During pregnancy,

1. The weight has shifted drastically in a woman's body.
2. Weight has been added to the belly, which puts a large strain on the back.        
3. Pregnancy can also be a very stressful time emotionally.

Massage therapy, both before and after birth, can help relieve these strains in an extremely comfortable way.

Prenatal massage therapy focuses on the special needs of the mother-to-be.

By providing

• emotional support and nurturing touches,

                 --it provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints, eases neck and back pain,

• helps to keep good posture and relaxes  

                   --it provides flexibility to birthing muscles.

Massage can aid the circulatory and lymphatic systems,

• keep blood flowing to both the mother and the baby,
• reduce fatigue.
• help to stabilize hormone levels,
• relieves nervous tension throughout the body.

The fetus can also receive warm, loving touches before he or she is born. Massage oils and creams with vitamin E included may help with possible stretching of the skin around the belly. Doctors agree that a relaxed mother will be more likely to have a happier and healthier pregnancy, and perhaps an easier delivery.

Note the following cautions:

1) Don't begin prenatal massage therapy until the first trimester has been completed.

-increased circulation flow may cause dizziness, and

-add to existing morning sickness.

2) Pressure points on both sides of the ankle and the webbing between the thumb and index finger are to be avoided.

-It also known as "reflexology points," and believed that if sustained pressure is held on those points, they could activate deliver too early.

3) Few insurance companies cover the costs of prenatal massage therapy.

Massage therapy is not only good before childbirth, but also afterwards. Postpartum massage focuses on helping to restore the woman's body to its pre-pregnancy condition.

• important part in the restoration of the abdominal muscle wall and the uterus to its normal state.
• It helps to realign the body weight to its original distribution, and tones the over-stretched areas of skin over the belly.
• It relieves muscle tension and stress from everyday activities, especially new mothering duties.
• It helps restore the physical body to the new mom,
• helps to revive her emotional state.

 It is because the loving touch of hands can provide a time to relax and reflect for the new mother, and helps to get her through the postpartum blues. When the mother feels good about herself, it is easier to meet the needs of her newborn.

Massage & Myofascial Therapy:
As a woman's body changes, so does her need for a different type of massage.

Our therapists can focus on:

• getting in deep to break up your tight knots,
• reduce the aching legs and feet cramps, and
• re-align your sore back.  

When you are under stress your body produces stress hormones which travel directly through your blood to your baby.

• reducing your stress level,
• reducing the amount of these hormones in your blood stream.
• increase the oxygen to you and your baby through the increased circulation by focusing on an awareness to your breathing.

For your comfort we have a special support pregnancy cushion

• allows you to lie face-down through the first few months of your pregnancy, or
• you can be on your side supported with this wonderful cushion.

Some women have asked to buy or rent these pregnancy cushions from us because it is really comfortable and allow them to finally get some rest!

*(We don't endorse the tables with holes in them due to the fact they can't be sized to your belly and therefore can do harm by stretching the ligaments supporting your uterus.)