Pregnancy Massage

[zaid h]

Hi All

Could you tell me how you feel its best to provide pregnancy massage e.g. on a bean bag, a couch etc.

Thank you

 

[vcrrvvor]

sorry ive no idea but maybe post this in the massage section someone there might know or already provide this service so could answer you better?

paula
xxx

 

[Shuthrower]

On a couch -sidelying and then client on their back with the back of the couch raised.

There are also specifically made body cushions for pregnant client to lie face down on. Never used them so I cant comment on how clients like them.

Not sure about on a bean bag - I assume it would be on the floor and will put your back out unless someone can show you how to work effectively.

 

[Christy]

Hi K

More info on this recently on Hp: http://www.healthypages.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=73261

Best Wishes

RP

 

[Caitriona]

I use and recommend/rave about/swear by a bodyCushion
Best thing for massage I've ever purchased, paid for itself thousands of times over (I've had mine for over 10years, and still going strong) I got mine online from US last century when buying things over $100 online was pretty uncommon. I am so glad I did!
It's also extremely comfortable for any one with a large chest, natural or implants, and when I did some damage to L5-S1 joint, it was the only way I could sleep, so it's not just for pregnant clients.

I've done a few pregnancy massage courses where it was taught side lying, very important getting the training to know where to avoid, but the side lying routines I found uncomfortable for me to do. With them face down, you just do your normal routine avoiding all the places to avoid, and it's much easier on your body than lunging and trying not to twist for side lying.
I've only had 2 clients I didn't think would fit in the bodyCushion (one was almost 8 months with twins, the other was a huge baby), and I've only had 3 people say they didn't like facedown, but the bodyCushion makes side lying much easier too, so it's fast and easy to chnage the cushions to get them comfortable side lying, so that's 5 people out of over 1000 pregnant clients that I've used the bodyCushion with.

The couches with the hole in the middle are totally another matter, they are NOT good, it's not comfortable lying over a hole when you are not pregnant so why anyone thinks lying over a hole becomes more comfortable when you are pregnant I don't understand.

There is a UK lilo with a hole, a holo, that raises the hips up a bit (which is how the bodyCushion works) Until the mother to be gets really big, that could work very well for facedown with the lilo on the couch, and it's a lot cheaper than a bodyCushion, plus retail opportunites for babymoons, the last holiday away before the baby changes life forever. (babymoon is also sometimes used for the bonding time after the baby arrives, which makes it a confusing idea) I use the bodyCushion for treatments and retail the holo.

******* added ******* I am not affiliated with any of the websites I've mentioned. Do NOT try to buy the holo from me, I'm not in UK and it will be much more expensive than buying it from the holo website directly. Both are just good products I use/recommend/suggest.

 

[Ryce :)]

Hello

For pregnant clients I have treated, the two most comfortable positions seem to have been seated on a chair or lying on a couch on their side supported by pillows in between knees, under head and sometimes around bump.

It's important that they are not massaged lying on their front (obviously) but also on their back is a problem. There's a great book called Massage and Pregnancy (by Bette Waters) that gives a clear understanding of what adjustments need to be made, but also why, (she goes into detail of the changes that occur during pregnancy and how a pregnant woman may feel about them.)

Good luck,

 

[cxegwutzijgiopewd]

Sorry - realised I had put it in the wrong section.

Thank you all for your replies. I am going to be doing the course in September and was wondering what other people thought would be best. The bodycushion does sound good, maybe worth the investment.

Thank you

 

[LilMonster]

When I did one of my pregnancy massage courses many years ago, the Bette Waters book was the textbook, it is good. At the time Elaine Stillerman had a book called Mother Massage, but it was mainly directed at the partner working on them. Elaine Stillerman now has a book called Prenatal Massage: A Texbook of Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Bodywork it is probably the definitive pregnancy massage book, lots and lots and lots of info, it even comes with a DVD, pricey, but worth it if this is an area of interest.

 

[corin xx]

Thanks for the post Kumari you've now answered a couple of my own questions! I'm doing a pregnancy massage course in Sept too!