Pregnancy Massage

[YO! Eighth Account]

I need some tips and how to's on Pregnancy Massage. I have not been "officially trained" on massage for pregnant women, but I do know that there are certain spots on the body to avoid. Can anyone give me a quick rundown of what to do and what not to do? I really appreciate it!!

Jen

 

[NM-47]

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[Dogzzz]

Now that I receive pregnancy massage I can say how comfortable a Snoogle is. http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3357&highlight=snoogles They are great!

I have been having more pain between the shoulders - from my breasts increasing a cup-size in a few months.
I have been having more lower back (SI-joint) and hip/piriformis pain.

The wedges work great for a "Seated" postition.
I have also done massage with the client facing the table while straddling a backwards chair (head on pillow-placed on table). I like that position better for working the back then having them sidelying.

Make sure to watch your use of anything that smells. Smells are much stronger during pregnancy - that also applies to what you eat. Garlic! Yuck!
Watch the pressure points.
No lying flat on back

That is all that comes to mind at the moment. I do recommend that you get the extra training in pregnancy massage.

 

[Kevin K]

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[David S]

Macalla and Masthera, I really appreciate your GREAT advice. I have a mommy's group that I am going to massage next month and 2 of the ladies are preggo. I'm going to read and re-read your comments and use the methods you talked about.

If you don't mind explaining a little more the "seated position". I am having a hard time visualizing sitting in a backwards chair with the head on a pillow resting on the table. Did I read something wrong?? I too, would prefer to massage on back instead of sidelined and I'm trying to figure out how their heads actually fit on the table.

What I gather from you both is that you do the back and shoulders seated and the legs sidelined, right??

Thanks again for your time

Jen

 

[Wondrousburrito]

If you don't mind explaining a little more the "seated position". I am having a hard time visualizing sitting in a backwards chair with the head on a pillow resting on the table. Did I read something wrong?? I too, would prefer to massage on back instead of sidelined and I'm trying to figure out how their heads actually fit on the table.

After I though about it, I used a stool more often than a chair. The chair has to be low in the back - too high won't work and the stool can't move.
They just sit and lean forward into the pillow - like resting your head on a desk.

What I gather from you both is that you do the back and shoulders seated and the legs sidelined, right??

If I have room (which at my home office I don't anymore) I do the back and shoulders seated with the stool. Now I do the shoulders when they are seated (with a wedge or with the table tilted up - table option I have). I do the legs both sidelying and seated.

 

[sunlightsky]

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[Wai]

I also don't recommend the massage tables with holes in the middle for the stomach. They look great but it places a lot of strain on the discs in lower back.

Totally agree with that, plus some of the cushioning systems that have the belly hanging down are just as bad, BUT a bodyCushion, which allows for a position between being on all fours and flat with belly hanging out a hole in the table, is really good. The clients feel like they are lying on their belly, but their in a supported all fours position. I get so many clients that slept on their stomachs before they were pregnant because I state they will be able to lay face down. I've had my bodyCushion for over 8 years, and I covered the cost of the system in less than a month.

There are a lot of other points than just the webbing on the hand and above the ankle, shoulders, below the ankle, little toe.... goes on and on..... I thinkiin accupuncture there are 24 forbidden points for pregnancy. Some of them you would never work on (eg the one on the little toe is pretty hard to work), reflexology has a few no go areas.
If anyone is in the first trimester, it's best not to massage them for YOUR saftey.

Old threads (make sure you scroll down, because they start off asking one question and a lot of different info comes out)
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=283
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2266
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2288
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2006
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=73
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3464
http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2300

There are LOTS more old threads, but that gives you a start....

 

[GraceMickaila]

I just want to give a sincere thanks to all responders for the time u took to give me some pointers! I needed em!

Jen

 

[GreenKitteh: Being Green]

....just a quick note....

when my sister was pregnant ages ago, her OB/GYN told her that, in certain individuals not only should the web of the hand and the ankle point not be worked, but, that in late seforum.xxxes of the pregnancy, especially those that are risky, care should be avoid working with the joint between the hip bone and the sacrum itself because of the increase in elasticity of the joints at that point.....

cannot say that this is a truth or a falsehood, just something my dear sis passed along to me along with her Dr's advice not to eat celery or peanut butter in late pregnancy because in extremely susceptible individuals they can induce early labor................

for whatever it's worth

 

