Safety Status:
Trying to Conceive: SafePregnancy: Safe
Postpartum: Safe
What We Know: Massage therapy encompasses various techniques involving manipulation of soft tissues to promote relaxation, pain relief, and improved circulation. Common forms include Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, sports massage, and specialized prenatal massage.
For individuals trying to conceive, massage is considered safe and potentially beneficial. No clinical evidence suggests that appropriate massage negatively impacts fertility. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine notes that stress reduction techniques, including massage, may support overall reproductive health. Some fertility clinics even recommend massage for stress management during treatment cycles. However, deep abdominal massage should also be avoided during the two-week wait period after ovulation or embryo transfer.
During pregnancy, massage receives a “Safe” classification primarily assuming modifications needed for safety and comfort. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recognizes massage as a complementary therapy that may help with pregnancy-related discomforts when performed by qualified practitioners with appropriate training. Several important pregnancy considerations include:
- Seeking therapists specifically trained in prenatal massage who understand appropriate positioning and techniques
- Avoiding prone (face-down) positioning after the first trimester, instead using side-lying positions with supportive cushioning
- Ensuring proper communication about comfort and any medical conditions
Research published in the Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology indicates that appropriate prenatal massage may help manage pregnancy-related back pain, anxiety, and sleep difficulties. Multiple studies have found no adverse outcomes associated with properly performed prenatal massage.
For postpartum individuals, massage is considered safe when performed with appropriate awareness of recovery status. Massage therapy can help address musculoskeletal discomfort related to childbirth, infant care activities, and the physical adaptations of pregnancy. Postpartum-specific considerations include:
- Waiting until lochia (postpartum bleeding) has significantly decreased before receiving full-body massage
- Avoiding pressure on healing perineal tissues or cesarean incision sites until fully healed
- Using special positioning for comfort during early postpartum, particularly for those who experienced difficult deliveries
- Being aware of increased joint laxity that may persist for several months postpartum
For lactating individuals specifically, massage can help with neck, shoulder, and back tension related to nursing positions. Some evidence suggests that massage may help reduce stress hormones that could potentially affect milk production, though direct studies on massage and lactation are limited.
Regardless of reproductive stage, it’s important to disclose relevant health information to massage therapists and seek practitioners with appropriate training for prenatal and postpartum care.
Sources: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee Opinion on Complementary and Integrative Therapies, American Massage Therapy Association Guidelines for Prenatal and Postpartum Massage, Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Systematic Reviews, International Journal of Neuroscience Studies on Massage and Hormonal Response