Prenatal Massage in Kalispell and the Flathead Valley
First, NO, I do not offer this service at my massage therapy office in Kalispell, Mt. I have no interest in this field, but have plenty of knowledge from my education during massage school in Kalispell, MIMT; I graduated in 2011. To review my services like deep tissue massage in Kalispell, kinesio taping, outcall, ashiatsu, and chair massage, click HERE for my website. So you’re pregnant, your back hurts, your feet hurt, and you need some relief. YES massage therapy can relieve pregnancy discomfort. YES there are contraindications, special needs that must be addressed, and certainly things to be avoided or restricted when you receive massage therapy in Kalispell while with child. First lets address the obvious. How can a woman who’s pregnant get comfortable on a massage table? There are massage tables that have built in stomach and breast recesses for pregnant women, and similar attachments that can be added to a regular massage table. However in our area in the Flathead Valley, most therapists do not have these tools available in their offices.
The answer is the side-lying position. In a regular massage session, most therapists start with the client face down and half way through the session the client turns over on their back. Side-lying is a unique position that massage therapists utilize not only for pregnant women, but also for clients who may have sinus, weight, or IT band issues. A pillow is provided for the clients head, and another for them to put between their knees or rest their top leg on. Draping is still used for modesty, and of course blankets for warmth if necessary. This is a very, very comfortable position to be in as a client whether you are pregnant or not. It’s just not the ideal position for the therapist to get the pressure they sometimes need, especially for clients suffering back pain.
The next concern I will discuss here; which trimester are you currently in? Pregnant clients will fill out a medical history form like everyone else, but much more in depth, and a more thorough intake consultation. The safest time to receive massage is during the 2nd trimester. Regarding 1st and 3rd trimester, well, there’s just a lot more that can go wrong for mom and baby during those times, and although all licensed Kalispell massage therapists carry insurance, no one wants to be sued.
Aromatherapy is another factor that needs attention. Pregnant women may feel ill from smells that they actually enjoyed when they weren’t pregnant. I diffuse doTERRA essential oils in my office, and use oils and cremes that are non-scented and paraben-free, adding essential oils as applicable. Rose, Jasmine, Clary Sage, and Rosemary are four oils that must be avoided by pregnant women.
In bigger cities you’ll find therapists who specialize in pregnancy massage, and have actually built their practice around it. Here at Johnny Cochrane Massage Therapy, Llc., I respectfully decline, and currently refer pre-natal massage therapy requests to my friends Heather Reddig in Kalispell, and Emily Dulac in Whitefish. CHEERS!
