What is the correct order of postpartum recovery massage

The current mainstream safe massage sequence in the field of postpartum rehabilitation is to advance from the extremities of the limbs toward the heart, then gradually transition to release around the pelvis, and finally deal with the core areas corresponding to the rectus abdominis and pelvic floor muscles. However, there are also some practical schools that will give priority to loosening periabdominal adhesions before moving to the extremities. There is a big difference between the two logical groups, and there is no absolute right or wrong.

Most mothers who have just given birth have weak qi and blood, and many of them also suffer from edema in the lower limbs and muscle soreness all over the body. If they directly massage the core of the waist and abdomen as soon as they get pregnant, it is easy for the qi and blood to suddenly move to the core, causing dizziness and panic. Last month, I treated a mother who was 20 days after a natural birth. She had been repaired at another institution before. She massaged her rectus abdominis for 20 minutes. After the massage, she sat on the sofa for more than ten minutes to recover. This was because she had not done any distal circulation dredging before, and the blood supply to the brain could not keep up.

Having said that, it does not mean that the order of touching the core first is completely undesirable. If the mother is more than two or three months postpartum, the lochia has been eliminated, the caesarean section wound has completely healed, and the mother is in good physical condition, but there is obvious hardness and adhesion around the separation of the rectus abdominis, the efficiency will be much higher if the core is released first and then the limbs are unblocked. I had a second-born mother in this situation before. After three repairs at this pace, her waistline was reduced by 4 centimeters, which was nearly twice as fast as her previous surgery in order from far to near.

No matter which order you choose, one major premise will not change - you have to wait until the lochia is basically drained. Mothers who had a cesarean section have to wait until the wound is completely grown and there is no pain when pressing it before they can touch the waist and abdomen. The intensity of the massage must also be well controlled, just like kneading a freshly steamed soft cake. It will be firm but not compressed and deformed. If the pain is so painful that you can't help but clench your fists when you press it, it must be that the intensity or position is wrong. Don't force it, and don't believe the saying that "pain means there is a severe blockage, just press it and it will be fine."

If you want to do some simple relaxing massage at home, be sure to massage your hands, feet, and calves first. Don’t just rub your stomach as soon as you start. After all, everyone’s recovery situation is different, and the order that suits others may not necessarily suit your situation. There is no harm in playing it safe.