Joan has studied with Suzanne Yates ( Well Mother)
website www.wellmother.org
and has obtained a Diploma in Pregnancy Massage which is validated by the Association of Physical and Natural therapists.
website www.wellmother.org
and has obtained a Diploma in Pregnancy Massage which is validated by the Association of Physical and Natural therapists.
How Pregnancy Massage can support you through Pregnancy, Labour
And in the Post-Natal period.
Pregnancy Massage
Gently and caringly responds to your needs as your body changes during pregnancy whilst giving you space to receive TLC at this precious time!
Some benefits which you may experience:
And in the Post-Natal period.
Pregnancy Massage
Gently and caringly responds to your needs as your body changes during pregnancy whilst giving you space to receive TLC at this precious time!
Some benefits which you may experience:
- Reduced swelling in hands (thus easing carpal tunnel pain), feet and ankles.
- Help with the symptoms of varicose veins.
- Relief from constipation.
- Lessens sciatic pain.
- Eases muscular discomfort in areas like low back and neck, calf cramp and general feelings of tightening and tension which you may experience in your body.
- Tones lax muscles and relaxes tense muscles and can help increase flexibility.
- Helps to relax you which will tend to help with insomnia.
- Detoxification of your system can help with fatigue.
- Stimulates the release of endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, into the brain and nervous system.
- Helps to relieve anxiety or depression.
- Helps to increase blood circulation, which in turn delivers more oxygen and nutrients to mother and baby.
- Can be used during the birth as well as after, making both experiences easier and more comfortable
Massage work is beneficial throughout the entire nine months of your pregnancy; however, if you are having a high risk pregnancy it is best to discuss your condition with your midwife or GP before undergoing treatment with written permission from your GP.
A detailed health history will be taken with appropriate questions relating to the pregnancy which will help your therapist to work safely and effectively with you. Information obtained can help with decisions about modifications to the massage or if medical referral is required. This process would also include a discussion of your expectations of the pregnancy and any birth plan
The holistic approach used will include will also include Energy and breath work, which will connect traditional pregnancy massage techniques with Shiatsu techniques.
In this way your treatment will address your whole Being, including emotional and spiritual aspects, rather than the purely physical.
In Shiatsu terms energy or Ki in the body flows along certain pathways called Meridians.
Meridians are the pathways from the organs which link them and vital substances in the body.
The energy pathways also pass through the muscles, bones and skin- Shiatsu techniques include stretches, which open up energy along meridian pathways.
Imbalance in organ reflects in meridian and vice versa.
By working on the outside-we affect the inside of the body.
The therapist will work with two hands to balance the energy flow between the organs to support you and your baby throughout pregnancy, during labour and beyond.
Because we are working on two people- you and your baby; we have an awareness of your baby at all times and will help you and your partner to relate to the baby emotionally as well as physically.
Energy and visualisation work will help you to tune into your pregnancy; learn to take care of yourself and trust in your inner wisdom for the birth.
As your pregnancy progresses the energy work and massage will also assist in relieving stresses and tensions in your spine including coccyx release, piriformis release if required and work around your ribs and neck and shoulders.
The upper neck bones are related to the lower lumbar vertebrae so treating the neck can help with lower back pain.
The neck is often tense because of the additional strain on the lower back as well as the fact that you may be sitting at a desk or driving a lot.
Birth Partner Sessions.
You can arrange for a session with your birth partner in which your partner can be taught Shiatsu pain relief points for use during pregnancy and labour.
Focus points (labour induction points) which are to be avoided up to 37 weeks; after which time they are used to encourage labour contractions.
Your partner can also be taught how to support you through pregnancy and birth with easy techniques to help with nausea, indigestion and supporting moves to calm and energise.
In the advanced stages of your pregnancy, work with the abdomen and sacrum, sometimes on an exercise ball, can help with pain relief and can also help connect you and your partner with the baby
A detailed health history will be taken with appropriate questions relating to the pregnancy which will help your therapist to work safely and effectively with you. Information obtained can help with decisions about modifications to the massage or if medical referral is required. This process would also include a discussion of your expectations of the pregnancy and any birth plan
The holistic approach used will include will also include Energy and breath work, which will connect traditional pregnancy massage techniques with Shiatsu techniques.
