Postnatal massage

by Hajni Varadi, sports & therapeutic massage therapist

Women often ask me how soon they can have a massage after giving birth. I usually recommend at least 3 weeks after having a natural birth, and 4-5 weeks after having a caesarean section.

It is advisable to allow time for the body to recover, heal and adjust to motherhood, as there are all sorts of new aches and pains to deal with. During pregnancy it is usually the lower back that hurts. However, with breastfeeding and carrying a baby, the muscles between the shoulder blades can get tight and sore. The neck can also be painful from constantly looking down. On top of this, hormonal changes in the body can sometimes cause postnatal depression.

I know it all sounds daunting, but on a cheery note, massage can help you feel human again. What's more, during the treatment you can have a well-deserved power nap! If you are breastfeeding and/or have had a caesarean, you will be in a side-lying position during the massage, supported by a specially designed cushion.

During pregnancy there are certain areas of the body, such as the inner ankles and the middle of the shoulders, that can't be stimulated very much because it can increase the risk of going to labour too early. Once you have had your baby, there are no restrictions to massage. You can have the tension in your shoulders kneaded away, and have your hands and feet massaged as well.

Ladies, whenever you feel ready, be it 3 weeks or 3 months after giving birth, treat yourselves to a massage. We look forward to seeing you at the Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy.

Massage appointments

If you would like more information about the postnatal massage services offered at the Putney Clinic of Physical Therapy, contact us on 020 9789 3881, send an email to info@putneyclinic.co.uk or visit our website.

Neti pot

When I was training to be a yoga teacher, one of the 6 purification techniques taught to us was Jala Neti ( also called Neti or Jaaneti). Purification techniques are sometimes performed as a way of preparing the body for a yoga practice. Whenever the neti pots came out, I disappeared, always needing to be somewhere else at that moment in time… I had many techniques to avoid it: the bathroom, the water fountain, the shop, anything but the Net. Pouring a saline solution up my hooter was really not for me and I have avoided it right up to today. I have got a steaming cold and, as a result, I now have sinus pain, so I have decided to give it another go. Talk about waiting until your back is against the wall! I rushed to the Sivanada yoga studio nearby and bought myself a ceramic neti pot and salt. I had to follow the one photographic image as the instructions were in German!!! Although I did not find it as unpleasant as some people describe, it was not as bad as I remembered. So I will us...

Search This Blog