Foot Massage In Pregnancy: Is It Safe, Benefits And Risks

Image: Shutterstock

Foot massage during pregnancy may be relaxing and is believed to be beneficial for mothers experiencing swollen feet, a common side effect of pregnancy. In addition, massages may also have emotional benefits such as reducing anxiety, easing symptoms of depression, relieving pregnancy aches and pains, and improving delivery and neonatalⁱThe first 28 days or the first month of a newborn’s life health outcomes (1).

A gentle foot massage may help comfort a woman experiencing physical, physiological, and emotional changes during pregnancy. Read on to learn more about the benefits and safety measures to be taken while indulging in a foot massage during pregnancy.

Can You Get A Foot Massage When Pregnant?

Getting a foot massage helps reduce the physiological edema in the lower leg (foot swelling), which is one of the common pregnancy discomforts, especially in the third trimester. A foot massage is also helpful in relieving anxiety and depression, other pregnancy-related pains, and overall maternal health. Another type of foot massage is reflexology, which involves applying pressure to specific parts of the feet and can reduce low back or pelvic pain during pregnancy (2) (4).

Although foot massage is safe during pregnancy, make sure your therapist is cautious about the pressure points near your ankles as they can cause uterus contractions (3). Any massage should be avoided during the first trimester (4).

Foot massages should also be avoided if there are reddish, puffy, or warmer spots on the lower extremities. Pregnant women who have developed blood clots, hold a history of blood clots, or are toxemicⁱWomen with the condition that is caused by bacteria and their toxic by-products in the blood. should also avoid a foot massage and check with their doctor before planning one (5).

What Are The Benefits Of Foot Massage During Pregnancy?

Some possible foot massage benefits that can also help maintain overall pregnancy wellness include:

1. Reduces depression and anxiety: During pregnancy, massage therapy, including foot massage, has been shown to reduce depression-related hormones, including cortisol and  norepinephrineⁱA chemical produced by sympathetic nerves, responsible for the increase in the pace of cardiac and skeletal muscle contraction. , which help in muscle tension and stress relief and increase the release of feel-good hormones, including dopamine and serotonin. Therefore, this will show a decrease in depression, anxiety, and mood swings in pregnant women (6).

2. Alleviates edema: A study found that giving pregnant women a 20-minute foot massage every day (10-minute foot massage for each foot) for five days reduced normal physiological edema of the lower leg in late pregnancy (2).

3. Reduces back and pelvic pain: Foot massages in addition to reflexology can decrease low back pain and pelvic pain during pregnancy (7).

4. Improves sleep quality: A foot massage and reflexology have been observed to improve sleep quality (7).

5. Improves labor outcomes: In a study, mild massage followed by foot reflexology is likely to reduce the pain intensity and duration of first, second, and third stages of labor (8).

The pain levels among patients in labor who received foot reflexology decreased significantly after 20 minutes of intervention. It remained constant even after 40 minutes post-intervention, in contrast to the control group.

Labor pain score before and after foot reflexology therapy

Research finds

A randomized controlled study found that “a classic foot massage for 20 minutes on each foot at three different times, for a total of 60 minutes, could help manage labor pain effectively (20).”

6. Benefits for baby: Studies have also shown the association of fewer premature births and low-birth-weight newborns to women who received massage therapy during pregnancy and labor pain (9). However, pressure on certain points of feet can cause uterus contraction, thus, inducing preterm labor; therefore, extra caution is necessary (3).

7. Postpartum benefits: Foot massage has also been useful in reducing pain and anxiety, improving comfort, and reducing the use of medicine during the postpartum period (10).

Did you know?

Foot massage can stimulate lymphatic drainageⁱFlow of lymphatic fluid from tissues into a particular lymph node. and help prevent varicose veinsⁱTwisted, swollen, dilated, and overfilled blood vessels that form beneath the skin, mainly in the legs. (17).

How To Give A Foot Massage During Pregnancy?

In a low-risk pregnancy, your partner, friend, or companion can give you a relaxing foot massage; however, it is better to consult your gynecologist beforehand in high-risk pregnancy. Also, referring to a qualified professional or a podiatrist is beneficial and safe in high-risk pregnancies.

Each massage intervention consists of 15-minute to 45-minute therapeutic foot massage sessions daily. Some effective foot massage techniques that helps make a foot massage safe, smooth, and relaxing are (11)(12):

• Lower leg strokes: Start by relaxing the ankle by placing one hand on top of the foot and the other beneath the heel. Then, softly glide the top hand up and other down the lower leg.

Image: Intermountain Healthcare

• Bottom-of-foot thumb stroke: Flex and stroke the foot with your thumbs or fingers in a gentle stretching motion from the toes to the back of the foot.

Image: Intermountain Healthcare

• Top-of-foot thumb stroke: Using your thumbs, stroke the top of the foot in a gently “stretching” motion.

