Services

Prenatal Massage

“For over 20 years I have provided massage therapy to expecting mothers in Ann Arbor. I learned during both of my pregnancies the profound impact of massage and how it helped to relieve most of my physical complaints,” recalls Heidi Johnson, owner and Operator of Thrive Massage and Bodywork, LLC in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “I am also very excited to have 4 LMT’s join my practice who also provide prenatal massage. All of our LMT’s at Thrive have trained and practiced prenatal massage with me.”

 

At Thrive Massage, all of our LMT’s are trained to provide prenatal massage. Even if they have prenatal experience before they join my Ann Arbor massage practice I train them again and review all of the important features and safety considerations for our prenatal clientele. We do both hands-on training as well as reading articles and studying continuing education modules thru the American Massage Therapy Assocation. Because of our highly trained staff I feel confident that we are offering a nurturing and safe prenatal massage while also keeping in mind  the awareness that each prenatal client is different and requires special positioning accomodations on the table. As baby grows so does mom! Mom needs to be very comfortable to achieve maximum relaxation and we are here to help with that!

Today, the data is catching up with the experience. Studies have found that prenatal massage can be an effective path to control anxiety and depression while bringing much-needed relief for aching muscles and painful joints.

“I received my prenatal massages from a woman named Audrey Simon, a well-known prenatal and infant massage specialist in Ann Arbor, who sadly passed away in 2007. Audrey educated me on how to approach a pregnant body with confidence and that using a deeper touch when massaging pregnant woman was actually not contraindicated as some professionals may suggest. Working with a pregnant client is incredibly rewarding because we are experiencing, together, an intimate and beautiful time of life that is precious and joyous.”

Thanks in part to Audrey, today Heidi has a healthy girl and boy.

Researchers working over the past decade have concluded that the relaxation and stress reduction that can result from regular massage therapy also can produce an improved prenatal hormonal state. Pregnant women who schedule regular massage may find themselves less moody while enjoying improved cardiovascular health so crucial to the health of the newborn child.

“Pregnancy is a sacred time of life,” Heidi observes, “and expecting mothers can benefit from a prenatal massage. Take an hour out of your week to deeply engage with your baby’s movement and to experience the interesting changes happening around your hip joints, rib cage, and lower back. The powerful connection between mom and baby is revealed as mom feels her baby moving during the massage session and perhaps even noticing how engaged the baby is in response to how relaxed mom becomes.”  

Outside of everyday life and work, a pregnant woman’s body is subject to significant metabolic and muscular change. Swedish massage and other prenatal techniques in our repertoire help offset the common aches and pains that occur during a pregnancy and can help the expecting mother achieve a better hormonal balance.

“As your baby begins to grow you will experience many different sensations throughout your body. During your massage session we will discuss how you are feeling, both physically and emotionally, and what position will be the most comfortable on the table,” explains Heidi, who, after all, has been a receiver as well as the giver of expert prenatal massage.

Correctly applied to different muscle groups of the body, prenatal massage stimulates lymphatic and blood circulation while relieving muscle tension. Stress hormones norepinephrine and cortisol were reduced in a study of pregnant women who received five weeks of bi-weekly massage, while depression-associated hormones of dopamine and serotonin were observed to increase.

The optimal changes in hormonal rates are also associated with fewer complications during labor and healthier birth weights of newborn children.

“Usually after 15-18 weeks laying belly down becomes uncomfortable so we will switch to a side-lying position. In this position you will be surprised at how relaxed you feel, as well as how I can access many pressure points located in the neck, shoulder, lower back, hips, and glutes.

“As you near the end of your pregnancy in your third trimester, you will notice more swelling around your ankles and feet. During this time, I work with gentle and repetitive lymphatic techniques to encourage that fluid to flow back up the legs thereby decreasing swelling and stiffness. The end result for you is more freedom of movement, greater ease and function as well as relaxation and calm.  

Potential benefits of massage therapy for pregnant mothers include:

  • Reduction of stress, anxiety and depression.
  • Reduced Edema (swelling of joints) that may be caused as increased pressure by the expanding uterus impinges on major blood vessels, reducing circulation.
  • Reduced nerve pain by stimulating the lymphatic systems to speed the processing of tissues waste and reduce buildup of fluids in joints.
  • Better control of sciatic nerve pain as the growing uterus presses again muscles of the pelvis and lower back and spreads tensions to the upper and lower leg.
  • Reduced muscle tension and headaches.
  • Improved emotional stability with less stress, frustration, anger and anxiety.
  • Improved oxygen flow to the soft muscles and tissues.
  • Better and deeper sleep with improved appreciation of and tolerance for the prenatal process.

“Check with your physician before beginning a schedule of prenatal massage,” counsels Heidi. “If you have experienced bleeding or are experiencing pre-term contractions, tell your doctor before you receive a massage.”

Also be sure to carefully discuss any of these conditions with your prenatal health care provider before beginning a prenatal massage therapy program:

“When you coordinate a program of professional prenatal massage therapy with the tests and recommendations of your doctor, you can more effectively manage your comfort and health and the health of your child through term,” explains the 20-year veteran licensed massage therapist.

“It certainly helped me enjoy my pregnancy and to bear the healthy children I am so thankful to have,” Heidi says.

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