At home pregnancy massage-prenatal or maternity

Pregnancy massage is a safe and effective way to help relieve some of the tension and stress that can be part of your pregnancy.

No more having to worry about driving to go get a massage, especially while you are pregnant

May also help improve labor outcome, newborn health, and post-partum healing

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Pregnancy Massage (prenatal or maternity massage)

Are you pregnant and want/or need a great massage?

Are you suffering from low back pain, sore hips, tight shoulders, stiff neck or any of the number of discomforts that being pregnant can cause?

Have a professional massage therapist that is properly trained and state licensed, come to your home and give you a great massage that is very relaxing but can also help give you some relief from some of the discomforts that can be a part of being pregnancy.

Pregnancy massage is a style of massage specifically for pregnant women. It can help with low back pain, hip pain, ease some of the stress your body goes through while being pregnant, and it is great for mom and baby. It is completely safe for mom and baby, and it can help ease the birthing process and recovery time.

Of course, getting a massage while pregnant should be discussed with your doctor prior to scheduling an appointment.

The pregnancy massage that I do tends to be more on the therapeutic side and not a light 'fluffy' massage, though I can do lighter work if that is what you need or want. A lot of places will not work a lot of the areas that really need the work and/or just do a light Swedish type massage, which give little relief to the aches and pains that you may be experiencing.

Mobile massage appointments are available 7 days a week to woman all over the Phoenix valley, whether you live in Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale or beyond. I can also provide a great massage for your partner as well, pregnancy can be tough for both of you, and a great massage for each of you can really help.

Benefits of Getting a Pregnancy Massage

Massage has many great benefits for all people, but especially for pregnant woman. The Touch Research Institute @ University of Miami has done several studies that have shown the benefits of receiving massages while pregnant, such as:
   ·   Reduced back, leg and joint pain
· Reduced muscle tension and headaches
·   Increased lymph system function, helps reduce swelling and elimination of waste
·   Improved oxygenation to cells, baby is more nourished as well
·   Better sleep
·   Increased levels of dopamine and serotonin, the feel good hormones
·   Decreased levels of stress hormones, helps reduce complications during pregnancy and labor
·   Improved labor outcomes and newborn health
   ·   Reduced postpartum healing time, physically and mentally

If you are considering getting a pregnancy massage it is important to receive the massage from a properly trained licensed massage therapist. Most schools teach the basic do's and don’ts of pregnancy massage, but a properly trained pregnancy massage therapist will have taken additional training.

The additional training classes I have taken were done at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts and with Anna Lunaria, a mother, licensed massage therapist with 17+ year's experience, and an anatomy and massage instructor with 13+ years. This additional training has taught me how to properly give a more therapeutic massage for pregnant woman to really help give them some relief.

What to Expect for Your Massage

For your pregnancy massage, you can lay on your stomach up to about 12 weeks, as long as there is no discomfort. I can provide a Body Cushion support system to help with your comfort. You can lay on your back up to about 20 weeks. After that time, or before if it’s more comfortable, you will be lying on your side with pillows to help keep you comfortable and support you. Your and your baby’s comfort are one of the most important things, if you experience any discomfort during the massage please notify me immediately so adjustments can be made.

During your massage, you back, hips, legs, feet, arms, neck, head, and belly (only if it is ok with you) will be massaged. The techniques used will help relieve some of the tension and discomfort, while still being safe for you and the baby.

Frequently Asked Questions for Pregnancy Massage

Is receiving a massage while pregnant safe?

It is my belief that is not only safe but that it is a great benefit, for mother and baby. It is, however, best to let your doctor know that you are considering receiving a massage. If your pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy it must be discussed with me beforehand.

During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of changes and getting regular massages can help the body adjust more easily and can help your body recover faster after the birth. It is, however, important to receive a pregnancy massage from a properly trained therapist, as there is different positioning required and certain areas that should be avoided in general and areas that should not be worked as deeply as done during a regular massage.

Can I receive a massage in my first trimester of pregnancy?

In general it is best not to make any changes during your first trimester, but if you have been receiving massages regularly before getting pregnant I do not believe there is any reason not to continue with them. It is still possible to receive a massage during the first trimester, even if you have not received one before, but it will generally be a much lighter massage.

