Can You Use A Massage Gun While Pregnant?
Important Health Considerations: Massage Gun for Pregnant Women -
Safety should be your top priority during pregnancy. It's crucial to regularly check in with your doctor to discuss safety and which activities you can safely engage in.
High-risk pregnancy and placental complications
High blood pressure and preeclampsia
History of deep veinthrombosis (DVT).
Premature contractions
Gestational diabetes
Can you use a massager while pregnant?
When trying out new self-care methods, such as massage guns, it's important to listen to your body. Be gentle and cautious. You should always stop if you feel something is not right.
Pregnant Women Get Massage Benefits
Massage therapy has been a popular treatment for pregnant women since it is very effective in managing any aches and pains that may arise.
Researchers have actually studied the many benefits massage therapy can bring to pregnant women. Massage therapy can relieve muscle pain, headaches, and other symptoms. It may also help reduce anxiety and improve mood by increasing the release of "feel good chemicals", such as dopamine or serotonin (1).
A reduced level of pain and a better mood can lead to better sleep. This may improve the baby's ability to recover from everyday life. It also has many benefits for both mother and child.
Can you use a massager while pregnant? While there are many things to consider (keep reading), massage guns seem to be growing in popularity as a treatment option for pregnant women.
Are Massage Guns Safe During Pregnancy?
Here are the important details. You can use massage guns during pregnancy. But you need to be aware of when and where.
Percussive massage should not be used during the first trimester. Your baby's development is rapid, so it may be more susceptible to miscarriage. Additional stress from massage or using your massage gun could increase your risk (2).
For safe use of your massage guns, you will want to concentrate on your second and three-quarters trimesters. There are fewer concerns about affecting fetal development.
Safety first
The intensity of your massage gun usage is another important aspect. While most things can be safely used in moderation, knowing the limits of how much you should use can make the difference between safe or unsafe treatment. It is important to do your research and to learn the best ways to maximize your safety and effectiveness (see below, "How to use a massager while pregnant").
The effects of your massage gun could be compared to a deep-tissue massage in many ways. The question is: Can you get a deep tissue massage while pregnant? Where can you get this type of massage, if so?
Are massage guns safe for pregnant women?
What to do with a massage gun while pregnant?
Let's start by talking about where you shouldn't use your massage gun.
Abdomen
This one may seem obvious. However, direct pressure over the abdomen can cause serious injury to your baby. This area should not be massaged with a massage gun during pregnancy.
Lower Back
It might seem tempting to treat the pains in your lower spine - it is a common area of discomfort for pregnant women - but you should avoid this area. This will cause vibrations around your baby.
Hips and legs
Although it may seem safe to do a deep tissue massage on the lower extremities, blood clotting risk can still be a concern. Women are more at risk of developing blood clots in their pregnancies due to changes in hormone levels and body compositions. A deep tissue massage can help to dislodge blood clots and allow them to travel to the heart or lungs (3).
Neck and Shoulders
The neck and shoulders can become more tension when you deal with pregnancy-related stress and body changes. A good massage is a great way to relax these areas. Our detailed article on how to use a massage gun for the neck may be of interest.
Arms
Normal activities such as lifting and carrying or reading long lists of emails will cause tension in your arms. Massage can be beneficial for all areas, from your hands to your shoulders. However, avoid any sensitive or bony parts.
Upper Back
Being overweight can lead to poor posture and stress on the upper back, also known as your thoracic spine. This area is very responsive to massage, as tension and pain are often coming from the muscles.
Be careful not to place your massage gun on your spine. To avoid vibrating your abdomen, your lower back and upper back are directly linked. We recommend that you don't go below the bottom of your shoulder blades. Talk to your doctor if you are unsure how low you should go.