Sarah Fogarty1, Catherine McInerney2, Cath Stuart3, Phillipa Hay4. 1. Western Sydney University, School of Medicine, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia. Electronic address: s.fogarty@westernsydney.edu.au. 2. Pregnancy Massage Australia, PO Box 86, Bright, VIC 3741, Australia. 3. 244 Illawarra Rd, Marrickville, NSW 2204, Australia. 4. Western Sydney University, School of Medicine, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Women commonly use massage therapy during pregnancy for pregnancy-related health conditions such as lower back and neck pain; however, there is little to no research related evidence on the side effects or mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to report on the side effects and mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period. DESIGN: An observational study methodology. SETTING AND TIME FRAME: Two massage clinics, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne recruited participants from December 2016 to December 2017. INTERVENTION: Massage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Side effects and mother or child physical harm from massage. RESULTS: One hundred and one participants were recruited to the study. Two fifths of the participants (n = 32, 40%) experienced one of more post-massage side effects. There were no mother or child physical harm events. Low back pain was the most common condition women sought massage treatment for 34 (33.7.%). A significant benefit (p < 0.001) was seen pre-massage to post-massage and pre-massage to 1-week post massage in decreasing stress, decreasing pain, increasing range of motion and improving sleep DISCUSSION: Similar to previous research, low back pain was the most common condition that women sought massage treatment for followed by hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and to improve mental health. Ninety-seven percent of the cohort received a full body massage including the feet leading credence that 'massage on the feet during pregnancy is harmful' is mythic in nature. CONCLUSION: While our findings lead credence that massage on the feet during pregnancy is a myth the study was not powered to determine the safety of pregnancy massage and further research is needed. Massage was commonly sought for low back pain with promising benefits in decreased pain and improved range of movement and further research on the effectiveness of massage for low back pain in pregnancy. Crown
INTRODUCTION:Women commonly use massage therapy during pregnancy for pregnancy-related health conditions such as lower back and neck pain; however, there is little to no research related evidence on the side effects or mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to report on the side effects and mother or child physical harm of massage during pregnancy and the postnatal period. DESIGN: An observational study methodology. SETTING AND TIME FRAME: Two massage clinics, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne recruited participants from December 2016 to December 2017. INTERVENTION: Massage. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Side effects and mother or child physical harm from massage. RESULTS: One hundred and one participants were recruited to the study. Two fifths of the participants (n = 32, 40%) experienced one of more post-massage side effects. There were no mother or child physical harm events. Low back pain was the most common condition women sought massage treatment for 34 (33.7.%). A significant benefit (p < 0.001) was seen pre-massage to post-massage and pre-massage to 1-week post massage in decreasing stress, decreasing pain, increasing range of motion and improving sleep DISCUSSION: Similar to previous research, low back pain was the most common condition that women sought massage treatment for followed by hip pain, shoulder pain, neck pain and to improve mental health. Ninety-seven percent of the cohort received a full body massage including the feet leading credence that 'massage on the feet during pregnancy is harmful' is mythic in nature. CONCLUSION: While our findings lead credence that massage on the feet during pregnancy is a myth the study was not powered to determine the safety of pregnancy massage and further research is needed. Massage was commonly sought for low back pain with promising benefits in decreased pain and improved range of movement and further research on the effectiveness of massage for low back pain in pregnancy. Crown