About 85% of my clients are women - in their teens through their nineties! I have extensive experience and specialized training (since 1992) in the administration of natural health and therapeutics for women, including Pregnancy Massage - also called massage for the childbearing year, as the needs of this approach to serving women go beyond the pregnancy and into the delicate, and sometimes intense, post partum period of family integration and healing. We recognize the transformational aspects taking place in body, mind, and psyche, and call for honor and care at this special time of life. Additional services for the childbearing year are presented on this page, including a specific "scar massage' therapy technique which is often combined with an externally applied castor oil pack, in cases where a C-section was the necessary delivery mode- one which has proven to reduce the formation of scar tissue by up to 80%, and reduce the scar color, thickness, and appearance. Also included in an explanation of Calendula flower cream for its' very well received benefits for nursing mothers comfort, as well as baby comfort- Calendula officinalis being a skin healing , antibacterial, and safe botanical without peer. Let us take a look at some helpful short essays which describe terms used in the natural health care of the childbearing community.
My background of experience in Pregnancy Massage - specialized advanced certification in workshops designed to teach massage and bodywork techniques, including posturing, draping, soft tissue massage techniques, contraindications, pathology, and general physical and emotional well being, transformational changes, and possible medical problems during the childbearing year - that all adds up to a 100 hour curriculum in pregnancy massage, which I completed in 1995. After 3 years of clinical practice with families, I developed my own contributions to the field, including healing applications, as well as workshop programs, and then taught courses as Nationally Certified continuing education from 1996 on until today, 2007 . I have taught Pregnancy Massage in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels for 11 years to over 200 professional therapists during that time. Pregnant women have different needs for bodywork, with very quickly changing physical and emotional changes in a short period of time. This bodywork provides relief of pain and restriction, and provides immeasurable comfort . We are able to address body tone, structural changes, to improve breathing, allay and ease anxiety, improve sleep quality, reduce edema, and pains which may occur or intensify in the back, hips, ankles, neck, and elsewhere. Scar Healing Massage: specialized techniques in massage therapy allow for practitioners to serve the intent of re-aligning tissue, and supporting tissue regeneration. The results are that scars from C-section incision may be significantly reduced. I have tracked such incisions up to two years after the birth, and in many cases these incision areas are actually difficult to even locate- no redness, no bulging, no scar tissue. It is more than just a matter of aesthetics- untreated incisions are often present as very uncomfortable, restricted lower pelvic tissue for women, and often the scar area continues to worsen as more tissues regenerate without alignment or treatment. Employing the scar massage technique treats all of this. The procedure is integrated into a general massage therapy session and lasts no longer than 10-12 minutes, and there is no price increase for the session. It is important to begin as early as possible- I begin just as soon as I receive clearance from the surgeon- generally 4-5 weeks into the healing process, just after the acute stage. When the healing process is well along, the technique may be taught to clients for the purpose of home administration, for it is helpful to continue the technique, and certainly not necessary to receive professional treatment at that stage. I was taught scar massage in 1995 by a wonderful teacher (RN, licensed massage therapist, and midwife) during my Pregnancy Massage certification studies in Ithaca, NY. As I progressed in my own studies and private practice over 13 years, I improved this therapeutic application by adding an external castor oil pack, along with my own soft tissue massage innovations to align tissue. Scar massage is gently performed well after any "acute" healing phases post C-section. There is no pain, and clients report that it feels to be "appropriate and necessary". We really do know our own bodies. The castor oil poultice is externally administered with a warm hot water bottle on top to increase healing circulation. Along with a connective tissue massage technique, small focused finger movements called "friction" in the Swedish massage lexicon are applied along the area of the healing incision for the purpose of preventing undue scar tissue, bulk, and the tissue "pulling" and "pinchiness" which can occur during the healing of incisions. This general technique, with modifications, is also used after other types of surgeries. I have seen very important and significant results from this work over a period of 5-7 sessions. Women receiving this work feel there is a very important and even amazing difference in the feeling and also speed of healing of C-section incisions- and their doctors also notice remarkable positive differences in the healing of the incision