Dr. Marjorie Greenfield
Specializing in pregnancy and birth.
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 Ask Dr. Greenfield
Head Massage during Pregnancy | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Greenfield,
Is it OK to have Indian head massage during pregnancy? The process is a lot like regular massage, uses only plain oil, and is done while I'm sitting down. The massage therapist has concerns due to stimulation of the scalp (a little like reflexology, but on your head). I am 18 weeks pregnant and am suffering with headaches, which have been investigated--nothing sinister--and feel this could help. Thanks.— Lucie in England | | | ANSWER |
November 13, 2001 | | | Dear Lucie,
Some women just seem to get headaches in pregnancy, without a clear-cut cause. As you know, headaches in pregnancy can be a sign of some serious conditions. Headache associated with high blood pressure, headache with a disturbance of vision or other neurological symptoms, or severe head pain that doesn't respond to acetaminophen (Tylenol) requires medical evaluation. I am glad that your headaches have been investigated and shown not to be "sinister."
Since it sounds like you are suffering, even though nothing serious was found, I think I have some good news for you. There are no known complications of head massage in pregnancy, and since it avoids the ingestion of medications, it is probably preferable to other treatments for benign headaches. So go ahead and try it--and let us know if it helps!— by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. |
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