Can I Sit in Massage Chair While Pregnant? [Latest Study]

This may be a frequently asked question by pregnant women who are not willing to give up massage. Massage during pregnancy is very helpful in providing needed relief from back, neck, and muscle pain often associated with the added weight of the baby belly. It can help relieve stress and anxiety caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy as well as physical discomfort.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the massage has to be customized and suitable for pregnant women.

This article will give some insight into using a massage chair while pregnant and help you decide whether it’s safe or beneficial. We also give some tips on choosing a safe and comfortable model of an electric chair which can be your reliable assistant during your pregnancy.

What is Massage?

Massage is a technique that involves applying pressure, tension, and motion to muscles for the purpose of reducing stress and muscle pain. It also increases circulation, eases tension in muscles, improves the range of motion in joints, improves lymphatic flow which removes wastes from cells, stimulates endorphin production, and improves overall health.

Massage is helpful as it helps to eliminate toxins from the body as well as improve blood flow around muscle tissues, which aids them in healing and prevents muscle soreness. It can also assist with relieving stress that may be causing pain or discomfort.

There are many types of massage therapy that you can choose from. Each type is focused on a particular problem and can be applied using different techniques.

A massage chair is a special piece of equipment that allows receiving all benefits of massage from the comfort of your own home, at any time you wish. It’s an ideal option if you cannot afford to travel for hours to a spa or don’t have enough time to visit one every day.

It is also a great option if you can’t find a massage therapist near your home and need an immediate solution, or simply prefer to get rid of stress and muscle aches by yourself without the help of others.

Massage chairs are designed for both men and women that suffer from back, neck, or muscle pain. They usually come with a variety of features and allow achieving the best massage results.

How Massage Chairs Help You?

Massage can be a great relief from stress, anxiety, and muscle pain caused by pregnancy. It helps manage the added weight on your back, thus relieving tension in muscles as well as reducing stiffness.

In fact, many pregnant women report experiencing a huge relief from using the massage chair, some of them even claim they cannot imagine going through pregnancy without it.

What to Expect When Using a Massage Chair?

It is important to remember that a chair massage is not a substitute for prenatal or postnatal care and should only be used under the supervision of your doctor.

As you know, your body is constantly changing during pregnancy. You can expect some discomfort from the massage if you have never been massaged before as the pressure applied will not match your current muscle tension.

The most important aspect of using a chair is to make sure it provides sufficient support for your belly and doesn’t press against any internal organs that may be sensitive.

You need to look for contour pillows with memory function, allowing them to mold around your body in order to provide better support. It is also essential that the chair has adjustable massage intensity in order to avoid discomfort during pregnancy.

What Do Pregnancy Massage Chairs Offer?

Pregnancy massage chairs offer a variety of features designed to provide maximum comfort.

Some of them include:

  • Contour body pillows with memory function.
  • Vibration and heat therapy.
  • The adjustable penetration depth of the rollers.
  • Auto programs are designed to maximize comfort and ease while maintaining a high standard of massage technique.

Many models can be used for prenatal massage as well as postnatal recovery, some even have reclinable seats for additional comfort during sleep or simply relaxing.

Pregnancy massage chairs are generally equipped with the following programs:

  • Reflexology mode.
  • Swedish mode.
  • Thermal therapy mode (heating and vibration).
  • Energizing program (a combination of massage techniques designed to feel like a full-body workout).
  • Soothing program (helps relax the body, relieves stress and discomfort)

As you can see, there is a wide variety of programs available, each with its own benefits. Make sure to consider the intensity and duration of the massage as well as your needs when selecting a model.

The best way to find out what works for you is to read reviews from parents who have experience using pregnancy massage chairs.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Massage Chair?

Pregnancy massage chairs offer the following benefits:

  • Relieve muscle aches and stiffness.
  • Reduce anxiety and stress.
  • Prevent back pain caused by the added weight on the spine.
  • Improve blood circulation, thus relieving leg cramps and swelling of legs and ankles.
  • Promote sleep, which is one of the most important factors during pregnancy.
  • Improve the quality of skin and nails due to increased blood flow.
  • Reduce discomfort caused by hemorrhoids.
  • Promote faster recovery after delivery (helps get rid of the extra water retained in the body, thus reducing swelling and bloating).
  • Help with breastfeeding (the pressure applied can help stimulate milk production if nursing has been initiated).
  • Promote uterine healing.

It is important to note that you shouldn’t expect immediate results as it will take some time before the benefits of such treatments are noticeable, especially after delivery. However, if done regularly throughout pregnancy and post-delivery recovery, you can use massage therapy as a safe and effective method to promote a healthy pregnancy.

There are no reported harmful side effects for either mother or baby when using a massage chair during pregnancy, so it is perfectly safe to give your body the extra care and attention it deserves.

What Are The Best Massage Chairs For Pregnant Women? 

According to reviews from women who have used pregnancy massage chairs, the following brands are great choices:

Benefits of Using a Pregnancy Support Pillow During Massage

If you are used to massages, then pregnancy won’t stop you from enjoying your once-a-week or once-a-month treat. However, if you are new to pregnancy massage, then there are several benefits of using a support pillow while being massaged on the back, feet, and legs.

If the masseuse is not very experienced in prenatal massage techniques or simply can’t come to your house for private sessions, it would be best to go with a pregnancy support pillow.

A support pillow will help you maintain the proper position during the massage, so your muscles will relax and you won’t be in pain when reaching certain areas. It also helps ensure that pressure is applied to all relevant points on the back for maximum relief.

The only downside is it requires some additional free space during the massage, so don’t plan to use it if you are in a small room.

Many women choose pregnancy support pillows that can function both as a pregnancy pillow and a nursing pillow, which is another added bonus.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that massage during pregnancy can go a long way in helping you relax and relieve the discomfort caused by the added weight, muscle aches, cramps, stress, and anxiety.

However, finding a reliable and reputable masseuse or buying your own pregnancy massage chair might not be possible in some cases. That’s why it’s best to go with a pregnancy support pillow.

Support pillows are inexpensive and available in any department store, making them an ideal choice for those who can’t afford to buy a high-end massage chair or prefer not to use the services of professional masseuses due to privacy issues.