Massage Therapy

Pregnancy Massage

Gentle and nurturing, this massage focuses on the needs of the mother. Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body endures tremendous stress due to dramatic physical and emotional changes. Using various techniques specially developed for the expecting mother, Pregnancy Massage can relieve the discomforts associated with pregnancy. It increases the mothers awareness to her areas of tension. Massage enhances the relaxation experience. This is an important practice before the birth experience. 

The benefits are profound, including:

• Helps relieve nausea
• Increase circulation
• Increases flow of nutrients to the placenta
• Aids in postural realignment
• Gives relief to joint discomfort
• Relieves minor edema by aiding venous return
• Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
• Fetus receives gentle massage and relaxation benefits
• Teaches awareness of body and tension patterns

Postpartum Massage

Massage in the postpartum period helps the body into it’s pre-pregnancy alignment. A massage within the first week of postpartum feels wonderful.  It flushes lactic acid out of the tissues relieving sore and achy muscles.

• It supports and enhances the healing process, with a focus on the pelvis and ribs.
• It assists breastfeeding and may be effective at alleviating some breastfeeding difficulties.
• Aids in the process of the Uterus returning to its normal size, Release shoulder, neck and arm tension from the care and feeding of an infant.
• Helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to help reduce fatigue.
• Supports fluid balancing
• Encourages pelvic and abdominal in returning to pre-pregnancy positions.

*Onsite services may be available for new mothers within the first month postpartum who are otherwise unable to leave their home. 

Labor Support Massage

May be performed by a massage therapist, a birth partner or doula. Techniques include relaxation strokes, jaw release techniques, lower back pain compression and movement with massage, such as squatting and pressure points. Massage has been shown to reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention.

Infant Massage

Infant Massage is a style of bodywork designed specifically to promote the healthy development of your infant. Caring human touch is crucial for a healthy thriving baby, and the benefits of massaging your infant are potent and numerous. For example, many infants show improved growth and development of the brain and nervous system. Infant massage has also been shown to improve the quality of a baby's sleep, as well as strengthening their immune system.

• Aids in bonding process between parent and child
• Increases communication skills through touch
• Alleviates digestive discomfort (colic)
• Supports the growth of nerve pathways
• Enhances sleep

   

Swedish Massage

Swedish Massage is a very relaxing and therapeutic style of bodywork. It combines oils or lotion with an array of strokes such as rolling, kneading, and percussion to help the body improve its circulation. The benefits of this type of bodywork are wide-ranging and include relief from aches and pains, decreased stress levels in the body, enhanced mental clarity, improved appearance, and greater flexibility.

Myofascial Release

Myofascial release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended to eliminate pain, increase range of motion, and rebalance the entire body. It does this by using massage techniques to stretch the fascia and release the bonds that exist between the fascia, muscles and bones. Fascia is the connective tissue that connects and covers all muscles, organs, and skeletal structures of the body. Direct myofascial release is sometimes known as deep tissue work. Indirect release applies light pressure and gently stretches the fascia; this allows for increased blood circulation and relief from pain.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger Point Therapy is a style of bodywork that focuses on stimulating and releasing "trigger points" in your body. Trigger points are tender areas of tension similar to acupressure points, except they occur in the belly of the muscle rather than along the energy pathways of the body. These "knots" are built up throughout a person's life due to physical, mental, and/or emotional stress. During a session, focused pressure is applied through a variety of techniques especially Myofascial Release in order to release your trigger points. This process can be quite painful at times, yet the effects are lasting and profoundly transformative.

Hot Stone Therapy

Hot Stone Therapy is a style of massage where heated stones are placed at specific sites on your body to deepen relaxation and promote circulation in your muscles. Muscles that are heated with these stones release tension and stress much more deeply and quickly than with a traditional massage. The overall experience is very relaxing, nurturing, and rejuvenating. Hot stones are also a key element in Postnatal Massage therapy, used to restore vital energy lost in childbirth.

Holistic Wellness Coaching

The mission and philosophy of Instinctive Mind Body Wellness is to:

• Guide you in developing your profound sense of personal presence

• Empower you to act upon an intuitive sense of self-awareness

• Take practical steps towards achieving your wellness goals

My approach to health coaching involves something I call Terrain Mapping, based upon the values of Ayurvedic wisdom. This ancient system for lifestyle wellness takes a deeper look beyond the body-disease relationships by digging deeper into the roots of the person as well as the soil from which that person came which together make up our unique body type. Your body knows what is good and bad for it; nature has built the correct instincts into you from birth.  This is especially important while we are preparing our bodies for conception, during and after pregnancy.  Together, we look at your strengths and how we can  nurture your innate ability to live a more vibrant life through dynamic lifestyle changes and practical life skills.

To learn more about health coaching and sign up for updates, Click here now.