I Hate Prenatal Massages

One of the questions I get asked most often is, “What’s your favorite massage to do?” I don’t mind performing any of the modalities I’m trained in, but I genuinely dislike doing prenatal massages. Over the years, I’ve given many prenatal massages, and I’ve never enjoyed them—not once.

The main reason I dislike them so much is the side-lying position. Clients are usually complaining of back or neck pain, yet I prefer working on someone’s back when they’re face-down. In that position, the entire back is open and accessible. With side-lying, the spine is in an awkward position, and I can really only work on half the back at a time. I also love doing scalp massage, but again, only half of the head is accessible while the other half is pressed into the pillow or table.

My body mechanics feel completely off. I have to apply oil sideways, rotate my arms unnaturally, and work with my hands turned at odd angles. It just feels wrong. I’ve always hated doing prenatal massages, and that hasn’t changed.

Some places I’ve worked didn’t require me to do them, while others insisted that all staff members had to. Honestly, I would rather do five deep tissue massages in one day than a single hour-long prenatal massage. I’d even prefer working on someone for two straight hours over doing a 50-minute prenatal session. That’s how much I dislike them.

Health Care Provider

 💜💜💜 I am a CAMTC certificate holder.  I'm now considered a healthcare provider. 💜💜💜

Cooties

I really do NOT believe in getting a massage while you are coughing, sniffling, sneezing, have vomitted in the last 24 hours from an illness, etc.  Please stay home.  

When experiencing cold or flu symptoms, it is generally advised to avoid massage therapy due to the following contraindications: 

Contagious Nature: Massage can potentially spread the infection to the therapist and other clients. 

Worsening Symptoms: Receiving a massage may not alleviate symptoms and could make you feel worse. 

Total Contraindication: Conditions like fever and infectious diseases, including cold and flu, are considered total contraindications for massage. 

Therapist's Discretion: Therapists may decline to provide massage if you are exhibiting cold or flu symptoms to protect their health. 

In summary, it is best to postpone massage therapy until you have fully recovered.  Every single time someone gets a massage from me and showing me symptoms of illness while on the table, I have to completely sterilize the entire room.  

One of the indicators someone is ill is a cough or sneeze with bad breath.  There are regular mouth odors and then there are sick odors.  If I can smell it, I get instantly irritated.  I know I have the potential to get sick.  I caregive my elderly mother with advanced Alzheimer's Disease, which also affects her immune system.  Now, I have to worry about getting my mother sick.  If she gets pneumonia, flu or Covid she could die.  People do not take this into consideration when they book their massage appointments.

Please, STAY HOME if you are coughing, unusually clearing your throat or lungs, sniffling, sneezing, have pain in your throat or when you swallow, earaches.  If you are at the END of your sick cycle but still coughing or needing to clear your throat or lungs, you are STILL sick.  You aren't sick when the symptoms are completely gone.