Image: Intermountain Healthcare

• Toe stretch: Gently grasp each toe between the thumb and first finger, gently tugging and rubbing between the toes.

Hold the toes with one hand while supporting the foot with the other, and slowly bend the toes backward and forward for optimum relaxation.

What Are The Risks Of Foot Massage During Pregnancy?

According to the American Pregnancy Association, massaging can begin at any trimester during pregnancy. However, there are certain risks of foot massage that can have detrimental effects on maternal health (13):

• First trimester: There is a higher risk of miscarriage during the first trimester, and increased blood flow from a massage can be detrimental. Many prenatal massage therapists suggest not to go for a massage until the second trimester.

• Induction of labor: Certain pressure points in the foot can cause uterus contraction and induce labor, leading to premature birth. Therefore, it is suggested to consult a gynecologist before initiating massage therapy.

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT): The estimations put forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that each year about 900,000 individuals may potentially be affected by deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the United States. Pregnant women have a higher risk of thromboembolismⁱThe blockage of an artery by a blood clot fragment that got dislodged from some other site in the circulatory system due to their physiologic hypercoagulabilityⁱAn increased tendency to develop blood clots. . If a pregnant woman has an undiscovered or subtle DVT, a foot or leg massage can release thrombi, resulting in pulmonary embolismⁱA condition where a blood clot blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. , which could be fatal (14).

• Certain medical conditions: Pregnant women with high blood pressure, high-risk pregnancy complications (such as preeclampsiaⁱA condition characterized by the onset of high blood pressure, protein in the urine, and water retention during pregnancy. ), recent surgery or injury, etc., should consult their doctors before getting a foot massage. This is because massage stimulates the circulatory system, which can change blood flow in the body, affecting these conditions.

What Areas Should You Avoid During Foot Massage In Pregnancy?

While performing a foot massage during pregnancy, certain acupressure points on foot can induce labor and should be avoided. These areas to be excluded for acupuncture during pregnancy are (15):

• Spleen 6 (SP-6) acupressure point: Also known as the “Sanyinjiao” point, the SP-6 acupressure point is located three fingers above the inner ankle (medial malleolus) and can induce uterine contraction. (16). 

Image: Shutterstock

• Urinary bladder 60: Also known as “BL60 Kunlun”, this area is located in a depression between the tip of the lateral malleolus and the Achilles tendon. It is contraindicated during pregnancy since it can cause labor.

Image: Shutterstock

• Urinary bladder 67: Also known as “BL67 Zhiyin”, this area is located on the lateral side of the small toe, 0.1 cm posterior to the corner of the nail. It can cause contraction during the prenatal massage, but it is useful to position the fetus for delivery during labor massage.

Image: Shutterstock

What Are The Tips For A Safe Foot Massage During Pregnancy?

Here are some tips for an effective foot massage during pregnancy:

• Make sure you are in a relaxed sitting position. Dim the lights and play soothing music to create a calming atmosphere.

• Use lotions or some warm massage oil for a frictionless glide over the feet (12).

• Keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water or fluids before and after the massage (13).

• In addition to the foot massage, try to keep your feet elevated as much as possible, get enough rest, wear comfortable shoes, and eat healthily (17).

Some other relaxation techniques you could try to alleviate foot pain and promote self-care include warm water soak, foot exercise, and aromatherapy.

Infographic: Methods That Work As Good As A Massage To Cope With Swollen Feet

Massage may not always be suitable for relaxing your feet or coping with swollen feet during pregnancy. In such cases, alternative methods that do not require another person’s help yet provide comfort may come in handy. Go through the infographic below to have an idea about such procedures.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Relax and enjoy the benefits of a relaxing foot massage while pregnant. Learn everything you need to know to truly embrace and enjoy this unique era.

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Dr. Annal VaidyaMS

Dr. Annal Vaidya is a former assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the prestigious Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai. He has three years of experience and currently works as a consultant in various hospitals in the city.

Read full bio of Dr. Annal Vaidya

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  Sally HayesCMT Sally Hayes is trained in clinical sports massage, fertility massage and Yoga. She manages her private practice Women in Self Healing in Beverly Hills, California. Sally specializes in therapeutic massage and pregnancy and postpartum massage.
  
  Sally Hayes is trained in clinical sports massage, fertility massage and Yoga. She manages her private practice Women in Self Healing in Beverly Hills, California. Sally specializes in therapeutic massage and pregnancy and postpartum massage.

Reshmi DasMSc

Reshmi Das has over four years of experience as a clinical coordinator, medical content writer and medical conference coordinator. Her continuous interest in medical journals and writing makes her write well-researched articles for MomJunction.

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Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU).

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Aneesha AmonzMSc

Aneesha holds a Bachelor's degree in Biotechnology from USTM, Meghalaya and Master’s degree in Applied Microbiology from VIT, Vellore. With two years of experience, she has worked on different research projects in the field of Food Sciences.

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