Pregnancy and foot massage go hand in hand. If not by default, they certainly should. There is emerging medical science that shows this is not a fluke - real-world benefits for those in pregnancy thanks to properly implemented foot massage are no longer an anecdote. Science has liberated the baby-bearer once again, and it is time for women everywhere to start collecting on those promised foot massages to help alleviate pregnancy symptoms and increase the flow of benefits to mother and child alike. 

Need a bit of science to back your request for frequent foot massages ladies? Here is some:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5535443/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20854342/

https://www.jemds.com/data_pdf/simin%20montazeri-sept-30-.pdf

https://pure.ulster.ac.uk/en/publications/the-effect-of-short-term-foot-reflexology-in-improving-constipati 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819918/

How can you benefit from Reflexology during pregnancy?

You will find nowhere in this article that we believe it’s ok or smart to try to induce labor through the use of reflexology. It is not. Your medical professionals, doula, midwife, or other pregnancy support should consult to help you make those decisions to promote safety for you and your baby. 

The foot and heel arches are perfect pressure points to gain huge benefits from foot pain and tenderness. You can relieve pressure in the feet by pressing in these arches with moderate to low pressure, depending on your tolerance until they become less tender. This will increase blood flow and can facilitate better massages overall on the feet. This method needs to be considered, but too much pressure can help to induce labor, so remember that you must be treating symptoms and not trying to create new ones. Listen to how your body reacts to manual touch therapy and tread lightly. 

Lymphatic massage can also help with swelling and edema concerns. You should consult a clinician in reflexology for proper touch therapy. Due to the nature of the placement of points on the bottom of the foot, a massage device may be a perfect substitute for short-term relief and in conjunction with help from a reflexologist that knows what they are doing. The lymphatic system has multiple points on the bottom of the foot which can be adequately reached with automatic foot massagers and other tools. 

It’s not just for Edema anymore, but why not for edema too?

Painful swelling from trapped fluid in the tissues of the body, specifically in the feet and lower legs is not fun. Science has proven that edema can effectively be treated through manual touch therapy as well as reflexology, but most specifically through properly implemented foot massage, which can be achieved by using an automatic massager and associated manual therapies. These can be administered by yourself or someone else - though if we had our choice you know we’d be finding a partner to help out or a qualified helper with certifications. 

Keep the massage devices handy though, as massage has no ceiling on the number of uses before it becomes less effective. It can always be useful. 

What other pregnancy symptoms can foot massage treat?

Lucky for you, there are very few pregnancy symptoms that cannot benefit from good foot massage techniques. 

The following is a shortlist of the benefactors of such a foot focus:

• Fatigue
• Spasms and cramping in lower legs
• Edema in lower extremities
• Sleep quality 
• Blood pressure consistency
• Anxiety and inability to relax
• Aches and pains that come with pregnancy
• Constipation
• Even postpartum pain management and comfort can benefit from foot massage

And as a final note, the myth that massage for feet and ankles is bad on pregnant women seems to now be skewed in favor of implementing them for relief of edema and other concerns, with very low risk. Sufficient studies have been performed to show the low risk involved. For those who feel they may be at risk, they should consult with their medical professional to be sure.