Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/149404
ten for today study became pregnant with the help of manual therapy." The data is, of course, preliminary and the size of the test groups is small, but proponents are excited about the possibilities. 6. 9. The Perfect Products Core Products International carries the Baby Hugger and Better Binder, both developed by a physical therapist with a special interest in helping soonto-be moms. The products help relieve backaches and hip pain, plus provide belly support, and the Baby Hugger also addresses bladder issues. Jojoba oil is also great for pregnant clients and newborns—it's nonallergenic, won't clog pores, and softens the skin. "We recommend using it for infant massage and after every diaper change," says Bob Butler, president of The Jojoba Company, which makes Jojoba Baby, an organic jojoba baby oil. "It also eliminates cradle cap." Remember—a client's sensitivities can change throughout the course of her pregnancy, so get her approval before using any new product or scent during the session. 7. Don't Stop Now Judith Koch, director of education at the Institute of Somatic Therapy in Conway, Missouri, has developed a range of methods to make labor easier, and she trains massage doulas to assist women through all stages of pregnancy and delivery. "Studies show that women who are supported by a doula during labor have significantly shorter labors, fewer interventions for pain and from complications, and shorter hospitalizations for mother and baby," Koch says. 8. Help Prepare for Pregnancy Just as massage can be a boon for the pregnant or new mother, it might also assist those trying to get pregnant. Fertility massage is believed by some to improve circulation to the reproductive organs, loosen scar tissue from fallopian tubes, and help maintain a healthy hormonal balance. "Two preliminary medical studies have shown great promise," Koch says. "Seventy-one percent of participants in one study and 53 percent in the other Working with New Moms Massage for the new mom can go from nice to essential in the first few weeks after the baby arrives, says Kate Jordan, founder of Kate Jordan Seminars. "I like to think about my sessions with postpartum women as being my opportunities to give them a spa massage, to cosset them, to give them the support they might not be getting from family or friends," says Jordan, who has been teaching postpartum massage for 30 years. 10. Ancient Techniques Finally, massage may assist women struggling with cramps, pelvic pain, or a prolapsed, fallen, or tilted uterus before and after pregnancy. The Arvigo Techniques of Abdominal Therapy are based on the ancient Maya technique of abdominal massage to reposition internal organs that have shifted. Rosita Arvigo, DN, learned these techniques from a Maya shaman in Belize. By bringing internal organs into better alignment, everything just works better, says Diane MacDonald, RN, MSN, the program administrator and advanced instructor at Arvigo. "It also allows emotional healing to happen." Rebecca Jones is a tenured Massage & Bodywork freelance writer. She lives and writes in Denver, Colorado. Contact her at killarneyrose@comcast.net. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 27