Below, we’ll walk you through some general guidelines to help you navigate what’s best for your body and your recovery.
Here are a few key safety considerations for postpartum massage:
1. Talk to Your Birth Team
Always start by checking in with your birth provider—OB, midwife, or doula. They’ll offer insight into what kind of bodywork is safe based on your birth and current health.
Your care team has your best interests at heart and can help guide you toward the right kind of postpartum support.
2. Adapt your session if you’re <6 weeks post vaginal birth
Most providers recommend avoiding lying face-down early on, especially if you have stitches or perineal tenderness. That doesn’t mean you can’t receive bodywork—it just means we’ll adapt the session to keep you comfortable and safe.
Gentle, side-lying or face-up modalities are ideal. Some great options include:
Swedish Massage (gentle pressure)
- Acupressure
- Lymphatic Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Acupuncture
We know you’re eager to lie face down again—we get it. But trust that even these softer approaches can offer deep relief and support your healing in powerful ways.
3. Had a Cesarean Birth? Wait a bit.
A C-section is major surgery, and the recovery timeline may look a bit different. Again, always check in with your provider before booking a session.
Here are a few general guidelines:
- Most healthcare teams recommend waiting 4–8 weeks post-surgery before receiving massage
- If you’re cleared for light touch or gentle therapy, bodywork can still be beneficial even within the 6-week window—as long as it’s done in a safe, supported position (typically face-up)
Recommended options:
- Acupressure
- Lymphatic Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy
Once your incision has healed and you’ve gotten the green light, you can explore deeper or more targeted modalities.
4. Are you >6 weeks post-birth & cleared by your provider. Green light!
If you’re 6+ weeks postpartum and feeling good—great! You’re welcome to book any type of massage or bodywork that feels supportive.
Whether you’re ready for deeper tissue work or just need a moment to rest and reconnect, we’re here for it.
Why Postpartum Bodywork Matters
Whether you come in two weeks or twelve months after giving birth, postpartum massage is about more than relaxation. It’s part of your healing journey.
Here are just a few of the benefits:
1. Reconnect with Your Body
After months of growing a baby—and now caring for one—it’s easy to feel disconnected from your own body. Massage can be a powerful way to ground, breathe, and return to yourself.
2. Relieve Pain and Tension
Pregnancy and birth take a physical toll. From sore shoulders to tired hips and everything in between, bodywork can offer much-needed relief and help your body find balance again.
3. Support Circulation and Healing
Postpartum swelling is common. If your provider has ruled out medical concerns, massage can help boost circulation and support your body’s natural healing process.
Lymphatic Massage in particular helps encourage the movement of excess fluids, supports immune function, and promotes overall wellness.
Questions? We’re Here.
If you’re unsure about what type of session is right for you or when to start, we’re happy to help.
Check out all the massage specialties we offer here.
Or reach out to our Wellness Team Lead, Gretchen Pearson, at gretchen@blooma.com. She’ll connect with you—and, if needed, your provider—to help you safely receive the care your body deserves.
-Gretchen Pearson,
Massage & Bodywork Team Lead
Blooma
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