Pregnancy is a special time that requires the woman to be healthy and relaxed.
But let’s be real…
With lower back pain, sciatica, and if you happen to have a mini ninja kicking your insides, relaxation can be hard to come by.
Some wonder if using a massage chair while pregnant is safe. We’ve gathered all of the information you need in one place, so you can decide if it’s your answer to feeling good!
How Do Massage Chairs Work?
There are many different types of massage chairs, but all of them use an advanced mechanical system of motors, gears, and rollers to administer a full-body massage.
Some recliners have special therapeutic features such as heating pads or a vibration function, while others have 3D roller technology that kneads deep into the tissue to massage pressure points.
Massage chairs offer a variety of programs and advanced techniques, giving users plenty of versatility for pain relief or just relaxing after a stressful day.
Is It Ok to Sit in a Massage Chair While Pregnant?
If you look through online forums, it’s easy to find soon-to-be mothers asking about getting a massage chair while pregnant. Of course, it sounds like a dream come true to enjoy a massage at home whenever you desire, especially when growing a tiny human.
But the truth is, there’s a lot of conflicting information out there regarding whether it’s safe to sit in a massage chair while pregnant.
Some manufacturers advise against it because they say that stimulating the pressure points in the body may cause premature labor. However, there is no evidence to support this theory.
Others say that using a vibrating massage chair while pregnant may also cause premature labor or miscarriage. Or that electromagnetic waves can harm the baby.
Honestly, your baby is well-protected inside your womb. She is cushioned in layers of muscles, floating comfortably in amniotic fluid.
And all that vibrating? We feel vibrations daily and don’t give them a second thought, whether riding in a car or walking down the street.
Do the mild vibrations of a massage chair pose a threat?
It’s difficult to say, especially when you read something like “electromagnetic waves,” even though there is no evidence about this being a threat.
But if you’re in a lot of pain, suffering from severe morning sickness, or having trouble sleeping, then a massage could be helpful.
The best course of action to take is to talk to your doctor before using a massage chair while pregnant.
Your doctor can advise you on the safest types of massage techniques for your unique needs and whether a massage chair is right for you or going to a masseuse is more beneficial.
Why Try a Back Massage Chair While Pregnant?
If your doctor gives you the green light to sink into that plush chair of miracles, you’ll experience several benefits that may ease pregnancy discomfort.
Combats Stress and Depression
Hormones are on a roller coaster ride during pregnancy as the body changes to accommodate and prepare for the arrival of your tiny human.
Your physical state isn’t the only thing affected, and so are your emotions. Pregnancy can give rise to feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression due to fluctuating hormones.
Also, it can continue months after the baby is born. One out of 10 new mothers feels the effects of postpartum depression after pregnancy.
Massage chairs were shown to combat stress and depression by decreasing cortisol levels and boosting serotonin and dopamine levels. These are the chemicals and hormones responsible for happiness.
Eases Back Pain and Leg Pain
The extra weight of a baby puts added pressure on your legs and lower back, especially during the third trimester. A massage chair can gently soothe away the soreness, keeping muscles loose and comfortable.
Just be careful about using lumbar heat. Many recliners come with heating pads built into the lower backrest, but heat is not safe for pregnant women to use.
This increases body temperature, which in turn can spike the baby’s heart rate, putting them at risk of cardiovascular issues.
Remember, if you have questions, always consult your doctor first and foremost!
Improves Blood Circulation
As your baby grows, it needs plenty of oxygen and nutrients, which are carried to the womb via the mother’s blood flow.
Massage chairs help facilitate blood circulation, ensuring that your body is functioning at peak performance to give your little one what they need to thrive.
Immunity Boost
Keeping your immune system revved and ready is paramount during pregnancy, especially since it’s not advised for pregnant women to take certain medicines.
Of course, many foods provide the vitamins needed to boost immunity, but did you know that massage chairs can help, too?
Massage has been proven to flush the body of toxins and increase lymphocyte production, which fights against bacterial infections and viruses like the common cold and flu.
Calms the Body and Mind For Sleep
Is that ninja kicking up a storm inside your belly right before bedtime? Babies are most active at night due to the pregnant women’s fluctuating blood sugar levels, and it’s also one of the reasons for sleep troubles when pregnant.
Furthermore, finding a comfortable position seems impossible, especially in the third trimester.
In fact, it’s been reported that 78% of pregnant women experience sleep disorders such as insomnia and sleep apnea that take a toll on the body and mind.
If anything, it’s definitely not fun to already be sleep-deprived before the newborn phase begins!
But this is an issue that a massage chair may help resolve. There are plenty of programs and extra features aimed at making the user feel deeply relaxed and calm before bedtime.
For pregnant women, a recliner with a Zero Gravity Position is safe and beneficial for relaxing.
Zero Gravity is a concept inspired by NASA, which positions the body with the legs slightly elevated above the heart. It induces a feeling of weightlessness, releasing pressure off the muscles, spine, and joints.
It’s incredibly soothing right before bed, especially for pregnant women carrying the extra weight of a baby. This position also facilitates blood flow, another important benefit we touched on earlier.
Tips for Using a Massage Chair While Pregnant
Whether you’re eyeing that pedicure massage chair while pregnant or wanting to use a neck massager, there are so many different types of massage chairs on the market, with a dizzying amount of features.
Most chairs are fine to use, except for pedicure massage chairs– it’s recommended not to use this type due to the pressure nodes. You should also steer clear of the following features:
Also, watch the intensity and speed of the rollers, but most chairs allow you to adjust these settings for a gentler massage anyways.
For pregnant women, the massage duration should be no more than 20 minutes long and should be started in the second trimester and onward.
Massage is not recommended during the first trimester because this is when miscarriage is at the highest risk.
When Should You Avoid Using a Vibrating Massage Chair While Pregnant?
We briefly touched on vibration already, but it’s one of the most worrying features of a massage chair for expectant mothers.
The truth is, vibration is the least of your worries. There are so many different types of vibrations that pregnant women experience, such as having sex, using a vibrator, or even walking down the street.
The same goes for massage chairs. The mild vibrations are similar to riding in a car and most likely won’t affect the baby. If you’re still not sure, consult your doctor first.
You should also avoid using a vibrating massage chair if you have one of the following conditions:
Massage Chair Alternatives
If you’ve come this far in the article, you might be thinking that you don’t even want to risk it, and that’s perfectly fine! There are plenty of other healthy ways to de-stress and soothe those aching muscles.
You could try the following instead of a massage chair:
Our Final Words on Using a Massage Chair While Pregnant
Being pregnant is hard work, especially when dealing with various aches, pains, sleep deprivation, and fatigue on a daily basis.
While there are various methods to get relief, many pregnant women wonder if using a massage chair while pregnant is safe and effective.
The good news is, massage chairs do offer several benefits for instant relief, but every pregnancy is different and must be regarded with the utmost care. That’s why the best place to start is by asking your doctor for their recommendation.
References & Resources:
- During Pregnancy, CDC.
- Pregnancy Massage, Health Direct.
- Pregnancy and Exercise, Better Health.
- How Often Should You Get a Massage? Health Line.
- A Pilot Study of Partner Chair Massage Effects on Perinatal Mood, Anxiety, and Pain, NCBI.