Massage as a fertility treatment?

[Steven H]

Last week, one of the receptionists where I work wanted to schedule a massage for her daughter.  The conversation started something like this:Her: Hey, I want to schedule an appointment for my daughter.  I was hoping you could help her get pregnant.Me: HUH???? You want me to do what?She went on to explain that her daughter and her son-in-law were having difficulty conceiving a child.  Previously, daughter had gotten a massage on ovulation day to help her stress level and was successful in getting pregnant.  Daughter's schedule didn't work out that day, so the session never happened.Today, I had another client tell me that her daughter was having problems conceiving and the doctor's suspect that her high stress levels were contributing to the problem.  She's also considering massage to help with her fertility.Two inquiries in two weeks has me very curious.  The logic makes perfect sense to me, but it's the first time I've heard mention of increased fertility as a potential benefit of massage.Has anyone else here had similar requests?  I suspect that a very gentle Swedish relaxation massage would be the best approach to address the stress factor, but are there some reflexology or pressure points that could help as well?  If so, where are they?

 

[Pompal 09.]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

Michelle,

You might want to check out these links...

http://www.abmp.com/copypages/magazinepages/articles/AprilMay2002/infertility.html

http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=2485

http://www.applesforhealth.com/AlternativeMedicine/imytfb4.html

Hope they help inspire you!

 

[Catherine H]

I had actually started menopause about 6 months with no period and had just started massage school.  I really believe that getting 4 & 5 massages a week and the relaxation in that environment helped me get pregnant.  I delivered a healthy 8lb 7oz girl in Jan. and 1 1/2 months after went right back to menopause(Dr. has blood tests of hormone levels to prove it ) Massage can not only relax a woman I believe it also regulated my hormone levels enough for me to ovulate at least once!worked for me!

 

[yuehan]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

Congrats Gwinlmbt! That's a great testimonial!Certainly cheaper than In Vitro, and definitely worth a try!

 

[Pompal 09.]

I was approached by an older gentleman at the last non-massage place I worked in.  After he found out that my husband and I were having problem conceiving, he asked if I knew anything about reflexology.  All I knew at the time was that it was done on the hands and feet.  He proceeded to tell me more about he and his wife being trained in reflexology.  He offered to "rub my feet" 3 - 4 times a week on break.  Sadly, we didn't get pregnant, BUT, after a month of sessions with him, that was the first time in my life that I have gone symptom free during my period!  So, it may not have done exactly what I was looking for, but it does have it's benefits!!  I believe that abdominal and ankle/foot massage could greatly benefit those trying - if nothing else, they'll hopefully feel more relaxed!!*A note of caution though - check with them on endometriosis!  Some consider it a contraindication for deeper abdominal work.

 

[Katie M]

make sure you use a reputable reflexologist.  Also make sure your practioner is aware of certain points that are not to be stimulated during pregnacy( you can actually start labor and or miscarriage)

 

[qwerty]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

Thanks for all the information!

 

[Tublet Cuddle Punch]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

What about men with a low sperm count? I am an MT and have been asked about helping a couple relax and promote fertility with massage. Are there any special techniques for low sperm count?ThanksJMC

 

[Angeltress]

Now Ive worked in a birthing center, er, gas station, college and have done massage all over but Ive never heard that one before.   Kinda sounds alittle fishy to me. :-X

 

[thatlaurengirl]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

What about men with a low sperm count? I am an MT and have been asked about helping a couple relax and promote fertility with massage. Are there any special techniques for low sperm count?

Thanks

JMC

Most everyone knows that trigger points refer pain.

It is not so well known that trigger points refer ischemia.

The referral zone of a trigger point becomes ischemic.

If the reproductive organs are in the referral zone of a trigger point the function of those organs will become suppressed.

For low sperm count or low motility, examine muscles that might refer into the testicles, especially the lower aspects of the lateral abdominals. ~a

 

[Eric]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

I am not in any way saying that these ideas/TX don't work, but a word of caution: don't get in over your head. If you are not a qualified infertility specialist, do not promise anything of the sort to your clients. How about instead, asking your client's permission to consult with their OB/GYN to bounce off sound strategies that they can endorse, and that are within your scope of practice? Then you can build a personal history of successes that you can refer to and recount for future similar situations. The actions of massage, its benefits & its consequences are powerful stuff, BUT being a licensed MT doesn't qualify us for treating all situations as an expert. The subject of fetility/infertility is enmeshed with very powerful emotional, physical & psychological issues. Do no harm... to your client nor your credibility.Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Calm-A-Llama-Down]

Jill,I am very careful. I do not proclaim to be an expert in anything. I just try to help the healing process by providing massage for relaxation. I was just asking if anyone knew of some points  that might help.One of these clients is my daughter.ThanksJMC

 

[thiny72]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

And all I am saying is that we are really supposed to refer our clients who have needs that we aren't prepared to meet, to others who are the experts. I am concerned & wrote the post I wrote (even though I knew it might be taken as a challenge... it was not meant that way) for the new and unlicensed therapists out there in school, etc, that look to forums like this for literal advice on how to handle clients. It was not directed at any one of the posting participants specifically. It was, as I wrote, a word of caution.Jill

 

[TheMadProfessor]

Jill,You are right on.  Too often people, not just massage therapists, see something on the internet and a) believe it, b) think this makes them an expert, and c) try to make money off of it.They used to do that with newspapers, which have fallen in the credibility department because we are such a news hungry society.I wish somebody at the Touch Research Inst or an ob/gyn would weigh-n.Earl

 

[Just a girl]

Massage as a fertility treatment?

Here's a URL for the Clear Passage website.  This could answer some of your questions about massage techniques for infertility.  They are very helpful in answering all your questions concerning their techniques.  Be advised - some of the therapies are internal and beyond the scope of an MT in most areas.

http://www.clearpassage.com

TOM BLANCHARD
TouchTech Therapies