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Prenatal Massage in FrederickPrenatal Massage for you and your BellyBy Denise Ordonio, Licensed Massage Therapist and co-founder of Holistic Health Associates
As
a mother of three, I know the tremendous changes the body goes through
during pregnancy.
The obvious one that comes to mind is rapid weight gain. As our abdomen
grows,
the curve in our spines shift, and increased weight creates a sensation
of carrying around
a large bag of potatoes that can never be put down. We wake up feeling
pains in places
we never knew existed. As a result of the physical changes, muscles in
our neck, back,
hips, legs and feet start screaming for help. As if that wasn’t enough,
our feet and legs
start to swell like water balloons. Next we experience high levels of
stress surrounding
our upcoming delivery. We have so much to think about and all we can dream
of is a vacation! That’s where massage therapy can benefit us as well
as our babies.
I received my first massage right after the birth of my second child. To this day I will never forget how nurturing it was and the sense of calm I felt upon leaving the office. It was like a mini vacation that lasted an hour but seemed so much longer. I was amazed by my overall feeling of relief. Recalling the therapist mention that of all of her clients pregnant women and new mothers were her favorites, really struck a chord with me. Her joy in helping us through this time was one of the catalysts for my shift into a career in massage therapy. During the first trimester, our goal is to get comfortable in our pregnancy. I recommend starting prenatal massage during the second and third trimester. A certified massage therapist will have you fill out a health history form prior to the first appointment, to learn of any areas of concern or complications. If complications are present, the therapist may require approval from a primary health care provider before proceeding with any bodywork. Circumstances in which massage should not be performed are heavy discharge (watery or bloody), preeclampsia, contagious illness, fever, vomiting, high blood pressure, morning sickness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or any malignant condition. For the majority of women though, prenatal massage is a safe and wonderful experience. Massage during pregnancy focuses on the special needs of a mother to be. Prenatal massage can reduce pain and discomfort on weight bearing joints such as the ankles, lower back and pelvis. It can help with the changes in your posture and create an overall sensation of balance. The popularity of prenatal massage is the result of a trend toward a more comprehensive level of wellness. Massage is also beneficial to a woman during the postpartum period. It facilitates the realignment of the spine, pelvis and muscles stretched by pregnancy and labor, easing the physical strain of carrying and caring for a newborn baby. Today's pregnant women – along with other health care consumers – are looking for complimentary approaches to support traditional health services. Massage is the simplest and most relaxing of these approaches. Above all, you and your belly will be comforted and soothed.
Denise
Ordonio is a national- and state-certified Licensed Massage Therapist
and has worked with pregnant women in hospitals, clinics, fitness
industries, and private settings. She is the cofounder of Holistic
Health Associates, located in downtown Frederick. Her specialties
include, but not limited to: Ashiatsu, Myofascial, and sports massage.
She may be contacted at Acupuncture
Frederick MD or (301) 6201414.
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