Massage Therapy

Fertility Preconception Massage

The preconception period can become an extremely stressful time for everyone involved, and one of the primary factors in fertility challenges is often a high stress level. One of the greatest benefits of regular massage is stress reduction, and so the fertility preconception massage is designed to relax and nurture you.

Fertility massage is not intended to replace medical procedures however; it can be done on its own or to compliment medical fertility treatment.

Benefits of Fertility Preconception Massage

• Fertility Preconception massage is designed to support your body’s natural reproductive processes and rhythms, and is ideal for all women who have the desire to get pregnant.
• This method focuses on cleansing and clearing the body of adhesions and energetic blockages and increasing blood flow to the spine and pelvis.
• A combination of abdominal massage, cranial sacral massage, jaw massage and foot reflexology is incorporated to stimulate cleansing, support, and balance the endocrine system.

If you have been trying to conceive for some time, you may find that your sense of purity of conception is replaced by the inflexibility of timing. Oftentimes, as medical interventions and assistive technologies come into play, it is easy to become distant and removed from your original, love-filled intention. Fertility massage is for both the women and the men.

FAQs on Fertility Massage

Do I have to be experiencing infertility to receive fertility massage

No. Fertility massage can be applied to anyone desiring to become pregnant. However, your therapist will ask certain questions and use preconception/fertility massage during the appropriate time of your cycle. For men, preconception/fertility massage can be used anytime.

Prenatal Massage

The female body goes through many changes during her pregnancy. Often times, these changes are uncomfortable and stressful. Prenatal massage focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be as her body goes through the changes experienced during pregnancy.

Benefits of prenatal massage:

• Increase in flexibility. Massage relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles.
• Improve sleep. Massage relaxed the nervous system by releasing endorphins into the women’s body.
• Relieves depression and anxiety caused by the fluctuation in the hormone changes.
• Decreases the discomforts experienced by pregnancy. Some discomforts relieved include backache, leg cramps, edema, headache, sciatica and swollen ankles and feet. Massage helps with cramping, tension and knots in the muscles.
• Helps control blood pressure. Massage can ease the load on the women’s heart
• Eases muscle fatigue caused by lactic acid and other cellular waste.
• Helps control varicose veins. Massage improves the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
• Greater nourishment for the unborn baby. Massage increases blood circulation, providing more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of the mother and fetus.

FAQ on Prenatal Massage

What form of payment do you accept?

We accept cash or check and most major credit cards, including health care flexible spending accounts (HCFSA). We will provide a receipt that you can send to your health care provider or Health Care Flexible Speniding Account (HCFSA) for allowable reimbursement.

Can I lay on my stomach for a prenatal massage

At Peaceful Beginnings, you have the added benefit of laying on your belly for a massage. We use special adjustable tables to enable you to receive a comfortabel massage without harm to you or your unborn baby. Furthermore, as registered nurses in the field of maternal child care, we are specially trained to meet your needs.

Should I ask my doctor or midwife about receiving a massage?

It is always important to consult your doctor or midwife regarding massage or any type of care you receive. However, if your pregnancy is low risk there is no need to get permission before receiving a massage. I will complete an intake form and if there are concerns, I will ask your permission to contact your doctor or midwife. The aim for all of us is that you and your baby are as well as possible: before, during and after the birth. Massage has many benefits: it can relax, energize, relieve aches and pains and allows you to get in touch with your body as well as your unborn baby. If I observes any problems that your health care provider need to be aware of, I will ask to you to tell your doctor or midwife. As a Registered Nurse and a massage therapist, I am highly skilled and trained to recognize symptoms that may require urgent medical attention.

Can a massage cause a miscarriage?

No, miscarriages are usually due to a problem with the health of your baby or placenta, However, you are strongly encouraged to tell your therapist immediately when something is not "right" during the massage. You should be in constant communication with your massage therapsit if you are experiencing any discomfort.

How often should I receive a mssage during pregnancy?

You can come for pregnancy massage any time, even before you are pregnant (preconception massage) or after the birth (post-natal massage). If you are having difficulty with conceiving, fertility massage is another alternative treatment.

