Submitted by Rylen Feeney, Independent Practitioner of Asian Bodywork Therapy and practitioner of Pregnancy Massage Portland at Blossom Clinic.
Chinese medicine recognizes five major transitions or watersheds in a woman’s lifetime: birth, puberty, pregnancy, menopause and death. Each of these times is an opportunity, a gate through which we pass, and can irrevocably affect our spirit and/or our health.
There is no better time to closely nourish ourselves than when we are pregnant. It presents itself as an opportunity to not only resolve old health issues of our own but to help form and impact the future health of our soon-to-be child.
At Blossom we are fortunate to be able to offer both traditional Swedish pregnancy massage and Asian bodywork Therapy for pregnancy. If what you need is deep relaxation and a nourishing touch to ease your spirit and melt your aches and pains try the Swedish prenatal massage. If you are suffering from lethargy, feeling out of sorts and achy try the Asian bodywork to revitalize and balance your mind and body.
A woman may receive prenatal massage at any point during a healthy pregnancy. In a high risk pregnancy, or when there are medical complications, it is recommended to consult with both your obstetrician and a prenatal massage therapist. The benefits of prenatal massage and Asian bodywork therapy include the following:
* Reduces stress & anxiety
* Relieves aches and pains due to the rapid changes taking place in your body: great for the neck, back, sacrum, hands and feet.
* Reduces swelling of feet and ankles
* Maintains skin elasticity, reducing stretch marks
* Promotes deep relaxation & improves quality of sleep
* Improves digestion – constipation and acid reflux
* Relaxes and soothes baby
* Reduces pelvic & sciatic pain
* Can help reduce nausea
* Improves energy and vitality
* Relieves sinus congestion
Prenatal massage and Asian bodywork therapy are safe and effective complementary health care approaches for mothers-to-be. To avoid any negative effects make sure your therapist is trained and experienced. Note that nausea and dizziness can occur after any massage, don’t come with a completely empty stomach but do avoid eating immediately before a massage, and get up carefully and slowly to avoid problems. Hydration is essential after receiving any type of bodywork, be sure to drink plenty of water following your massage.