Positive Health Online

Abstract

FIELD and colleagues, Touch Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida USA compared massage and relaxation therapy for pregnant women.

Background

Methodology

26 pregnant women were assigned either to a massage therapy or relaxation therapy group for 5 weeks. Therapy consisted of 20-minute sessions twice weekly.

Results

Both groups reported feeling less anxious following the first session and less leg pain following the first and last sessions. Only the massage therapy group, however, reported reduced anxiety, improved mood, better sleep and less back pain at the last day of the study. Also, urinary stress hormone levels (norepinephrine) decreased in the massage therapy group, those women had fewer complications during labour and their infants had fewer postnatal complications (i.e., less prematurity).

Conclusion

References

Field T et al. Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 20(1): 31-8. Mar 1999.