Pregnancy massage is a specialised form of therapeutic massage that is adapted specifically to the physiological and anatomical changes of pregnancy. It is not simply a relaxation massage with the client lying on their side. It requires the therapist to understand how pregnancy alters muscle function, joint mechanics, fluid dynamics, and tissue sensitivity, and to adjust every aspect of treatment accordingly.
During pregnancy, the body undergoes substantial structural change. Weight distribution shifts as the uterus grows, loading the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints in ways that produce the lower back, hip, and pelvic pain that most pregnant women experience at some point. The hormone relaxin increases joint laxity across the entire body, making muscles work harder to stabilise joints that are no longer as mechanically stable as before. Fluid volume increases by up to 50%, contributing to the oedema in legs and feet that is common particularly in the second and third trimesters.
The course was based on the Watson Headache® Approach, a protocol for the skilled assessment and management of the upper cervical (neck) spine in Cervicogenic and Primary Headache, and related conditions in which the underlying dysfunction is sensitisation of the lower brainstem. The Watson Headache® Approach is recognised as a scientifically researched method of examination as well as a comprehensive clinical management system. For further information, go to: www.WatsonHeadacheApproach.com.
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Each trimester brings different physical demands, different areas of discomfort, and different clinical considerations. At Myofitness, every pregnancy massage is adapted to the specific stage of pregnancy, with technique, positioning, pressure, and focus areas all adjusted accordingly.
Pregnancy massage is generally not recommended during the first trimester due to the elevated risk of miscarriage in early pregnancy. Most practitioners, including those at Myofitness, advise waiting until the second trimester has begun before commencing massage treatment.
Please wait until 12 weeks
The second trimester is often when pregnancy massage is most comfortably received. The risk of early miscarriage has significantly reduced, the bump is not yet large enough to restrict positioning significantly, and many women are experiencing the physical discomforts of postural change for the first time. Table massage with appropriate positioning modifications is recommended at this stage.
The third trimester places the greatest physical demand on the body and is often when the benefits of pregnancy massage are felt most strongly. Futon-based massage allows greater comfort and easier repositioning as the bump grows. The focus shifts toward managing the significant postural loading of late pregnancy, reducing oedema, and supporting the body’s preparation for labour.
The lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints bear the greatest structural load during pregnancy. Targeted massage to the muscles supporting these joints provides significant and sustained pain reduction for most expectant mothers.
The 50% increase in blood and lymphatic fluid volume during pregnancy contributes to oedema particularly in the lower limbs. Gentle, rhythmic massage technique supports lymphatic drainage and reduces swelling without compression that is contraindicated in pregnancy.
Studies consistently show that pregnancy massage improves sleep onset and quality. Reduced muscular tension, lower cortisol, and increased serotonin all contribute to a more settled nervous system that is better able to rest.
Pregnancy massage measurably reduces cortisol and increases serotonin and dopamine. These neurochemical changes produce genuine, physiologically grounded reductions in stress and anxiety, not just a temporary feeling of calm during the session.
Uterine growth and postural change during the third trimester increase pressure on the sciatic nerve and its contributing lumbar and sacral nerve roots. Targeted massage to the piriformis and surrounding hip musculature provides direct relief from pregnancy-related sciatica.
The neurochemical effects of pregnancy massage, including reduced cortisol and increased serotonin, produce measurable improvements in mood and reductions in prenatal depression. Research from the Touch Research Institute documents these effects across multiple controlled studies.
Regular massage in the third trimester has been associated with reduced pain during labour and delivery, and some research suggests a positive effect on labour outcomes through reduced physiological stress and improved hormonal balance leading into birth.
The benefits of massage do not end at birth. Postnatal massage at Myofitness supports recovery of the musculoskeletal system, addresses the new postural demands of feeding and carrying a newborn, and supports the emotional and physical transition of the postpartum period.
A short conversation at the start of every session covering your current stage of pregnancy, which areas are most uncomfortable, any changes since your last appointment, and your goals for today.
Side-lying positioning with large, supportive pillows adjusted to your comfort. Table or futon selected based on your stage of pregnancy. Your therapist will ensure you are settled before treatment begins.
Technique, depth, and focus areas selected based on your assessment. Firmer pressure to areas of significant tension such as the lower back, neck, and hips. Lighter, supportive technique to areas of oedema and fluid accumulation.
Postural guidance, cervical exercise, and practical strategies to maintain treatment gains and reduce the likelihood of recurrence between sessions and beyond the treatment program.
No two pregnancies are identical, and no two pregnancy massage sessions at Myofitness are identical either. Your therapist takes a brief intake at the start of every appointment to understand what is happening in your body right now: which areas are most uncomfortable, whether anything has changed since your last session, and what your primary goals for this appointment are.
This ongoing assessment is what makes pregnancy massage at Myofitness genuinely therapeutic rather than simply pleasant. Your lower back pain in week 20 has a different pattern from your lower back pain in week 35. Your oedema in the second trimester has a different clinical picture from the oedema of the third. Treatment needs to reflect these differences.
