Massage Therapy

The benefits of massage reach all aspects of change in pregnancy, including mental, physical, and emotional, end encourage health in each one.

Even welcome change is stressful and can sap your energy for coping day to day. Stress has many negative effects on pregnancy including: weakened immune system, nausea and vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure-which in turn could lead to higher risk in pregnancy for complications. Massage can counteract the effects of stress by:

• Relaxing the mind and body
• Decreasing blood pressure
• Decreasing stress hormones
• Increasing feel good hormones (serotonin, endorphins, oxytocin).

Pregnancy can be emotionally draining. Receiving attentive, caring touch in a nurturing space can be very rejuvenating. Massage can also help the pregnant woman emotionally by:

• Increasing feel good hormones, which can decrease anxiety and depression.
• Allowing her to embrace her changing body in a positive way, taking charge of her pregnancy for a more satisfying birth outcome.

Prenatal massage focuses specifically on the muscles and ligaments that are affected by the changing body. Massage helps to:

• Reduce muscle cramps and painful trigger points
• Relieve pain in the muscles and joints of the legs, back, and pelvis
• Increase flexibility
• Ease constipation, gas, and heartburn
• Reduce excess fluid retention
• Slow the process of varicose veins by increasing blood and lymph circulation
• Relieve headaches

Prenatal massage focuses specifically on the needs of the pregnant body. Birth Works Massage Therapists, Cora and Mary, will use special bolsters and pillows to support the body through all stages of pregnancy. You will not only receive knowledgeable treatment specifically designed for pregnancy, but also learn self care techniques to increase your comfort at home. Birth Works Therapists will give you feedback on posture and suggest gentle stretches and exercises to relieve tension. You might also learn relaxation and breathing exercises to help combat stress in pregnancy that can be used in labor as well.

To schedule an appointment please call 501-663-2850

Massage can help after your baby comes as well. Postpartum massage is an important way to take care of yourself so that you can better care for your baby. Massage can help you handle the physical demands of caring for a newborn by reducing tension and increasing energy. Some other benefits of postpartum massage include:

• Promotes milk letdown and production by reducing tension and increasing capillary blood supple to areas surrounding the breasts.
• Alleviates muscle strain/fatigue caused by labor and delivery.
• Helps to rehabilitate skin, connective tissue and muscles of abdomen through connective tissue massage and other manual techniques.
• Facilitates healing from cesarean section.
• Promotes structural realignment of pelvis.
• Facilitates treatment of postpartum depression.
• We can share techniques with you regarding infant massage that may help your baby relax and sleep better, pass gas or bowel movements with greater ease, and feel more in touch with his/her small body.

To schedule an appointment please call 501-663-2850

When a pregnancy is high risk, Birth Works Massage Therapists might provide you with a release form to give to your caregiver, clearing you to receive massage from our specially trained therapist. Massage is especially beneficial to the high-risk pregnancy, as these women tend to carry more stress and anxiety, have higher blood pressure, and muscle pain due to prolonged bed rest. Massage can help the high risk pregnancy by:

• Decreasing stress hormones,
• Decreasing blood pressure,
• Decreasing anxiety
• Increasing blood flow with better oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby
• Relieving discomfort and muscle strain caused by prolonged rest
• Provide emotional support, reassurance, and education

To schedule an appointment please call 501-663-2850