In this way your treatment will address your whole Being, including emotional and spiritual aspects, rather than the purely physical.
In Shiatsu terms energy or Ki in the body flows along certain pathways called Meridians.
Meridians are the pathways from the organs which link them and vital substances in the body.
The energy pathways also pass through the muscles, bones and skin- Shiatsu techniques include stretches, which open up energy along meridian pathways.
Imbalance in organ reflects in meridian and vice versa.
By working on the outside-we affect the inside of the body.
The therapist will work with two hands to balance the energy flow between the organs to support you and your baby throughout pregnancy, during labour and beyond.
Because we are working on two people- you and your baby; we have an awareness of your baby at all times and will help you and your partner to relate to the baby emotionally as well as physically.
Energy and visualisation work will help you to tune into your pregnancy; learn to take care of yourself and trust in your inner wisdom for the birth.
As your pregnancy progresses the energy work and massage will also assist in relieving stresses and tensions in your spine including coccyx release, piriformis release if required and work around your ribs and neck and shoulders.
The upper neck bones are related to the lower lumbar vertebrae so treating the neck can help with lower back pain.
The neck is often tense because of the additional strain on the lower back as well as the fact that you may be sitting at a desk or driving a lot.
Birth Partner Sessions.
You can arrange for a session with your birth partner in which your partner can be taught Shiatsu pain relief points for use during pregnancy and labour.
Focus points (labour induction points) which are to be avoided up to 37 weeks; after which time they are used to encourage labour contractions.
Your partner can also be taught how to support you through pregnancy and birth with easy techniques to help with nausea, indigestion and supporting moves to calm and energise.
In the advanced stages of your pregnancy, work with the abdomen and sacrum, sometimes on an exercise ball, can help with pain relief and can also help connect you and your partner with the baby
Your partner can also practice movements and positions to encourage labour and to relieve pain.
Additional Work
Incorporated in your massage session is postural assessment and suggestions for exercises to help prepare your body for the pregnancy and birth; encouraging your baby to settle in the optimum anterior position. Reminder of Pelvic floor exercises and written instruction on antenatal perineal massage which you or your partner can perform if you wish.(See Antenatal perineal massage for reducing perineal trauma-Cochrane Database of systemic reviews 30th April 2013)
Breath work will also help with relaxation and focus on your connection with your baby.
If you are having a planned Caesarean Section-support will include massage and Shiatsu Energy Work, exercises and visualisation to maintain connection with your baby.
If you have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or Pelvic Girdle Pain special care will be taken to safely position you during the massage session so as not to further destabilise the joint.
Shiatsu energy work and adapted exercise regimen will support you and instil confidence.
What to expect in the session;
For the massage you undress down to your underwear or whatever your level of comfort is and the massage will take place on a massage bed. You are covered with a sheet and only the area of the body being worked on is uncovered. You either lie on your side or semi recline.
Some of the session may include massage and exercise work on an exercise ball (on all fours) very good position for massaging into the sacrum, glutes and lower back!
In the first trimester
You are going through many changes and our treatment focus is on supporting you in this process. Work with breathing and visualisation can help greatly with stress reduction and acceptance of these changes.
Bodywork in this stage is very gentle with careful avoidance of labour focus/shiatsu/reflex points.
Focus is on back shoulder and neck as you may be working at a desk and experiencing tension.
Energy work may help with nausea.
Exercise is more about posture awareness and pelvic floor exercises and maybe stretching of neck and shoulder.
Often described as the “golden time” the second trimester.
Very often you will feel very well physically and emotionally.
Sometimes this is not the case, as nausea/vomiting may persist and you may not feel happy with your changing shape. At some point your body may force you to slow down.
Massage work can become stronger now but still avoiding the labour focus points and reflex zones.
Exercise can be introduced into our session with all four work sometimes using a gym ball; squatting and standing squats if appropriate. Your partner can become involved too.
If there are signs of SPD developing then bodywork and exercises will be modified.
In the third trimester
The focus is on birth and motherhood.
The increasing weight of the baby and the effects this has on the body can be balanced by massage and postural awareness.
Constipation or indigestion may be present and varicose veins, oedema and carpal tunnel syndrome may develop we can help with appropriate exercise, massage & dietary advice and self care strategies.
