is Prenatal Massage Safe Throughout The Entire Pregnancy?

Women can begin massage therapy at any point in their pregnancy – during the first, second, or third trimester. Many facilities will refuse to offer massage to a woman who is still in her first trimester because of the increased risk for miscarriage associated with the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

Prenatal Massage As Part Of Prenatal Care

The benefits of massage can improve overall prenatal health for many pregnant women. Along with the guidance and advice of a prenatal care provider, massage therapy can be incorporated into routine prenatal care as an emotional and physical health supplement shown to improve pregnancy outcome and maternal health. Consult with your midwife or obstetrician before beginning any new therapeutic practice.

TIMEOUT MASSAGE MAKATI 
(Sports & Medical Massage)
1748 Dian St. Palanan, Makati
0906 502 8818
Click on the link for directions:
https://g.co/kgs/vbfhQV

Probiotics to strengthen your immune sysytem

Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called "good" or "helpful" bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.

You can find probiotics in supplements and some foods, like yogurt. Doctors often suggest them to help with digestive problems.

Lactobacillus gasseri

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Lactobacillus gasseri
Scientific classification
Domain:	Bacteria
Phylum:	Firmicutes
Class:	Bacilli
Family:	Lactobacillaceae
Genus:	Lactobacillus
Species:	L. gasseri
Binomial name
Lactobacillus gasseri Lauer and Kandler 1980

Lactobacillus gasseri is a species in the genus Lactobacillus. It is part of the vaginal flora.^[1] Its genome has been sequenced.^[2] L. gasseri is a normal inhabitant of the lower reproductive tract in healthy women.^[3] It also produces Lactocillin.

Uses

Proponents suggest that Lactobacillus gasseria can help to reduce belly fat, inhibit fat production, speed up metabolism, and protect against obesity.

In addition, Lactobacillus gasseri is said to help with the following health problems:

• allergies
• asthma
• constipation
• diarrhea
• helicobacter pylori infection
• high cholesterol
• menstrual pain

Benefits

Here's a look at several study findings on the potential health benefits of Lactobacillus gasseri:

Weight Loss

A number of clinical trials and animal-based studies suggest that Lactobacillus gasseri may help reduce abdominal fat and support weight loss.

These studies include a clinical trial published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2013, which included 210 healthy adults with excess abdominal fat. For the study, participants were given either milk enriched with Lactobacillus gasseri strain SBT2055 or a placebo milk for 12 weeks. At the study's end, those given the Lactobacillus gasseri-enriched milk showed a significantly greater reduction in abdominal fat compared to those given the placebo.

Other recent clinical trials focusing on Lactobacillus gasseri and weight loss include a 2013 study from the Korean Journal of Family Medicine. The study involved 62 adults with a high body mass index, each of whom was assigned to 12 weeks of treatment with Lactobacillus gasseri BNR17 or a placebo. At the study's end, there were no significant differences in the groups, however, those taking the supplement did have a slight reduction in body weight and waist and hip circumference.

Menstrual Pain

Lactobacillus gasseri may help lessen menstrual pain in women with endometriosis, suggests a small study published in the journal Cytotechnology in 2011.

The study involved 66 patients with endometriosis. Compared to those given a placebo for 12 weeks, those treated with the Lactobacillus gasseri strain OLL2809 for the same time period experienced significantly greater relief of menstrual pain.

Helicobacter Pylori Infection

For a report published in the PLoS One in 2014, scientists sized up thirty-three previously published clinical trials (with a total of 4459 participants) examining the effects of probiotic supplementation on the eradication of Helicobacter pylori (H pylori), a type of bacteria that can cause infections in the stomach.

In their review, the report's authors found that the eradication rate was higher in those taking the probiotics supplements (specific strains included Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei DN-114001, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacterium infantis 2036). While probiotic supplementation shouldn't replace conventional treatment, the authors note that it should be explored as an option for increasing eradication rates, "particularly when antibiotic therapies are relatively ineffective".

Possible Side Effects

In some cases, use of Lactobacillus gasseri and other probiotics may trigger such side effects as gas and bloating. In addition, there's some concern that taking probiotics in combination with immunosuppressive drugs may be extremely harmful to your health.

Also keep in mind that the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. Be sure to study up on the safe use of supplements, and if you're considering the use of lactobacillus gasseri, talk with your primary care provider first. Self-treating a condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences.

Where to Find It

Found naturally in breast milk, Lactobacillus gasseri is also found in certain fermented foods such as Puba or carimã, a Brazilian staple food. It can be purchased in dietary supplement form in many natural-foods stores.

You can increase your intake of a variety of probiotics by consuming fermented foods, such as yogurt, kefir, miso, kimchi, and sauerkraut.