Bringing a new life into this world holds certain challenges and responsibilities. You have a set period of time in which the things you do can contribute to the lifelong health and well-being of your new child. Obviously, you want to do all you can to help your new baby have every health advantage possible.

Think about what takes place within your body as your pregnancy develops and you can see why massage is so beneficial. As the baby grows, your lung capacity lessens, you experience greater pressure on your digestive area, and your posture changes to compensate for your new physical condition. Your ability to breathe and to digest is altered — both functions that can affect the development of the fetus.

These physical changes can lead to discomfort in the back, neck, and hips and often contribute to bouts of heartburn, reflux, constipation and swelling in the legs.

The good news is that regular massage is very beneficial in relieving many of these complaints experienced by expectant mothers. By addressing the issues and muscles that are altered during pregnancy, I can improve your comfort level as well as your body’s ability to function properly. The result is a happier mom-to-be and a better functioning body which can bring greater nutrition to your developing child.

Your labor experience can be improved by massage as well. Here are excerpts from a recent Massage Magazine article: “A study on the effects of massage for women in labor revealed that massage decreased the women’s pain, anxiety and depression, and shortened labor time. The study was conducted by researchers from Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami.”

In an article for Massage Therapy Journal, licensed massage therapist Elaine Stillerman wrote: “In our medically specialized world massage is often overlooked as a valuable adjunct to health care. Yet it is among the oldest of the healing arts, having been employed therapeutically for thousands of years in almost every culture. In accompanied childbirth nearly everywhere in the tribal world it is appropriate that this time honored and tested tradition take its rightful place in prenatal care and post-partum recovery.” Stillerman is also author of the book Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomfort of Pregnancy and has taught a course on massage during pregnancy at schools around the country.

Please contact me to learn more. I look forward to hearing from you.