It’s no secret that being pregnant can be uncomfortable at times — and not just on the day of baby’s birth. All of the months leading up to delivery can bring aches, pains, twinges, and jabs.

If you’re thinking about indulging in some well-deserved R&R with a pedicure or a massage, you may be wondering if an electric massage chair (the kind you sit in to get a pedicure) is safe to use while pregnant.

Just like with so many other things during pregnancy, there’s no one definitive answer — but many experts will tell you that these massage chairs are safe as long as you’re using them appropriately.

Here’s what you need to know about why using massage chairs while pregnant is sometimes controversial, what to keep in mind if you decide to go for it, and what else you can do to get relief during pregnancy.

An electric massage chair is just a chair, and you sit in those all the time while pregnant, so you might be wondering what the big deal is. Well, there are three main concerns surrounding using an electric massage chair during pregnancy:

Is there any validity to these concerns? In short, not really.

“While there have been claims that a massage chair can lead to miscarriage or premature labor, there is no evidence that that is true,” says Dr. Romy Ghosh, OB-GYN with Austin Regional Clinic. “Massage chairs used as intended are generally safe when pregnant.”

Let’s take a closer look at each potential concern:

Overall, using a massage chair appropriately doesn’t pose much risk for a pregnant person.

Using a massage chair on a low setting should be safe during pregnancy. However, always check with your doctor or birthing professional (like a midwife) if you’re unsure.

Stick to low massage settings and mild heat, especially around your lower back. For instance, pregnant people are allowed to use heating pads in isolated areas. If you feel yourself getting too warm or you feel faint, you should stop using the chair and hydrate.

If you’re worried about using an electric massage chair during your pregnancy, you can skip it at any time. Some people may find it particularly uncomfortable in the first trimester and during the last 4 weeks of pregnancy.

Additionally, you may just want to avoid the massage chair during pregnancy for other reasons, such as:

If you’re having a lot of pain, it’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional or midwife about why you want to use a massage chair.

“It would be best if you spoke to your provider about any aches and pains you’re feeling,” adds Ghosh. “Low back pain, for instance, can be a sign of preterm labor.”

If you’re having significant pain during your pregnancy, especially if it’s affecting your daily life, be sure to consult with your doctor or birthing professional.

Look, we get it: Everything hurts. Your sciatica makes it hard to walk, your pubic dysplasia is giving you lightning crotch, and it feels like your back is locked into a permanent vice.

Of course you want a massage — anyone would!

But while a massage chair might be a solution for you, there are also other pregnancy-safe ways to find relief. And again, be sure to discuss any specific aches and pains you have with a healthcare professional, just to be on the safe side.

Ghosh says regular physical activity such as walking or swimming can help relieve back pain and strengthen your back, preventing other aches and pains.

You might also want to try prenatal yoga or Pilates (just make sure you get the thumbs-up from your doctor first).

Ice packs and resting strained muscles can provide short- and long-term relief.

Putting your feet up isn’t just an expression. Elevating your feet can reduce the swelling and discomfort in your lower extremities.

You might feel uncomfortable moving a lot, but gentle stretches, slow walks, and even simply getting up from your desk or couch once an hour to move around can help relieve pregnancy discomfort.

“Try also adding prenatal stretching, such as cat pose, to stretch the back or a foam roller to stretch the hips and glutes, which may be contributing to your back pain,” suggests Ghosh.

Lower back pain during pregnancy can actually be the result of too-tight glute muscles. Try gently rolling them out or practicing hip stretches.

Pregnancy can bring new aches and pains into your life or highlight preexisting problems.

Many physical therapists are trained in working with pregnant people and some even specialize in it, so you might be able to safely realign, readjust, and recuperate with the help of a professional.

Ghosh says a referral to a physical therapist can help when at-home measures haven’t improved your symptoms.

Beyond that, you can also talk to your healthcare professional about the appropriate use of over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers during pregnancy for those days when at-home therapies just aren’t cutting it. Acetaminophen is generally considered safe to use, while ibuprofen should be avoided.

You could also incorporate acupuncture or chiropractic care into your routine, but talk with your doctor or birthing professional first. Some OB-GYNs recommend these practices, while others would prefer you avoid them.

If you aren’t comfortable trying out a massage chair or don’t have access to one, you might be wondering if you can get a traditional massage instead.

Again, the answer is basically the same: It’s probably safe, but you should check with your doctor or birthing professional.

“Massage can help reduce stress and tension, improve circulation, and improve sleep, which is good for Mom and baby,” says Ghosh. “Prenatal massages are generally safe after the first trimester, but be sure to speak to your physician first and let your massage therapist know that you’re pregnant.”

If you do get a massage, make sure it’s with a licensed massage therapist familiar with treating pregnant people.

You might also need a medical clearance letter from a healthcare professional that says you can get a massage. The therapist will also most likely have you lay on your side for the massage instead of your belly, even if you’re in your first trimester.

Before you schedule a prenatal massage, be sure you have a signed and dated letter from a healthcare professional that says it’s safe for you to get a massage.

You might also want to think about enlisting your partner for a massage as well. According to Ghosh, a side-lying massage can:

And the research backs it up. For instance, a small 2019 study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork found that 10-minute, twice weekly chair massages between partners helped reduce pregnant people’s anxiety, mood, and pain levels.

In this case, the massage chair being used is the kind that you sit in to receive a massage (you may have seen these at the mall), so they don’t pose any of the concerns that an electric massage chair does. If you have a massage chair like this at home or have access to one, talk with your doctor to see if using it may be a good way to relax and help with your discomfort.

No one knows for certain that electric massage chairs are safe during pregnancy, but there’s also no evidence that they’re not.

You can keep any heat and massage settings on low, just to be safe — but overall, a massage chair is unlikely to be a concern unless you have a high-risk or complicated pregnancy.

If you need the kind of relief that comes from a massage chair but can’t get to one, talk with a healthcare professional about a regular massage with a licensed therapist.

You can also discuss other ways to treat your pregnancy pains, such as soaking in a tub, using physical therapy, at-home remedies, and pregnancy-safe OTC pain relievers.

Last medically reviewed on August 2, 2021

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Meredith Wallis, MS, APRN, CNM, IBCLC

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