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"To be a mother is to take on one of the most emotionally and intellectually demanding, exasperating, strenuous, anxiety-arousing, and deeply satisfying tasks that any human being can undertake." - Sheila Kitzinger, Ourselves as Mothers. Most often pregnant women seek massage therapy for the muscular aches and pains associated with their changing bodies. Pregnancy massage is great for relieving stress, pain, sinus congestion, round ligament pain, intercostal (ribs) restriction, lower back pain and edema for soon-to-be moms. I use a table with pillows to position my clients into the semi-recline position, where we can best work on shoulders, neck, arms and legs. This is also one of the most common labor positions and is good to get comfortable with. Then we were taught to safely help our client onto each side, and I spend much of the session on the back and lower back. You will be covered with a sheet at all times, the only areas exposed will be the areas that I work on. Your modesty is very important Issues addressed: headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, lower back and/or sciatic pain, round ligament pain, leg pain/cramps and footaches. I require that a client experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, then I request a written ok from her physician, OB or mid-wife. High-risk includes: Complications in previous pregnancies Three or more consecutive spontaneous abortions (miscarriages) Multiple gestation Maternal illnesses: diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, cardiac, renal, connective tissue or liver disorders Rh-negative mother or genetic problems including DES exposure Fetal genetic disorders Drug or other hazardous material exposure Pricing: In office is $75/hour, or we can bill health insurance. |
| One common question I am asked is why not use a prego pillow or table with a cut out - there are some possible dangers of using a special table with cut-out or other device to let pregnant clients lie on their tummy during massage. While some pregnant clients are able to sleep prone or semi-prone (on tummy) throughout pregnancy safely. During a massage, pressure is applied which could cause intrauterine pressure which is not significant in uncomplicated low-risk pregnancies. It is of particular danger when there are abnormalities in placental attachment or function. More caution is needed if there is concern about fetal blood supply or uterine competence. Some of these problems could go undetected, so it's really not worth the risk. Also, there is additional risk in the third trimester of tearing already stressed ligaments - they cannot be repaired. Lying in semi-recline position on pillows is very comfortable and it's a common labor-position, so the client will learn to become comfortable and relaxed in this position as an added benefit. |
Pregnancy, Labor and Postpartum Massage
organic oils and lotions, certified since 2003
organic oils and lotions, certified since 2003
