Perinatal Care 

Nurtured spirit massage specializes in perinatal care. Meaning I use different techniques to help you through the different phases. You're going through in pregnancy and postpartum. I've had continued education with my knowledge of medical massage to help maximize your benefit of massage during these times. I am very passionate about helping moms through their journey of pregnancy to postpartum, and transitioning into motherhood. Listed below our differences and highlights that you are going to find when booking pregnancy or postpartum massage.

                     Pregnancy                                                 Postpartum                            

Sideline postion

While receiving pregnancy massage, you will be receiving the massage in the sideline position. Meaning you will be using your pregnancy pillow on the massage table and I will flip you over and spend half the time on your left side half the time on your right side and wrap up spin the last 10 to 15 minutes while laying on your back. Accommodations can be made if certain positions are uncomfortable for you. When booking in office, the pillows will be provided, when booking in-home session sessions your pregnancy pillow will need to be present. 

Foot reflexology

Foot reflexology is something I often incorporate in my pregnancy massages.

While the baby is growing, your organs are being smashed and they're having to make accommodations to make room for the baby. This can cause a lot of discomfort for you, and one of the ways I like to ease that discomfort is foot reflexology. Foot reflexology is a great way to help affect different organs and systems throughout the body without actually having to touch those areas. I'm very cautious while doing foot reflexology as there can be contraindications during pregnancy. I am educated on which acupressure points to avoid, and which are safe for pregnancy. Foot reflexology does not need to be included in your pregnancy massage, it is just something I commonly use to help ease the discomfort that you are most likely feeling during your pregnancy.

Breast Massage

I am certified in breast massage, and I frequently use it during my massage sessions to help ease the changes that your body is going through rapidly. Breast massage can relieve swelling, improve your skin elasticity, as well as prepare you for breast-feeding. Breast massage also allows me to loosen up your chest muscles more efficiently. While your breasts are rapidly growing through this time, you may notice more tightness in your chest and breast massage is a very effective way to alleviate the tightness and soreness.

Techniques

During the pregnancy massage, I will use different techniques to help utilize your body in the sideline position. I will commonly use different pen and stretch techniques to really help loosen your shoulders and open up your chest. Because of the sideline position I have a great access to your glutes, hips and IT band, and I'm able to work these areas thoroughly and get your body prepared for postpartum. Most commonly I will use slow firm effleurage techniques to maximize relaxation and initiation of your parasympathetic nervous system.

Breast, Chest, Abdominal massage

During my postpartum sessions, I am almost always massaging the breast chest and abdominal muscles. Abdominal massage has many benefits during postpartum, it increases blood flow to help increase the healing process, it can help strength the uterus, it improves digestion, and it helps initiate your parasympathetic nervous system which allows your body to relax easier at this high stress time. If you got a C-section, I will need a clear from your doctor to be able to work on this area. 

Breast and chest massage is also just as beneficial before pregnancy during pregnancy and after pregnancy. During postpartum, you're using your chest muscles more frequently. I use pin and stretch techniques, deep tissue releases, and Swedish massage techniques to help loosen your pectoral muscles, your diaphragm, and your upper traps. Breast massage during postpartum is very effective, it can help increase milk, production, aids in circulation, it can help release clogged milk ducts, and ease pain and swelling.

Postpartum stretching

One of my favorite parts of postpartum massage is the postpartum stretching. While you're laying on your back and we're wrapping up the massage I do five different stretches on each length to help stretch out your hips, low back and pelvic floor. At this time your pelvic floor has experienced a lot of trauma and you're starting to feel in other areas such as your hips and low back. Doing these stretches on and off the table can really help your healing process during postpartum. While doing these stretches frequently I can help increase your range of motion and decrease your daily amount of pain.

Low back and Glutes

It's no shock that you're low back will be sore after giving birth. I spend extra time on these areas during my postpartum sessions using various different techniques. By working on the glutes, I'm helping to affect the hips and the low back, while working on the low back, my goal is to help loosen and strengthen your low back to help you through the stages of postpartum. I can teach you at home, stretches and techniques to help strengthen your back and I will do techniques during our sessions together to help promote these things.

Target areas

Yes, postpartum is one category but everybody has a different body. During these postpartum sessions, there will be specific techniques I'll be using and specific areas I'll be targeting. But I will always be making sure that I'm targeting the specific area that you want. Everybody's experience during postpartum is a little bit different. Meaning you will have different areas of your body being sore. I've seen it all, and I will have a technique for almost anything. Don't be shy to speak up on the specific areas you want to spend a little extra time on during your session.

NSM Perinatal Mission

During my perinatal massage sessions I look forward to giving you the peace and relaxation that is needed during these times. I look forward to helping you release the tension and soreness within your body, and help bring you back to your body as one. Specifically during postpartum, it can feel like a very confusing exhausting time, my goal is to be there for you to pamper you. I want to be the one hour throughout your day or you can focus on absolutely nothing and get fully pampered. During the sessions, I'm here to take care of you, and help you through your specific journey of parenthood. I understand being a mom is a full-time job within itself, so my goal is to give you the tranquility you deserve.