area. However, often those same doctors are no longer in the picture some weeks after delivery, yet the area continues to undergo a healing process for more than one year. I have compared scars from clients receiving the work and clients who had not , due to not knowing about me or the work, and the massaged incisions are much less dense, more flexible, thinner, far reduced in bulk, and lighter in color, blending in with surrounding tissues - they are healthy. Many are nearly invisible- I have had to strain to find some of them ! Please call my office with any questions: 734-769-7794. Calendula Cream: Made by infusing organic calendula flowers, locally grown at Herbs of Light Medicine Farm, with organic plant based oil. The resulting cream greatly comforts and heals breast problems such as soreness, cracking, bruising , low grade infection - and has been found to encourage infants to "latch on" - the cream is safe for mother and infant alike. Calendula Cream , along with any other therapeutic botanicals , is available ($14.00 per jar) through the herbal pharmacy and dispensary at my office- we also mail out orders via post. Positioning for Medical Conditions - At times, women have had abdominal or pelvic surgery during pregnancy. This circumstance, along with C-section incision scar, and possibly other medical conditions, may rule out side lying positioning. There are a variety of comfortable and supported positions for pre and post natal massage therapy. One very comfortable and functional position is using pillows to support the client as seated on a chair. The abdominal area is completely supported and protected by pillows - and the client is structurally supported , while able to comfortably recline and receive the benefits of a massage therapy session, fully draped for privacy, warmth, and personal comfort. The feedback I receive about natural therapeutics , such as massage, herbal formulations, and energy work, includes comments such as "I got through my pregnancy by receiving regular massage",. . ."I was able to sleep 100% better" , and " . .. "I consider this a necessity at this time!". Women generally make regularly scheduled appointments with an ideal frequency being once per week, or twice per month. This approach to health care may begin any time, and has extended after delivery, with me making home or hospital visits on many occasions. One or more home visits can soothe a variety of post delivery tensions and get the beneficial life energies flowing, while offering great support during a very transformational time in a woman's life and that of her family. I offer a very comfortable session room with a private adjacent restroom. The massage table is cozy and supportive, with plenty of pillows, props, blankets and sheets as needed for a variety of body placement needs, such as side-lying, or supported upright on pillows, and many others as needed. Best of all, the entire setting is truly an oasis away from urban noise, concrete, and pressures. Massage and bodywork are often best received in a silent, meditative atmosphere , allowing the client to relax and journey inward. Infant Massage is available as a special private appointment - your new baby at 5 weeks - 16 weeks of age, myself, and you. As I demonstrate infant massage with the baby, allowing those present (usually it is the mother) to "learn by doing" , I mentor this wonderful skill which is a gift to the entire family. During the session, the mother takes over and gives the massage techniques a try. This experience, along with informative hand-outs, teaches how to do infant massage safely at home, along with the benefits , and any contraindications. The session ends with an entire infant massage session having been demonstrated , with baby receiving his or her first massage. Babies love this attention! And, the benefits of infant massage are many, as is the scientific research supporting infant massage through the Touch Research Institute. Infant massage is embraced in native cultures throughout the world. During this private lesson in my serene healing space, you and your baby receive focused attention, time for your questions, and useful information about infant body care , special needs, special music suggestions, and more. You will even learn, and practice, a very gentle foot massage session , most useful for calming, as well as a gentle technique to reduce colic or upset stomach . I have offered private infant massage tutorial sessions since 1995 - now some of my first babies are entering junior high school ! You may explore this option further by calling my office at 734- 769-7794. The time frame of the session is 1.5 hours. The fee is $75.00 I schedule these sessions Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Generally I suggest an hour and a half appointment time as being ideal for optimum massage therapy. Often my clients are both working women and busy mothers who need this more supportive amount of time for their session. My rates are : $70.00 - one hour appointment
Series of 6: $360.00 $90.00 one and half hour appointment Series of 6: $490.00 (Please, no tips expected or accepted for health care) Appointments are scheduled Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. - 630 p.m. When clients call in acute pain or distress of any kind, I do my best to take them as soon as possible including outside of my regular client scheduling time, including weekends if I am available to do so. |
