Parents, Expectant Parents, and Babies

Pregnancy Massage - gentle and nurturing this massage focuses on the needs of the mother. Massage can relieve the discomforts associated with pregnancy. It increases the mother’s awareness to her areas of tension. Massage enhances the relaxation experience, relieves nausea, increases circulation, increases flow of nutrients to placenta, aids in postural realignment, gives relief to joint discomfort, relieves minor edema by aiding venous return, opens client for a deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing.

Postpartum Massage - helps bring the body into its pre-pregnancy alignment; flushes lactic acid out of the tissue relieving sore and achy muscles; assists breastfeeding, alleviating tightness, helps with some breastfeeding difficulties; aids in the process of the uterus returning to it’s normal size; releases shoulder, neck and arm tension from the birth process; helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to help reduce fatigue; supports fluids balancing; and encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to pre-pregnant positions.

Hot Stone Massage - warms the tissues allowing for deeper contact and relaxation and can be used in conjunction with Swedish or Myofascial massage. Hot stones are wonderful in the postpartum period, but are not for pregnant moms.

Swedish Massage - promotes general relaxation, using long, gliding, flowing, rhythmic strokes, as well as, kneading, friction, and vibratory techniques.

Deep Tissue / Myofascial Massage - contacts the deeper layers of tissue. Focusing intention on individual muscles using specific, slow, deeper strokes to lengthen, spread and separate the muscle tissues. Myofascial work induces deep relaxation and reduces chronic pain and muscle tension assisting the body in reestablishing / learning patterns that create ease of movement.

Additional techniques  - trigger point, deep tissue sculpting, joint mobilizations, breath reeducation, and others. 

WHAT DOES RESEARCH SAY ABOUT PREGNANCY MASSAGE?

Women who received regular massage had decreased anxiety and stress hormones during pregnancy and fewer obstetric and postnatal complications, including lower prematurity rates. Touch Research Institute, Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I COME FOR MASSAGE THERAPY TREATMENT DURING PREGNANCY?

During pregnancy it is suggested that you schedule prenatal massage at the same frequency as your prenatal visits with your health care provider.  Receiving massage monthly in the early months, twice per week around 30 weeks and weekly for the last month of your pregnancy.  Please see discounts and packages for assistance with making this more affordable for you and your family.

WHEN DO YOU RECOMMEND THAT I START POSTPARTUM MASSAGE?

For a normal spontaneous vaginal delivery you can start postpartum massage as soon after birth as you feel comfortable. I recommend that you have the massage in the early days to weeks at your home and that you arrange for your partner or someone else to look after your baby during the massage.  If baby needs you during the massage baby can easily be brought to you and nursed while your massage session is going on. 

After a cesarean it is recommended to wait for your 6 weeks release from your health care provider before doing massage.

WHAT ARE YOUR GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FREQUENCY OF MASSAGE?

Generally if experiencing an acute problem schedule several visits close together (1-2 times per week) for the first few treatments.  After that decrease frequency as the problem improves.

If you live a very active lifestyle with moderate to high levels of stress and considerable aches, pains, and tension; then weekly or bi-weekly massage is suggested.

If you live a less active lifestyle and deal with minimal stress and want the benefit of wellness and relaxation, bi-weekly to monthly visits or as often as you are able, is recommended.

The tension and pain that has accumulated over a lifetime generally will not be "cured" in one session. Massage therapy is most effective when consistently received.

WHAT TYPE OF PAYMENTS DO YOU ACCEPT?
You are welcome to pay with cash, or a personal check.