Massage Therapy

Fertility/ Pre-conception Massage

The pre-conception 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 /Pre-conception Massage

• cleanses and aligns your body
• reduces and clears the body of pelvic adhesions
• increases blood flow to your reproductive organs
• provides you with deep relaxation
• empowers parents
• compliments medical fertility treatments
• supports hormone balance

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
• Relieves muscle, joint and nerve fatigue
• Improve sleep
• Releases endorphins
• Helps control blood pressure
• Helps control and prevent varicose veins.
• Greater nourishment for the unborn baby as well as enjoyment for the baby in utero

FAQ on Prenatal Massage

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.

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.

How often should I receive a massage during pregnancy?

You can come for pregnancy massage any time, even before you are pregnant (fertility/ pre-conception massage) or after the birth (post-natal massage).

The frequency of massage depends on many factors, such as your activity level and the stages of your pregnancy.

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. Furthermore, we are 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; this includes from the time you deliver up until 6-weeks after. Your body is going through many physical and hormonal changes during this time. Post partum massage provides many benefits.

Benefits of post partum massage:

• Relieves soreness and muscle tension from labor
• Re-establishes pelvis structural integrity
• Supports healthy lactation
• Reduces stress hormones by releasing endorphins
• Facilitates realiagnment of ribs, pelvix and organs
• 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. We are very flexible depending on you and your baby’s needs. In addition, we support breastfeeding, therefore, if desired, we encourage you to have your newborn with you during post-natal massage.

Sports Massage

For the everyday athlete. This style of vigorous massage helps improve muscle function by increasing blood flow, removing buildup of toxins, and increase flexibility to improve athletic performance.

Benefits of Sports Massage

With regular exercise, performance training, and day to day strenuous activity, your muscles often become inelastic and hard, causing a decrease in performance or injury; massage will help reverse this by stretching the tissue.

• Prevents injury
• Restores mobility to injured muscle tissues
• Boost performance and extend life of your sporting career
• Opens and dilates blood vessesl to allow nutrients to pass through

Types of Sports Massage

Pre event. A short massage, 15-45 minutes, that will stimulate your muscles. Will be focused on the parts of the body that will meet exertion; such as with a running event, the therapist will focus on your leg muscles. This massage should assist in warming up an athlete's body; increasing blood supply to the muscles; support joint mobility; and leaving the athlete feeling great and ready to perform. Usually, this massage is given on site of the event before the warm up.

Post event. A post- event massage is given to restore your tissues back to normal and is usually given one- two hours within your event.

Restorative/maintenance sports massage. Received during training and exercise to prevent injury and to enhance performance.

Rehabilitative sports massage. To alleviate pain caused by injury or overuse from training or exercise to assist the body to health

Heated river stones are placed on and massaged over the body using traditional Swedish techniques. The warmth of the stones comforts the body, softens and relaxes sore muscles, while calming the mind.

Many people find the warmth of the hot stones to be comforting and get it for relaxation.

Hot stone massage is wondeful for people who tend to feel chilly or who have cold feet. The heat relaxes muscles, allowing the therapist to work the muscles without using deep pressure.

Some people also get hot stone massage for a variety of health conditions such as:

• Back pain and aches
• Poor circulation
  
• Osteoarthritis and arthritis pain
  
• Stress and tension
  
• Insomnia
  
• Depression
• Post partum

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 and promotes sleep
• Massage can increases weight gain and strengthen the immune system
• Touch encourates bonding between parent and child
• Prevents and Treats Colic
• Aids in any bith trauma
• Parents learn babies’ needs and how to communicate with their child