BABY~BABY~BABY

Prenatal massage (or pregnancy massage) is becoming more and more popular as doctors, nurses, ob/gyns and the general public are educated to the many physical, mental and emotional benefits of massage. A woman's body is changing hormonally, structurally and posturally as it nurtures, carries and prepares to deliver a baby. Connective tissue softens, upper and lower extremities can swell and pregnancy posture compensates for the large belly as hormones and emotional stress can reek havoc on an otherwise "easy" pregnancy. Massage is great for overall relaxation, but can also address and help ease the above symptoms. Contraindications for prenatal massage is nausea, morning sickness, fever, bleeding, diarrhea and/or vaginal discharge. I only perform pregnancy massage after the first trimester. There can be too many complications during the first three months and miscarriage can be common. Positioning is easy for mom in side lying because that is the way she sleeps. Pillows are placed between the legs and one up by the arms for "hugging". There are a few spots to avoid on the body around the ankle and hand because they can induce labor according to Chinese medicine.
Massage can also be utilized during labor, delivery and recovery. Studies have shown that it will decrease anxiety and labor pain and the need for medication. Doulas (massage therapists with specialized training in pregnancy, labor and delivery) can work side-by-side with mid-wives for a safe natural deliveries. Six to eight weeks after a c-section, massage can help a c-section scar heal quicker and with less binding. Infant and toddler massage is taught to parents for tactile and kinesthetic stimulation for healthy growth and development. In NICU (neonatal intensive care units), massage helps increase the recovery time for preterm, cocaine exposed, HIV exposed and other high risk babies. It has been shown to decrease tension in infants and toddlers, help them learn to relax, bonding time between kid and parent, aides in digestion and elimination, improves sleep and calm colic. Research and studies only confirm that massage can be a beneficial, therapeutic treatment on anyone at any age in almost any situation.

Love a pregnant lady? BUY THEM A MASSAGE. Love your kid? massage them! :-)

Brrr it's cold outside! Time for a hot stone massage...

I had little experience with hot stone massage, but the more I use them, the more I love them! There is nothing like the feel of warmth, the smooth hard stone and the pressure of the therapist's intuitive hands. The basalt stone, which is high in iron, maintains the heat for a few minutes after being submerged in water in a warmer/heater for about an hour. The heat warms and relaxes the muscles and/or allows the therapist to apply deep pressure. They also improve circulation and calm the nervous system. I like to use the stones as just an addition to my massage. I don't tend to place the stones all over body like the picture above because they tend to cool fairly quickly. The contraindications for hot stone massage are pregnancy, people with infectious disease, rashes or open wounds, immediately after surgery and immediately after chemo or radiation. Hot stone massage should not be done over anyplace where inflammation is present. The most challenging part is the temperature of the stones. ALWAYS let your therapist know if the stones are too hot or even too cold! Most stones massages are 60 to 90 minutes long and run between $80 and $190 dollars (which is unfortunate in my opinion because it makes it less available to everyone secondary to cost). The reason for the cost is the pain and hassle of hand cleaning each stone and the extra training involved with learning the correct procedures for hot stone massage. Everyone should experience a hot stone massage at least once in their lifetimes~ it's something you will never forget! A heaven of warmth with relaxation and pain relief....