Muscle cramps during Pregnancy

Previously I have looked at nutritional factors that contribute to muscle cramps, now I want to move on to lifestyle factors.

Pregnancy

Leg cramps may start to plague you during your second trimester and may get worse as your pregnancy progresses and your belly gets bigger. While these cramps can occur during the day, you’ll probably notice them most at night, when they can interfere with your ability to get a good night’s sleep.  You may want to see a nutritionalist to determine if you are short of calcium and magnesium as inadequate levels of both of these minerals have been associated with muscle cramps during pregnancy.  You may also want to

 

  • Avoid standing or sitting with your legs crossed for long periods of time.
  • Stretch your calf muscles regularly during the day and several times before you go to bed.
  • Rotate your ankles and wiggle your toes when you sit, eat dinner, or watch TV.
  • Lie down on your left side to improve circulation to and from your legs.

 

It is safe to have massage from the 12 week of pregnancy, and in our clinic we have sucessfully eased the pain of pregnancy related muscle cramps.

Related Posts

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    These stretches can either be done as a complete series or individually and most of them can be done at your desk.  Some will ease tension in specific parts of the body whilst others are generally relaxing.  Please remember stretching should always be relaxing and never painful! To get maximum benefit from these stretches you should do them daily and hold each stretch for 15 seconds and repeat twice unless otherwise stated. Arm and Hand Stretches

    • Stand with your feet together, keeping you feet together and your knees soft.  Raise your arms alternatively swinging them over your head as if you were performing backstroke.
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    • Raise your right arm to the side, keeping at shoulder height.  Point your fingers towards the ceiling and push your palm away from your body.  Hold for 30 seconds and repeat on left side.
    • With your right hand by your side, point your fingers behind you with your palm facing up.  Push your right shoulder and wrist towards the floor, then make a fist.  Hold.  Repeat on the other side.
    • Keep your arms by your side and clench your fists as tight as you can, then spread your thumb and fingers as far apart as possible.
    • Let your arms hang loosely by your side and shake them for about 15 seconds.
     

  • What is the difference between sports and deep tissue massage?

    Deep tissue is a very descriptive name and is self-explanatory.  The confusion comes when it is compared to sports massage.  The big difference is the focus. Sports massage is dedicated to

    • improving sports performance
    • prevention of and treating sports injuries
    The reasons for booking a sports massage are:
    • You work out religiously, but aren't as relgious about stretching
    • You cycle or run to work and don't think to stretch
    • You play sports but don't cross train so have specific trouble spots
    • Your performance (in a particular sport) has dropped
    • You have a history of injuries and want to reduce the likely hood of further injuries
    Deep Tissue massage is a problem solving massage for everyone. The reasons for booking a deep tissue massage are:
    • You work at a computer all day and your neck, shoulders & back are chronically sore
    • You are so tense your back feels like concrete
    • You have tired achy legs
    • You are in pain
    • You are stiff (or are unable to move your neck/arm/leg freely)
    • You are stressed or anxious
    • You have a knot or a muscle spasm
    To book a treatment click here.  

  • Effect of a corporate chair massage program

    I recently came across a scientific study in slovenia on the impact of a corporate chair massage program.  As you can imagine, as I offer this service I was interested in the results of the study. Ninteen female volunteers who were aged between 40 - 54, were given chair massages on-site at their office twice per week for 1 month.  They were all reporting various levels of aches and pains when they were working at their desks.  The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to track and measure the aches and pains, while a goniometer was used to track and measure range of motion measurements for the neck and spine. The study showed a significant decrease for aches and pains in the neck and upper back.  In addition, it found significant increase in range of movement for cervical lateral flexion of 28.8% (moving your neck so your ear goes towards your shoulder) and cervical extension (moving your head back). This study fits with me and my teams experience that after a Seated Acupressure Neck & Shoulder massages, clients are less tense, feel looser and are able to move their neck & shoulders more freely. Reference Sisko PK, Videmsek M, Karpljuk D, 2011, The effect of a corporate chair massage program on musculoskeletal discomfort and joint range of motion in office workers.  J Altern Complement Med, 17(7):617-22