Before scheduling an appointment, it is best to discuss with your doctor your desire to get massages and they can discuss with you any concerns they may have.

What is considered a high risk pregnancy?

Though this is not a completely inclusive list, the general guidelines are:
    ·   Maternal age below 20 or over 35 years old
    ·   Maternal weight - extremely under or overweight
    ·   Maternal (chronic) illness - heart disease, diabetes, MS, asthma, hypertension, lupus, etc.
    ·   History of PID (pelvic inflammatory disease), STD's (sexually transmitted diseases), or endometriosis
    ·   History of miscarriage or premature birth
    · Having multiples - twins, triplets, etc.
    ·   More than 5 pregnancies
    ·   Fetal abnormalities

Is it possible to get a massage if I am considered a high risk pregnancy?

In general, I would say yes though it is best to discuss it with me when scheduling the appointment. A lot of the issues that are considered high risk just need to be noted and the massage adjusted to make sure it doesn't affect the health of mom or the baby.

Testimonials

Here is some testimonials from pregnant women that I have worked on.

"Rachel came through for me in a pinch when I really needed a prenatal massage. The massage was fabulous! I also appreciated that her communication was clear--she was clear on what I wanted/needed, checked in with me throughout the massage, and made sure she covered everything at the end!"
Amberly B, Counselor
Phoenix, AZ

Studies for Pregnancy Massage

For the studies listed below and many more please see Touch Research Institute

Field, T. (2010). Pregnancy and labor massage therapy. Expert Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 5, 177-181
"Women who received massage therapy reported decreased depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain. Cortisol levels decreased and, in turn, excessive fetal activity decreased, and the rate of prematurity was lower in the massage group. In a study of labor pain, women who received massage therapy experienced significantly less pain, and their labors were on average 3 h shorter with less need for medication. An underlying mechanism we have been exploring is that these effects are mediated by increased vagal activity."

Field, T., Hernandez-Reif, M., Hart, S., Theakston, H., Schanberg, S., Kuhn, C. & Burman, I. (1999). Pregnant women benefit from massage therapy. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 20, 31-38.
"Twenty-six pregnant women were assigned to a massage therapy or a relaxation therapy group for 5 weeks. Both groups reported feeling less anxious after the first session and less leg pain after the first and last session. Only the massage therapy group, however, reported reduced anxiety, improved mood, better sleep and less back pain by the last day of the study."

Latifses, V., Bendell Estroff, D., Field, T., & Bush, J. (2005). Father massaging and relaxing their pregnant wives lowered anxiety and facilitated marital adjustment. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 9, 277-82.
"Fathers learned to massage their pregnant wives conducted progressive muscle relaxation. Massage therapy lowered the fathers’ anxiety and improved marital adjustment."

Field, T., Diego, M., Hernandez-Reif, M., Deeds, O. & Figueiredo, B. (2009). Pregnancy massage reduces prematurity, low birth weight and postpartum depression. Infant Behavior & Development, 32, 454-460.
"Pregnant women diagnosed with major depression were given 12 weeks of twice per week massage therapy by their significant other or only standard treatment as a control group. The massage therapy group women versus the control group women not only had reduced depression by the end of the therapy period, but they also had reduced depression and cortisol levels during the postpartum period. Their newborns were also less likely to be born prematurely and low birth weight, and they had lower cortisol levels and performed better on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment habituation, orientation and motor scales."

Appointments available in the Phoenix, AZ area and beyond; including Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Mesa, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, Paradise Valley, Apache Junction, Higley, San Tan Valley, Queen Creek and beyond.

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Traveling massage is also known as: in home massage, at home massage, house call massage, in room massage, mobile massage, on call massage, on site massage, out call massage, on location massage, pool side massage

You can get a great massage if you are in your own home, rental home, condo, apartment, resort, vacation home, hotel, office, hospital, convalescent care, hospice care, or at an event.

All Massage therapy appointments are provided by a professionally trained Arizona State Licensed Massage Therapist (also known as LMT). Licensed massage therapists are also known as certified or registered massage therapist.