Safety & best practice

Research to date indicates prenatal massage is generally safe in uncomplicated pregnancies when delivered by trained therapists using pregnancy-appropriate positioning (side-lying) and pressure. Reviews advise avoiding deep tissue work on the legs (because of DVT risk), avoiding abdominal massage, and using only dilute essential oils if any. If you have pregnancy complications (e.g., placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, clotting disorders), speak with your obstetric provider first.

Latest research: how pregnancy massage can help

Good news for mums-to-be — high-quality studies continue to show that professionally-delivered prenatal massage can ease common symptoms and support wellbeing.

  • Less stress, anxiety & low mood. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis found massage produced moderateimprovements in antenatal anxiety and depressive symptoms versus usual care (7 RCTs; none low risk of bias, so findings are promising but cautious). PubMed
    A 2021 review of 12 RCTs also reported lower stress plus favourable changes in stress-related hormones (↑ serotonin/dopamine; ↓ cortisol/noradrenaline). MDPI

  • Eases back & leg pain. Trials included in the 2021 review reported reductions in back/leg pain with relaxation massage. Broader pregnancy pain guidance (Cochrane) suggests manual therapy as part of a multi-modal approach (manual therapy + exercise + education) may help low-back/pelvic pain. MDPI+1

  • Potential benefits for birth outcomes (early evidence). In studies of depressed pregnant women, regular massage was associated with higher birth weight and fewer preterm births; authors emphasise these neonatal findings come largely from one research group and need replication. MDPI+1

  • During labour: mixed but encouraging. One randomized trial showed shorter first and second stages of labour and higher 1- and 5-minute Apgar scores with massage. Another trial by registered massage therapists showed a non-significant reduction in pain (i.e., trend but not definitive).

  • Perineal massage (self-massage, late pregnancy). Separate to full-body massage, antenatal perineal massage has strong evidence: Cochrane reviews and recent meta-analyses show reduced episiotomy/perineal trauma, less ongoing perineal pain, and in some studies a shorter second stage of labour. Cochrane+2PubMed+2

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WHAT A MASSAGE THERAPY SESSION WITH ME IS LIKE

A session with me is more than just a treatment—it’s a ritual of care. From the moment you arrive, the space is prepared to help you let go of stress and feel at ease. Heated towels are used to melt away tension and bring comfort, while gentle cleansing rituals help you transition out of the busyness of daily life and into stillness.

Each massage is guided by deep attunement to your body’s needs. I listen carefully—not only to your words but also to the way your muscles, breath, and energy respond—so that every stroke, stretch, and technique is tailored to you. My aim is for you to leave not just lighter in your body, but calmer, clearer, and more balanced in yourself.

1. Comfort & Care

Heated towels, soothing rituals, and a calm space help you release stress and ease into deep relaxation from the moment you arrive.

2. Attuned to You

Each session is guided by careful attention to your body’s needs—tailored techniques that restore balance, ease tension, and leave you feeling lighter and renewed.