[Justin]

pregnancy massage

Hey Jen
As someone who had about a million massages while pregnant, and taught a lot of prenatal yoga, I would really recommend treating your gals in the sidelying position. For massages and for yoga relaxation at the end of a prenatal class, we would bolster or pillow under the head, and personally I would take my MT's pillow and fold it in half so that my head and neck were in line with my spine. I actually bought a small wedge for about $10 from babies r us, because I found that a pillow was too big to put under my considerable belly. With one baby I needed something between my knees, but did not with the 2nd one. You probably want to do more long stroked and kneeding rather than the thumMassagePlanetrk we learn in class, focusing on the fluids in hands and feet.
CU! Christen

 

[Mommy of 3 boys<3]

Here is a link to a site with photos that gives pointers on acupressure points for pregnancy and post natal massage.


http://www.ninemonths.com.au/content_page_1.asp?page_id=148&main_menu_id=7&l1_id=6

 

[Jedi Sapien]

Pregnancy "danger spots"

I have just recently gotten extra schooling in Pregnancy Massage. I highly recommend it. I'm seeing my first client tomorrow (thursday) and I'm so nervous! I got the bodycushions and I'm so excited to use it. Two reasons why I'm posting is:

1. The areas that you are supposed to stay away from when massaging a pregnancy women is the tops of the trapezius and stay away from reflexology on the feet and around the anke. In other words stay away from reflexology.

2. Does anyone use a different type of intake form for pregnant women? If so let me know!!

Thank you

 

[Reza]

Pregnancy "danger spots"

and stay away from reflexology on the feet and around the anke. In other words stay away from reflexology.

Reflexology is perfectly safe when used by a trained practitioner. There are points that are avoided or treated with special care during certain trimesters and for certain conditions. Prenatal Reflexology training is available and highly recommended for those wishing to work on the feet, hands and ears of their expectant clients. In most cases this is in addition to your standard 200-350 hour program in Reflexology.

 

[Lexi]

Here is a link to a site with photos that gives pointers on acupressure points for pregnancy and post natal massage.


http://www.ninemonths.com.au/content_page_1.asp?page_id=148&main_menu_id=7&l1_id=6

I must point out that these acupuncture points are used to induce labor in patients of acupuncturists who have reached their due date or are overdue. My acupuncturist has an infertility and prenatal practice and she has printed and handed out that exact article for her patients' husbands when she cannot assist them during labor in the hospital!

 

[joy_gone_wild]

I did a pregnancy massage today! It was fun. She is due in 2-3 weeks, and she and the doc want the baby OUT! haha. We did the whole massage side-lying except for the last 5 minutes or so. When we turned her face up for the last couple of minutes, the baby was sitting on her side and her belly was totally lopsided, we got a good laugh out of it. By the time she sat up, the baby had moved back to center again.

I love working on pregnant women.

 

[FizzbinLogic]

2. Does anyone use a different type of intake form for pregnant women? If so let me know!!

I use a different intake from for new clients. I just ask the important questions of existing ones and put them on their travel card.

 

[Jaguar Jones is uncouth]

Pregnancy "danger spots"

Does anyone use a different type of intake form for pregnant women? If so let me know!!

I don't use a different form, but I do include on my standard form are you pregnant or trying to become pregnant? and if pregnant, due date

 

[ElleZ]

Avoid essential oils and use only a pure vegetable oil. NOTHING WITH A SCENT, no matter how subtle you may think it is. First trimester, you need to be alert for dizziness, especially after sitting up. They may not look pregnant yet, but if their first months are at all like mine then they may be exhausted and thoroughly miserable from everything from constant nausea/vomiting to hormonally-induced runny nose, acne, and migraine, frequent need to hit the bathroom, and extreme fatigue. t096 Be extra sweet. Offer a rolled-up hand towel just like you would your larger breasted clients, because growing a cup size in four weeks really hurts!

I'm another advocate of the sitting and sidelying positions (left side, please), using pillows and bolsters to properly position the body. Sidelying avoids any possibility of intrauterine pressure that is a risk with prone position on cushions (a definite no-no for women diagnosed with fetal blood supply concerns and/or uterine competence) and it also avoids the joint compression and shortened posterior musculature that is a problem with the cut-out tables.

An excellent beginning reference to have on-hand is Carole Osborne-Sheets' "Pre-and Perinatal masasge Therapy". It goes into further detail that will supplement specialized training (and help you avoid potentially critical mistakes until you complete that training). At the very least you need to know basics like avoiding stretching too far (because of relaxin), the precise points to avoid and WHY, conditions to watch for, physical and emotional changes to take into account pre and post birth for your clients.

While pregnant women and their babies are basically pretty sturdy, pregnancy massage should never be a casual undertaking. And a well-cared-for pregnant client is loyal for life.