Should a full body massage include feet?

[Viralsunflower]

I went for a full body pregnancy massage today (3rd trimester) which I've had booked for a while. I specified in between my shoulder blades, knees, calves, ankles and feet as current problem areas.

I'd say 30 mins of the massage was spent on my back, a small portion of each leg, then my arms were done. My ankles and feet weren't touched. I did make sure they were clean and free of dry skin!
This isn't a cheap place and is somewhere I have been before, and I've always thought the massages have been brilliant. I didn't say anything at the time but wondering if I should have done as I currently looking up places that might be able to fit me in this week for a leg and foot massage...

Are my expectations out as to what that should have included? I have had regular pregnancy massages with a friend in a previous pregnancy (who is qualified), today's was in a spa so I don't know if it's different but it was a lot of money so I'm disappointed.

Normally a full body massage would include feet, time depending. I am assuming this was an hour long massage.
It could be that because you are in 3rd trimester and there are certain reflexology points that 'supposedly' induce labour, then perhaps the therapist may not have included a foot massage.

If you actually specified ankles and feet as problem areas then I’d have expected either the therapist to include them as attention areas, or say that the body massage doesn’t really include much feet work and suggest a shorter body massage and a separate foot massage.

Most of the full body massages I’ve had have included some brief thumb pressure on soles of feet, that weird toe-pulling thing and manipulation of ankles, but I wouldn’t say I’ve ever had a massage therapist pay particularly great attention to it.

Massaging around the ankles can induce labour so that must be why they avoided them. But I don’t see an issue with massaging the rest of the foot. I’ve done pedicures on pregnant women before and massaged their feet. It may be worth emailing them to ask as I can imagine they was disappointing.

Yes it was an hour. I'm not on top of my due date and still able to book pedicures which would be off limits if there were worries about foot massages though?

Yes feet always included even when having pregnancy massages though I always had those lying on my side. I always found spa massages a disappointment unfortunately

Yes I'd have been more than happy to pay for an extra 15 mins if it meant that they tagged a foot massage on to the end!

YABU - massage therapists all have their own routines that don't always include feet. It's on you to bring it up if you want them included. Even during the massage. They often cut a few minutes off each massage to get a break/catch up on time, so if you draw their attention to some particular bug bear it also helps you get your full paid time.

That’s exactly what I was thinking.

Maybe the therapist does not have a qualification covering pregnancy reflexology or their insurance doesn't cover them offering foot massage during pregnancy?

YABU - massage therapists all have their own routines that don't always include feet. It's on you to bring it up if you want them included. Even during the massage.

If you read my post, I did bring it up?

Maybe the therapist does not have a qualification covering pregnancy reflexology or their insurance doesn't cover them offering foot massage during pregnancy?

There were 10 therapists there today so one of them should be fully covered for all elements of pregnancy massage, if they're completing that service, surely?

There were 10 therapists there today so one of them should be fully covered for all elements of pregnancy massage, if they're completing that service, surely?

It depends....some therapists do an extra qualification in pregnancy massage and come don't. All therapists cover different specialities and would need insurance to cover the treatments they do.

Sorry, this is kind of an industry that I work in (as in the qualifications themselves) but pregnancy massage is more of a speciality treatment and not usually covered as part of the core Massage diplomas we have regulated in the UK.

Sorry to quote myself....but I can't think if a qualification for pregnancy massage that would go in depth of treatment on the feet as there are pregnancy reflexology courses out there.
Hope this has helped a little!

Maybe if you have another massage before having the baby, you could ask for a therapist who may be able to work on your feet x

I would ring the place and enquire if it should have included feet. The therapist will have been trained to a routine and what it includes should be clear. I've never known a basic foot massage to be contraindicated in pregnancy.

What did they say at the end when you queried it?

What did they say at the end when you queried it?

As mentioned in my OP, I didn't query it.

i am a massage therapist, In a normal full body then yes. But with you being pregnant only a slight amount of pressure is allowed, we can’t touch feet or stomach, and also you can only use nourishing oil no other oils can be used. It’s something to do with stimulation that could affect the baby, I’m not sure exactly what but I remember this being a rule. And I worked at a top end spa, not a cheap place so don’t feel robbed of a good massage it’s just with you being pregnant.

there is no point in your foot that induces labour. if you are in advanced pregnancy, I would be more concerned about lying on your tummy or too much pressure on the back. feet should 100% be included especially as you requested it! I have regular massages once a week and never had someone not do the feet!

When I was pregnant they stayed away from feet and ankles because of the possibility of triggering labor. It's a small risk, but I'm assuming they aren't allowed to do it.

I sometimes have my feet done and sometimes don’t (same lady) I think it depends on time as she does them last so if she’s spent longer on my back etc. then she won’t have time for feet.