The First Trimester: Nurturing Your Body in the First 12 Weeks of Pregnancy. How receiving bodywork can help
You’ve just found out the big news, many emotions are arising. Awestruck, joy, and maybe even worry. Your body is doing something truly extraordinary, and while there’s plenty of excitement, it also comes with rapid changes, a variety of symptoms, and probably many questions. One of the most common ones we hear is: Is it safe to get a massage in the first trimester? Let’s explore that—and other things you and your body are navigating right now—with support and facts.
So can you get a massage in the first trimester?
One of the most persistent myths in early pregnancy is that massage during the first trimester is dangerous. The truth? When done by a trained prenatal therapist who understands the unique needs of pregnant bodies, massage is safe and supportive from the very beginning.
At Luna, our practitioners are educated in first-trimester precautions and can adjust each session to your specific symptoms and comfort level. We avoid particular pressure points, deep work, we encourage grounding and awareness with how your body is feeling. You are going through massive internal changes, so targeting your nervous system, working on reducing shoulder and neck tension, and combating fatigue, so you can sleep better. These are absolutely positive ways a bodywork session can be helpful in the first few months. Wutg high-risk pregnancies and those who have a history of blood clots or thrombus, precaution is still needed, but there are many things that we can do to find relief with common ailments that come along with this stage of pregnancy. You deserve care at every stage, not just after the bump shows.
Before Your First Appointment
While massage, acupuncture, and chiropractic care are all safe and supportive in the first trimester, a few things are helpful to know:
Always disclose your pregnancy—even in early weeks—so we can adapt treatment appropriately. Let us know if this is your first pregnancy or if you have experienced loss in the past.
Acupuncture points and techniques are adjusted during pregnancy to avoid areas that are contraindicated.
Chiropractic care, especially when combined with the Webster Technique, is gentle and focuses on pelvic balance. Chiropractors should never force anything you’re unsure about, and if you'd like to speak with or meet with ours before, we offer free consultations so you can feel more at ease. There is more to it than spinal adjustments.
Hydrate well before and after sessions—your circulatory and lymphatic systems are working overtime right now!
What’s Happening in Your Body (Even If No One Can Tell Yet)
Internally, your body is in full transformation mode. In the first 12 weeks:
Your body is producing more blood to support the placenta and your growing baby.
Hormones like progesterone and relaxin surge, softening ligaments and affecting your joints.
The uterus begins to rise and tilt, subtly shifting your posture and pelvis. (Yes, already!)
Fatigue, nausea, bloating, and breast tenderness can start very early on.
Even though there is no visible bump yet, your body is working so hard. Because these changes are already happening, receiving care early on shouldn’t be seen as unnecessary; it’s setting yourself up for a better chance at an enjoyable pregnancy.
Common Symptoms & How Bodywork Can Help
Since the early days often bring a mix of physical and emotional symptoms. Here’s how our services can support you:
Nausea & Fatigue: Acupuncture can help regulate the nervous system and ease morning sickness. It also supports better sleep and energy flow.
Headaches & Breast Tenderness: Massage and acupuncture reduce muscle tension and improve circulation—both of which can ease these symptoms.
Mood Swings: Shifting hormones affect serotonin and dopamine. Gentle bodywork helps the body self-regulate, boosting feelings of calm and connection.
Postural Shifts & Ligament Discomfort: Chiropractic adjustments help maintain pelvic alignment, reducing discomfort now and preventing issues later.
Thinking About The Long Game: Why Chiropractic Care Early On Matters
One of the most valuable investments you can make in early pregnancy is establishing a relationship with a prenatal chiropractor. Even in the first trimester, your pelvic alignment begins to shift. If imbalances are present and left unaddressed, they can lead to:
Lower back and hip pain in later trimesters
Increased tension on the uterus and surrounding ligaments
Less optimal fetal positioning
Gentle chiropractic adjustments can ease pressure, offer support for your rapidly changing spine, and help prepare your body for a smoother labor and birth. Think of it as laying the foundation for your entire pregnancy and recovery.
Plus getting to know someone earlier in your pregnancy can help establish a relationship with someone who is more familiar with all the changes as they happen, vs. you’re in pain and looking for fast relief from someone you don’t know as well.
You Deserve Care From the Very Beginning
The first trimester is a time of creation and transformation—both seen and unseen. Why wait for a big belly or third-trimester aches to seek support. You are already doing so much, and your body deserves to be nurtured now.
Whether you’re navigating nausea, fatigue, or simply want to feel held in this new chapter, we’re here to support you with gentle and informed care.
Ready to start this journey?
Book your first prenatal session—massage, acupuncture, or chiropractic—at Luna today.