Prenatal massage shares many of the goals of regular massage — to relax tense muscles, ease sore spots, improve circulation and mobility, and just make you feel good. But it’s also tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women and their changing bodies, and therapists who are trained in prenatal massage adjust their techniques accordingly.

How can prenatal massage help me?

The therapeutic benefits of massage for pregnant women haven’t been studied very much. There’s some evidence that massage may help people who suffer from low back pain and possibly those with chronic headaches, but the studies weren’t done with pregnant women. In any case, massage may decrease stress and promote relaxation, helping you cope with discomfort even if it doesn’t prevent it.

Carrying a baby inside you changes your center of gravity and puts a lot of stress on your back, neck, abdominal muscles, and shoulders. Pregnancy also relaxes your ligaments, so that your pelvic joints are less stable, and changes your posture, pulling your pelvis forward. Add to that the extra weight you’re carrying and you’ve got yourself an aching lower back.

A trained prenatal massage therapist knows where a pregnant woman’s sore spots are likely to be and may be able to provide some relief. But don’t forget to communicate with her and tell her where you need attention.