Can Fertility Massage help you get pregnant ??

As we sit at the one year mark of the arrival of Covid, I am back to writing blog posts, having been away from it for a while.  Not feeling especially motivated to write while the world was shuttered and a sense of gloom sort of permeating. 

Now after a year and as the world slowly re emerges to perhaps a new normal, I was inspired to write about this topic mainly because as clients start to return, I have seen and had a number of requests in a row from clients looking to massage as they experience fertility challenges. 

Infertility is on the rise.  Especially in the US.  According to one article which cites numerous statistics, infertility in the US is increasing by up to 10% per year.  Its an alarming statistic. Infertility is about as common in men as it is women, about 10%. Although infertility in men is on the rise.

Infertility and infertility complications, like miscarriages, can negatively affect a person’s overall health and quality of life. Many couples who want to start a family and are unable to conceive will experience psychological and interpersonal distress that could negatively impact their quality of life.  

• Infertility is one of the primary reasons for divorce among couples. (International Journal of Reproductive Biomedicine, 2020)
• Up to 60% of infertile individuals reported psychiatric symptoms with significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression than fertile individuals. (Clinical Therapeutics, 2014)
• Nearly 41% of infertile women have depression. (BMC Women’s Health, 2004)
• Almost 87% of infertile women have anxiety. (BMC Women’s Health, 2004)
• Women who get pregnant via IVF have a higher chance of giving birth prematurely. (Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2017)
  
  
  Sometimes it is difficult, even with testing to determine exactly where the issue is - and that is where massage comes in. There is no question that stress and anxiety can play a role and it is a self fulfilling prophecy; the pressure to conceive creates its own stress which can complicate matters, and it ends up being a vicious  circle.  Being fully relaxed and free from stress can increase the odds of success. 
  
  The good news is that only 10% of infertility issues are thought to be incurable - so what does that mean? Potential for success for 90 % of couples !
  
  I won't delve into the details of of the hows and whens of trying, because I have no training or insight into this - but rather turn back to what I know, which is the benefits of massage.
  
  
• It increases blood flow
  
• works on the parasympathetic nervous system
  
• relaxes muscles
  
• quiets the mind
  
• decreases levels of cortisol (also known as the stress hormone)
  
• increases serotonin and dopamine, which are thought to contribute to well-being and improved mood.
  
  Can massage help you get pregnant? Probably not in the sense of a cure. There is no science to support the idea that massage can cure infertility, but in speaking of the 90%, can it help you to relax which in turn may make your body more receptive? Yes without question. 
  
  Do you have a success story or something to add? Please feel free to leave it in the comments - I would love to hear from you.
  

Is it safe to get a massage during Covid? Yes. Let me start with the answer and work backwards, in case you don't like to read alot :)

I have been wanting to write this post for a while. The pandemic has been extremely hard on Massage Therapy. When Covid restrictions hit, we all shut down, for me it was from March 2020 until about September/October of 2020, and even when returning, I only saw one client per day; no couples massage etc.  We were all scared and unertain. After all, even more so than restaurants, a massage takes place in a small confined spaced. We are in a room for an hour or more, what could sound more dangerous?

And the irony is that because of Covid isolation, massage, human contact and touch was needed more than ever.  So what to make of things?  Well fast forward one year, and this is what we know:  People are hyper aware of Covid vs in the beginning when no one  knew anything. People are masking. People are sanitizing. People are in general avoiding large crowds of strangers. People are getting vaccinated by the millions. The most vulnerable and the super spreaders sadly have passed away in large numbers.  I myself lost a cousin in the first few weeks and it was beyond horrible.  In short the world is adjusting to a new normal. 

I don't envision a day when the government or scientists will issue an "all clear" or "its over" type of announcement. I envision more that we will roll into a period where masks are "recommended."  In Japan, a densely populated country, citizens have been wearing masks  long before Covid.

So what is it that makes massage so safe? Nothing really. It is a calculated risk. But the empirical evidence over the past 6 months suggest it is no more dangerous than not getting a massage.  And there are huge benefits....to your immune system, to your mind, to your sense of well being.  There is no statistical evidence to suggest massage contact poses any greater danger than any other activity outside the home. It is a numbers game and a measured risk. I cannot recommend that you go get a massage but I can say that more than ever I think it is needed and if you feel like you could benefit, then I would consider making an appointment and simply enjoying the experience.

In my own practice as I said, I am vaccinated, I see half the number of clients I used to see to spread out the space in between. We perform extra sanitation measures. We are masked when you come in and leave.  Masking while on the table I have found to be largely unnecessary so it is your personal choice.  I do wear a mask.

Covid has robbed us of much of the rhythms and simple pleasures of daily life.  Covid is here like an unwelcome relative its not going anywhere.  Everyone is doing their  best and it is time, I believe to start to return to activities like massage.  Of course things could change; a new strain, or different outbreaks, in which case the world may have to hunker down again. Until then, please consider returning to your favorite massage therapist if you have been thinking about it.  Ask questions of their practices, feel safe and enjoy being human again.

This is one therapists opinion. I am not a scientist nor am I giving medical advice, It is simply my personal opinion.