Using a massage chair while pregnant: Safety advice and tips
Pregnancy is hard on your body, so it is important to make some time for rest and relaxation. While you’re pregnant, you may find some relief from discomfort by relaxing in a massage chair.
To alleviate discomfort during pregnancy and boost circulation, massage chairs are a godsend. However, massage chairs’ safety for use during pregnancy remains a contentious topic.
Many people think that expecting mothers shouldn’t use massage chairs. And there are some important reasons why. All of the best massage chairs come equipped with a heating pad to raise your body temperature. And a woman could go into premature labor if her pressure points were manipulated while she was pregnant.
This is why it is important to get advice from a medical professional before using a massage chair while pregnant. To help you learn more about the subject, in this article we will cover some of the most important points you need to know about the safety of using massage chairs while pregnant.
When pregnant, you may be worried about using the best massage chair, or even a medical breakthrough massage chair for relaxation purposes. There is no simple answer as to whether this is the right choice for you – just like with many aspects of pregnancy.
So let’s learn the pros and cons of using a massage chair during pregnancy, as well as other options for finding comfort during this time.
Should pregnant women avoid using massage chairs?
Pregnant women are a growing market for massage chairs due to the incredible relief that a professional massage can provide. However, there are several issues that can arise from using a massage chair while pregnant.
Your baby should never be exposed to the heating pad included in most massage chairs. When a newborn gets too hot, it can cause serious heart problems. Hyperthermia can also be caused by being exposed to excessive heat.
As a result, it’s best to stay away from the massage chair’s warming functions. In general, a massage chair poses little risk during pregnancy if used properly, and with medical advice.
When should you avoid using a massage chair while pregnant?
Here are occasions you should avoid using a massage chair while pregnant:
- The idea of it doesn’t appeal. You don’t have to use an electric pregnancy massage chair if the thought of doing so during pregnancy makes you uncomfortable. During the first trimester and the last few weeks of pregnancy, some women may experience increased discomfort. There are other reasons why you might wish to avoid using a massage chair while pregnant.
- You experience nausea and vomiting when you wake. All the squishing and pushing around could make you sick if you suffer from severe morning sickness.
- You have sciatica. You might believe a massage will help your sciatica. However, it might make things worse by further hurting overworked or overly sensitive nerves and muscles.
- Your back hurts. Pregnancy-related back discomfort is challenging since you risk aggravating the affected area.
It is important to discuss using a massage chair with your doctor or midwife if you’re experiencing significant pain.
Why should you use a massage chair?
Using a medical massage chair as a medical breakthrough massage chair can feel like magic; the calming sensation and the pampering it provides are both wonderful. And there are some good reasons why massage chairs have become increasingly popular among pregnant women.
Firstly, your expanding uterus causes discomfort in your lower back and legs. A massage chair can help alleviate these symptoms by increasing blood flow to your upper body.
As your expanding uterus pushes on your body, this relieves the pressure that is normally felt in your legs and back.
Secondly, both the nodes and the rollers can be used to target specific areas for a relaxing massage. Depending on your situation, the nodes and rollers can be moved to focus on different parts of your body. The infant will feel no sudden movement from the vibrations, keeping them safe.
When should pregnant women completely avoid the use of massage chairs?
It’s no secret that pregnancy can be physically tough – after all you are growing a human being in your body. And your physical and emotional state both undergo radical transformations as a result of the pregnancy’s hormonal upheaval.
As a general rule, expectant mothers shouldn’t use massage chairs without first consulting with their doctors. There are also some specific times it is not advised:
- Do not use a massage chair if you have a bad headache.
- Avoid it if there is a family history of premature birth or miscarriage.
- The chair should not be used by anyone who has edema or other forms of excessive swelling.
- If you are pregnant and your risk of complications is significant, so take extra precautions.
- Pre-eclampsia sufferers should stay away from it.
- If you’re overweight and worried about fitting into the chair, skip the massage chair altogether.
A few tips for using massage chairs
There is no doubting the usefulness of therapeutic massage chairs, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind:
- Avoid sitting in a chair in the early stages of pregnancy, when your body is through rapid change, and miscarriage is more likely.
- If you’re getting too big for the massage chair in your third trimester, don’t try to squeeze into it.
- Avoid abusing the massage chair. You should not spend more than 15–20 minutes even if you’re tempted to stay longer.
- Avoid using the massage chair if you have any health issues such as swelling, severe headaches, or a history of preterm labor.
Enjoy a massage chair when you are pregnant – safely!
Although it has not been proved either way, it seems reasonable to assume that using an electric massage chair during pregnancy is safe, as long as you take the proper precautions.
You can play it safe by turning down the heat and massage settings of the massage chair, but unless you have a high-risk or complex pregnancy, you probably don’t need to worry about using a massage chair.
If you’re in need of pain relief similar to that provided by a massage chair but don’t have access to one, a qualified massage therapist can help. Pregnancy-safe over-the-counter pain medications, prenatal yoga, a warm bath, and physical therapy are just some of the options you can discuss.
Ana Clover is a Content Marketing Manager at Medical breakthrough with immense experience in developing innovative and research-driven content on the best massage chairs, with the aim to get relief from unbelievable pains, and stress, treatment of chronic illness, and reduce the need for medication.
