There is nothing as soothing and relaxing as pampering your body with a nice massage. A massage can feel magical if the masseur is good at it. However, in certain instances massage chairs have started to replace massage therapists. These chairs have become a convenience that you might see in an airport, shopping mall, or even your own home. With the prevalence of these chairs increasing, it’s no surprise that pregnant women may be exposed to them in some capacity. Massage has been known to be used to help induce labor, but what about when you aren’t ready to go into labor? It begs the question, can you use a massage chair while pregnant? Is it safe to use it?

You will always get mixed answers when you ask such a question. In fact, once you read the warning labels on it, you may be convinced that a massage chair is completely out of the question for a pregnant woman. There are several reasons why pregnant women are advised not to use massage chairs and why some question if it is safe to use a massage chair while pregnant. All these reasons should be considered before using.

• You may trigger several pressure points on the body with a massage chair, which may lead to premature labor.
• Many massage chairs come with a heating function, which when used can cause an increase in body temperature. Increasing the mother’s body temperature can cause a spike in the heart rate of the baby, which could lead to cardiovascular problems.
• Some chairs come with a vibration feature, which some doctors recommend avoiding while pregnant.

Despite these advisories, does this mean that a massage chair should never be used by a pregnant woman? Well, massages and massage chairs can still be beneficial, especially when you are pregnant.

Benefits of Using a Massage Chair While Pregnant

A pregnant woman will always enjoy a good massage. Despite concerns, when used in a safe manner and after consulting a doctor, there are several benefits a pregnant woman can experience. When deemed safe to use a massage chair while pregnant by your doctor, you can benefit in the following ways.

• Reduced stress – One of the reasons why it is advisable to massage the body is to lower stress. Prenatal massage will manage hormone levels in the body which will help to reduce anxiety, depression and stress.
• Eases back and leg pain – Since your growing uterus takes up a lot of space and puts pressure on your body, a good massage chair will help ease that pain. Chairs with a zero gravity function, will help shift the pressure across your entire body and this function will also provide many other benefits. Additionally, chairs with a gentle vibration can help increase blood flow to these areas.
• Reduced chance of postnatal depression – Research shows that massage therapy during labor reduces chances of postnatal depression.
• Shortens labor – Research has also shown that massages can help to shorten labor. Unless you have complications, using a massage chair will help make labor easy.

So, can a massage chair be safe for a pregnant woman? Yes it can be, but just like any other device you use while you are pregnant, precautions should also be taken. So before you use any massage recliner, it is always advisable to consult your doctor for approval.

Precautions to Take Before Using a Massage Chair While Pregnant

• Pregnant women should not use a massage chair during the first trimester. This is the time when the baby is rapidly growing and transforming. The first three months are crucial and are known to be the time for the highest probability of miscarriage.
• You should not spend more than 15-20 minutes in a massage chair.
• Avoid too much pressure on your growing belly during the third trimester. You don’t want to be squeezing into the chair. If you are too big, than consider not using it at all.