Tiredness tends to be a problem with you maybe still working and having to cope with older children.
So the massage session can be a valuable time to focus on you and your baby.
You may feel more motivated to practice birth positions and breathing for labour and your partner may want to become involved with learning massage moves to ease your pregnancy and help in labour.
Focus is on being aware of your baby’s position and connecting with your baby, while doing the exercises which help your baby assume the optimal position for labour.
After the Birth
Support will continue once your baby is born and Post Natal Massage will help your body to recover from the pregnancy and childbirth experience.
A home visit can be arranged if that is more convenient for you and the baby!
Post Natal support can help in a number of ways:
Suggestions for gentle exercises, some of which you can do with your baby!
Gentle massage techniques and Shiatsu energy work combine to balance and restore the body
Incorporated in your massage session is postural assessment and suggestions for exercises to help prepare your body for the pregnancy and birth; encouraging your baby to settle in the optimum anterior position. Reminder of Pelvic floor exercises and written instruction on antenatal perineal massage which you or your partner can perform if you wish.(See Antenatal perineal massage for reducing perineal trauma-Cochrane Database of systemic reviews 30th April 2013)
Breath work will also help with relaxation and focus on your connection with your baby.
If you are having a planned Caesarean Section-support will include massage and Shiatsu Energy Work, exercises and visualisation to maintain connection with your baby.
If you have Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction or Pelvic Girdle Pain special care will be taken to safely position you during the massage session so as not to further destabilise the joint.
Shiatsu energy work and adapted exercise regimen will support you and instil confidence.
What to expect in the session;
For the massage you undress down to your underwear or whatever your level of comfort is and the massage will take place on a massage bed. You are covered with a sheet and only the area of the body being worked on is uncovered. You either lie on your side or semi recline.
Some of the session may include massage and exercise work on an exercise ball (on all fours) very good position for massaging into the sacrum, glutes and lower back!
In the first trimester
You are going through many changes and our treatment focus is on supporting you in this process. Work with breathing and visualisation can help greatly with stress reduction and acceptance of these changes.
Bodywork in this stage is very gentle with careful avoidance of labour focus/shiatsu/reflex points.
Focus is on back shoulder and neck as you may be working at a desk and experiencing tension.
Energy work may help with nausea.
Exercise is more about posture awareness and pelvic floor exercises and maybe stretching of neck and shoulder.
Often described as the “golden time” the second trimester.
Very often you will feel very well physically and emotionally.
Sometimes this is not the case, as nausea/vomiting may persist and you may not feel happy with your changing shape. At some point your body may force you to slow down.
Massage work can become stronger now but still avoiding the labour focus points and reflex zones.
Exercise can be introduced into our session with all four work sometimes using a gym ball; squatting and standing squats if appropriate. Your partner can become involved too.
If there are signs of SPD developing then bodywork and exercises will be modified.
In the third trimester
The focus is on birth and motherhood.
The increasing weight of the baby and the effects this has on the body can be balanced by massage and postural awareness.
Constipation or indigestion may be present and varicose veins, oedema and carpal tunnel syndrome may develop we can help with appropriate exercise, massage & dietary advice and self care strategies.
Tiredness tends to be a problem with you maybe still working and having to cope with older children.
So the massage session can be a valuable time to focus on you and your baby.
You may feel more motivated to practice birth positions and breathing for labour and your partner may want to become involved with learning massage moves to ease your pregnancy and help in labour.
Focus is on being aware of your baby’s position and connecting with your baby, while doing the exercises which help your baby assume the optimal position for labour.
After the Birth
Support will continue once your baby is born and Post Natal Massage will help your body to recover from the pregnancy and childbirth experience.
A home visit can be arranged if that is more convenient for you and the baby!
Post Natal support can help in a number of ways:
- Alleviate muscle strain.
- Promote pelvic floor healing.
- Rebalance the pelvis and spine.
- Help with healing after c-section.
- Help tone up tummy muscles –separated rectus abdominus muscles can be drawn together with” recti gathering” technique.
- Relief of back and neck strain caused by nursing your baby.
- Generating a feeling of “being put back together again”
- A welcome space to be nurtured in!
Suggestions for gentle exercises, some of which you can do with your baby!
Gentle massage techniques and Shiatsu energy work combine to balance and restore the body
