Massage questions, answered

Generally, yes. Massage is considered safe for most healthy pregnancies when a trained therapist adjusts the position and pressure and your doctor knows your plans. At Serenity Zen, prenatal massage is side-lying and bolstered, at every stage of pregnancy and after delivery.

Mild soreness, tiredness or thirst after a massage is common and usually fades within a day or two. What causes each one, and when to call a doctor.

You may need deep tissue if the same spots keep tightening, you can feel knots, or stiffness limits how you turn or bend. What it should feel like, when to skip it, and why you do not have to decide in advance.

For tension-type headaches that start in the neck, shoulders or jaw, massage may help many people. For migraine it may ease neck tension between attacks, but it does not replace care. When to see a doctor first.