You do not have to have a problem to benefit and enjoy massage during pregnancy; however, the associated symptoms of pregnancy are relieved with massage. The frequency of massage depends on many factors, such as your activity level and the stages of your pregnancy. Massage Therapy is effective for reducing the pregnant women’s anxiety, sleep disturbances, back pain and stress hormones.

Most women find that up to 30-32 weeks, they benefit from a monthly massage. During 32-36 weeks, most moms benefit from massage every other week and in the last month, many moms find that weekly massage helps with the stress as their body goes through rapid changes. I can work with your (birth) partner on how touch can be used to support you during pregnancy and birth. Furthermore, I am available for massage during the early stages of labor and as soon after the birth of your baby as you request, even hours after.

Post Partum Massage

Post partum is that time your body is recovering from the delivery experience. Your body is going through many physical and hormonal changes during this time. Post partum massage provides many benefits.

Benefits of post partum massage:

• Re-establishes pelvis structural integrity. Massage improves the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
• Supports healthy lactation.
• Reduces stress hormones. Sooths and relaxes the nervous system by the release of endorphins.
• Facilitates the healing of bladder disorders, post-episiotomy soreness, and Cesarean Section.
• Supports healthy emotional state and infant bonding.

If desired, you are encouraged to bring your newborn to your post partum massage. Massage positions will accommodate the breastfeeding mother-baby dyad.

FAQ on Postnatal Massage

How soon after I have my baby can I receive a massage?

If you have had an uncomplicated labor & vaginal birth, you can receive massage as soon as you like, even hours after. Due to the work involved in labor and birth, many women find their shoulders, neck & upper back are very tight following birth. I am very flexible depending on you and your baby’s needs. In addition, I support breastfeeding, therefore, I encourage you to have your newborn with you during post-natal massage.

Children and Adolescent Massage

Studies show that massage may be effective for children and adolescents. Some of these benefits include pain relief and prevention, such as headache and muscle spasms from play, sports and growth. Massage promotes injury free sports participation, an increase in the immune system, stress reduction, decrease anxiety and depression. Children and Adolescent massage also promotes a healthy sense of boundaries.

Benefits of children and adolescent massage

Massage has shown to be effective with children and adolescent who are dealing with health issues such as:

• Autism
• Asthma
• Atopic Dermatitis
• Attention Deficit Disorder(ADD)/ Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD)
• Behavioral Issues
• Bulimia
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Diabetes
• HIV
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

FAQs on Children and Adolescent Massage

How long of a massage should children and adolescents receive?

This depends on the age; most children can only handle 15-20 minutes, where adolescents can usually enjoy a one hour massage. Parents should discuss their concerns about their child or adolescent prior to massage. If the therapists senses that your child or adolescent is ready to end the massage, the therapist will do so.

Should I stay with my child or adolescent during the massage?

This too depends on each individual. Most younger children may prefer that a parent be in the room during the massage. This is also a good time for the therapist to instruct the parent or guardian on massage techniques they can use at home with their child. Adolescents, on the other hand, usually prefer this sacred time alone.

Newborn Infant Massage Instructions

Infant massage has been practiced for centuries by other cultures. Infant massage is one of the most natural ways to communicate with you newborn. There has been extensive research since the 1970s on the benefits of massage on the infant, including weight gain, and decreased length of stay in the neonatal intensive care units. Infant massage benefits both the baby and the parents. Some of these benefits include:

• Relaxation for the Infant. The loving touch lessens fussiness, crying and irritability in the baby and it can lighten the stress for the baby and the parents.
• Growth and Development. Research shows that massage increases weight gain and the immune system.
• Bonding & Attachment. Gentle touch is essential for emotional, physical growth as well as the well-being of the infant. Touch contributes to the attachment between parent and child.
• Improves Digestion. helps to relieve the discomfort of gas, colic and constipation
• Improves Baby’s Sleep. As your newborn is relaxed, the result is better and improved sleep. Therefore, parents sleep better too.
• Parents learn babies’ needs and how to respond to their cues. Parents feel more confident in knowing the needs of their baby.

For home visits, we reserve the right of refusal to anyone if the setting to which we have traveled to accommodate an outcall service poses any threat or harm to the lactation consultant and/ or therapist.