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Pregnancy Massage for women in their second & third trimesters
Pregnancy massage for women in their second & third trimesters
I do not massage women during their first trimester of pregnancy as this is the most delicate time of development.
After the 13th week of pregnancy I encourage you to care for yourself with a prenatal massage.
If your doctor has indicated that you have a high-risk pregnancy please obtain written approval to receive massage therapy before scheduling your appointment
Limited to safe and affective enhancements
Focused massage therapy will rejuvenate the muscles of the arms and hand to improve grip, restore range of motion, and relieve any discomfort.
Deeply relaxing, sure to melt away the stress of the day. Bring your mind and body into balance with a scalp massage.
Massage for specialized areas of the foot that correspond to various zones throughout the body.
Not suited for people experiencing any of the following:
Recent vaginal bleeding
Severe hypertension
Placenta previa
History of premature labor
Pregnancy can enhance your sensitivity to scent so all oils are diluted by 50% (or more) to reduce the risk of nausea. A limited selection of essential oils will be available to maintain the health and safety of both mother and child.
The goals of a prenatal massage are essentially the same as other forms of massage therapy: to help you relax, de-stress, and address areas of the body that commonly store excess tension or pain such as the neck, back, and hips. However, a prenatal massage goes above and beyond the standard level of care to ensure the health and safety of both mother and child. This includes adjustments to the position of your body during the massage, the type of massage stokes and techniques that are used, and the amount and duration of pressure applied during the massage.
Pregnant women have a distinct list of aches and pains associated with their ever changing bodies. These can include low-back and hip pain or tension due to the increasing weight they are carrying in front, digestive and breathing issues due to the crowding of organs in the abdominal cavity, and upper back issues due to, yes, among other factors, ever increasing breast size. The way your body works and moves when you are pregnant is quite different from its regular state and I take all of these factors into considerations when creating your individualized Prenatal Massage Therapy session.
Before each Prenatal Massage session I set aside additional time to discuss your unique concerns and goals. Some of the topics we will discuss include:
· How far along are you / what week of pregnancy are you currently in?
· Do you have any health concerns, have you been cleared by your doctor to receive Prenatal Massage Therapy?
· What areas of the body would you like to focus on, are there any areas of the body you wish to avoid?
· When you leave here today how would you like to feel? For example:
* Relaxed and ready for rest.
* Reinvigorated and ready for the day.
* Possibly a little sore from getting rid of deep rooted tension.
As always, you will have privacy to undress to your comfort level and potion yourself on the massage table.
During the massage session you I make a few changes from the traditional massage positioning. After the first trimester we no longer work in the prone or face down position, to avoid putting unneeded pressure on the abdomen and stress on the uterine ligaments. Also, during pregnancy, and depending upon what week you are in, we will work briefly with you lying on your back and shifted to the left side, or later in pregnancy in a semi-reclined position. This is to avoid compression of the vena cava which can cause low maternal blood pressure and decreased circulation to mother and baby. As always, if there are special concerns or unique instructions from your doctor we factor those in as well. A large part of your massage will be done in the side lying position, propped with many soft pillows for maximum safety and comfort.
There are also areas on a pregnant woman where we avoid applying deep or pointed pressure. These areas include the abdomen, insides of the legs and certain reflexive or shiatsu points which are used to promote uterine contraction.
You will have privacy again at the end of the massage to redress. There will be a complimentary bottle of water for you after your session is over to rehydrate. And when you are ready for me to re-enter the room we can discuss the findings of the massage session and reserve your next appointment.
· Soothe and ease sore muscles throughout the whole body including common areas that store stress and tension including the neck, back and hips.
· Alleviate stress on the weight bearing joints of the hips, pelvis, knees, and ankles supporting the changes naturally occurring during pregnancy and preparing their body for delivery.
· Ease pressure and pain to the nervous system, including the sciatic nerve.
· Release intercostal muscles and restrictions to the rib cage allowing for fuller deeper breaths. During pregnancy oxygen consumption increases resulting in a 30 – 40% increase in the amount of air that must be inhaled.
· Assists the circulatory and lymphatic systems by promoting the movement of blood and lymph, which assists the heart and can reduce swelling. Circulatory strokes also assist with movement of hormones in the body such as progesterone, relaxin, and oxytocin.
· Foot reflexology can be utilized to ease the stress on the digestive system helping to relieve constipation, nausea, and heartburn.
· Reassurance, nurturing, and relaxation for the mother during pregnancy have shown to have far-reaching impact on her fetus. Studies indicate that a baby will sense and respond to their mother’s stress levels as registered by her increased heartbeat