All massage is performed in a side-lying position with large, supportive pillows for both mother and baby throughout. Table massage is used in earlier stages of pregnancy. Futon massage is recommended from the third trimester when the growing belly makes table positioning less comfortable. Your therapist will guide you through positioning at the start of each session.
The lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints are under sustained increased load throughout pregnancy, particularly as the uterus grows and the centre of gravity shifts forward. Targeted massage to the supporting musculature provides the most direct and effective relief available without medication.
Uterine growth and postural change during the second and third trimesters increases pressure on the piriformis and the sciatic nerve it sits against. Massage to the deep hip rotators relieves this compression directly and produces rapid improvement in sciatica-like symptoms that are common in late pregnancy.
Fluid retention in pregnancy is driven by increased blood and lymphatic volume, hormonal effects on vascular tone, and uterine pressure on pelvic drainage pathways. Pregnancy massage using rhythmic lymphatic technique reduces this accumulation, and the relief, particularly to feet and ankles, is often immediate and significant.
The forward shift of the centre of gravity during pregnancy increases compensatory loading in the upper back, neck, and shoulders. This produces the chronic tension and headache patterns that many pregnant women experience from the second trimester onwards and which respond well to targeted deep tissue and trigger point work.
Difficulty finding comfortable sleep positioning, restless legs, and a nervous system that is running at higher alert than usual all contribute to the sleep disruption that affects most pregnant women in the third trimester. Pregnancy massage measurably improves sleep quality through muscular relaxation, nervous system regulation, and the neurochemical effects of therapeutic touch.
Pregnancy is physically and emotionally demanding, and anxiety about the process ahead is entirely normal. Pregnancy massage provides genuine physiological stress relief through cortisol reduction and serotonin increase. These effects are measurable, not just subjective. Regular massage during pregnancy is one of the most evidence-supported non-pharmacological interventions for prenatal anxiety.
Yes. Pregnancy massage is considered safe from the second trimester, generally from around 12 to 13 weeks, and is adapted to each stage of pregnancy through positioning, technique, and pressure selection. At Myofitness, our therapists are trained in pregnancy massage and understand the anatomical and physiological changes of each trimester. We recommend avoiding massage during the first trimester and always recommend consulting your GP or midwife if you have a high-risk pregnancy, placenta previa, bleeding, or other complications before booking.
Pregnancy massage is generally recommended from the second trimester, which begins at week 13. The first trimester carries an elevated risk of miscarriage and massage is not recommended during this period. From 13 weeks, regular pregnancy massage is safe for most women and the benefits become accessible. If you are between 13 and 20 weeks and have any concerns, we recommend checking with your GP or midwife before your first appointment.
Both are performed in a side-lying position with supportive pillows. Table massage is recommended in the second trimester and early third trimester when the bump is still manageable on a treatment table. Futon massage, performed on a padded mat on the floor, is recommended from around the third trimester onward, as it provides greater comfort, easier repositioning as the pregnancy progresses, and eliminates any concern about table stability. Your therapist will recommend the most appropriate option based on your stage of pregnancy and your comfort preferences.
All pregnancy massage at Myofitness is performed in a side-lying position using large, supportive pillows to ensure comfort for both you and your baby. You will be repositioned during the session to treat both sides of the body. Face-down massage using pregnancy pillows with a cut-out for the abdomen is not used at Myofitness, as side-lying positioning is considered the safest and most comfortable option throughout pregnancy.
Yes. Pregnancy-related sciatica is most commonly caused by increased pressure on the piriformis muscle in the buttock, which sits adjacent to the sciatic nerve and can compress it as the uterus grows and postural changes occur. Targeted massage to the piriformis and surrounding deep hip rotators provides direct relief from this compression and is one of the most effective available treatments for sciatica during pregnancy. Results are typically noticed within one to two sessions.
Yes. Pregnancy massage provided by a qualified remedial massage therapist or myotherapist is claimable through most private health extras policies. The specific rebate depends on your fund and level of cover. We use HICAPS at all three clinics for on-the-spot claiming. We recommend confirming your cover with your insurer before your appointment.
Yes. Postnatal massage is available at all three Myofitness clinics and addresses the significant physical demands of the postpartum period, including the new postural loading of of feeding, carrying, and caring for a newborn, recovery of the musculoskeletal system from the physical demands of pregnancy and birth, and the oedema and fluid shifts that occur in the days and weeks following delivery. We recommend waiting until at least two weeks after birth for postnatal massage, or longer if you have had a caesarean section. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
This depends on your individual presentation and goals. For general wellbeing and prevention of the common discomforts of pregnancy, a session every two to four weeks is typical. If you are experiencing significant lower back pain, sciatica, or oedema, more frequent sessions, fortnightly or even weekly in the third trimester, may be appropriate and are often when the greatest benefit is felt. Your therapist will recommend a frequency based on your assessment findings and what your body is telling you.
Pregnancy massage for every trimester, from North Melbourne, Yarraville, and Surrey Hills. No referral required. Private health accepted. Same-week appointments usually available.
