|
 |
Mothers come first in my book ....expectant moms, new moms, teen moms, step moms and grandmas. If we nurture mothers, then our children will be truly cared for.
It is hard, sometimes impossible to take care of others if we don't take care of ourselves first. Every mother works tremendously hard to parent well and lovingly from the moment she becomes pregnant to the day her child leaves home - and beyond. Parenting is a physical, mental and emotional challenge with all the accompanying laughter and tears. Through massage and bodywork, I provide a way for women to nurture themselves during this extraordinary time called motherhood.
Pregnant women often gain 25 - 40 pounds or more in a mere 9 months. This weight gain combined with drastically changing hormones can amount to considerable physical and emotional discomfort and much moodiness at times! Touch which is centering and calming is vital to a mother's psychological and physiological well-being, helping her adapt to her new body image.
In many cultures massage is an integral part of prenatal care, an important way for women to care for themselves during pregnancy.
Bodywork during pregnancy helps to:
- provide emotional support and nurturing touch
- provide relaxation
- relieve stress on weight-bearing joints (ankles, low back, pelvis)
- alleviate neck and back pain caused by muscle imbalance and weakness
- assist in maintaining proper posture
- reduce swelling
One of the first questions I am often asked is
"How can I lie on a massage table when I am 8 1/2 months pregnant?"
I have a very comfortable, padded table with just the right number and size pillows so that you can lie safely on your side, with your body and pregnant belly completely supported.
Another question is "Can I still have massage if my pregnancy is complicated?" Absolutely! Midwives and physicians do not restrict massage when the therapist is specially trained and experienced in working with pregnant clients. For example, massage can be enormously helpful if you are a pregnant and on bed rest.
And let's not forget the new mom. Postpartum massage is designed to help restore your body to it's pre-pregnancy condition and to address the demands of breastfeeding and the physical and emotional stresses of carrying and caring for a newborn.
A typical session is an hour long and can include discussion of your health status, review of exercises and stretches and hands on bodywork.
My fee is based on a sliding scale.
"Bridget's massages have sustained me through two pregnancies: both as a treat when I'm tired and heavy as well as for specific aches and pains. In the eighth month of my second pregnancy the pain in my back worsened, getting to the point where I could no longer sit at my computer (and I needed to finish that chapter before the baby arrived!) I called Bridget. ...she asked careful questions about my pain, both before and during my massage and - as usual - was very attentive and attuned to my specific aches and needs. After she finished working on the hurting side, it seemed to feel inches longer than the other side: she had completely ironed out the tension and the cramped muscles. I have no idea how she did it, but 5 weeks later, my pain has not returned."
"I have had side massages for years as lying on my stomach general hurts my back. Bridget sets me up very comfortably hugging a wonderful long pillow. I have continued to go to her even though I am nowhere close to pregnant."
|
|
