Pregnancy Massage
An expectant mother experiences significant physiological, structural, psychological and emotional changes. During this time of great transition, pre-natal massage offers an opportunity for support and relaxation that can be difficult to find with other treatment methods.
Who can benefit?
Pre-natal massage can benefit you as an expectant mother if you want to minimize the effects of the physiological and structural changes pregnancy brings, experience less discomfort throughout your pregnancy, and set aside time for yourself to relax, particularly when sleep is not what it used to be.
What is a Pre-natal Massage?
During your one-hour massage session (60-minutes), certified massage therapist Kari Schroeder will focus on the areas of your body that need the most attention. Each treatment is tailored to your needs and goals, whether to relieve pain, relax, or maintain and strengthen your wellness as an expectant mother or mother of a new baby.
After the first 22 weeks of pregnancy, lying flat on your back can cause pressure on deep blood vessels and reduce circulation to you and your baby. As a result the massage is given with you lying on your side with pillows supporting your belly and leg. Your privacy is respected throughout the session by careful draping of the massage sheets.
How can Pre-natal Massage help?
The Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine found several benefits resulted from massage during pregnancy. These were published in the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology (March 1999).
The benefits of massage are that it:
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Reduces stress and promotes relaxation, including better sleep patterns. This typically results in reduced levels of stress-hormones that at elevated levels can reduce wellness.
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Relieves cramping, backache, headache, carpal tunnel and muscle tension.
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Reduces edema and blood pressure, relieves varicose veins, and increases blood and lymph circulation.
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Supports the physiological and emotional needs that naturally arise during pregnancy.
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Contributes to developing awareness and flexibility for the physical demands delivery places on your body, such as the need for muscle and joint flexibility so you can better participate in the birth process.
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Enhances newborn health through fewer complications in labor, fewer postnatal complications and a lower rate of premature birth.
Post-natal Massage
Who can benefit?
Post-natal massage will benefit you if want to minimize the effects of delivery, mitigate postural habits adopted during pregnancy with the weight of your unborn child, release muscle tension through new postural habits such as breastfeeding and caring for your baby, and set aside time for yourself to relax, particularly when sleep is interrupted with feeding scheduling. If you are experiencing these you can greatly benefit from post-natal massage.
What is a Post-natal Massage?
Post-natal massage is safe to begin as soon after birth as you desire, if no complications have occurred. In the weeks and months after giving birth, your body has a lot of work to do to return to its pre-pregnant state, to feed and care for your baby, and to keep you well.
Massage soon after delivery can aid recovery by increasing your circulation and cleansing toxins like lactic acid from your muscles. For women with specific concerns or C-section recoveries we recommend your doctor's approval before massage, and you are welcome to involve us as well in this discussion with your doctor.
How can Post-natal Massage help?
Massage after pregnancy
• Alleviates the muscle strain and fatigue of labor and birth.
• Rebalances the pelvic and spinal structures.
• Restores normal walking patterns.
• Prevents and reduces back and neck pain caused by caring for your newborn.
• Relieves neck and back strain caused by holding your baby and nursing for many hours of your day (and night!).
• Decreases post-natal depression.
• Contributes to recovery from cesarean birth, including healing of the scar.
• Promotes rehabilitation of abdominal skin, muscles and organs.