PRENATAL MASSAGE COMES TO CFYC!

Gisela Crider, instructor at CFYC is well known for turning things upside down (literally, her inversion workshop is the talk of the town) at the studio with her awesome workshops and powerful classes! But recently she is becoming known for her magic hands after becoming certified in prenatal massage.  We are thrilled to announce that she is now offering sessions at CFYC!  Gisela shares her passion for prenatal massage: 

"Connecting with mamas is a sweet part of my massage training which I began in 2010.  Being a mom myself (my son is 10 and my daughter is 9), I remember those days of swollen feet and achey backs!  When I became a massage therapist, doing prenatal massage was the speciality I was most excited about! The system I use is a side lying bolster/pillow system developed by Claire Miller of Nurturing the Mother. Claire trained me in prenatal massage and I love her side lying system! You will feel completely supported and nestled among the bolsters of the system. As expecting moms, you need to get 'out of your head' so we start with a wonderful scalp, hair and facial massage. Then I focus on your side body and back, hips and legs. Your feet is where I spend a good deal of time... the extra weight and blood and fluid volume can really tax your legs and feet. I work to bring release and reduce swelling. Don't forget the sweet belly massage that helps to get your digestive tract back on track! "

According to the American Pregnancy Association the benefits of prenatal massage are amazing.

Studies indicate that massage therapy performed during pregnancy can reduce anxiety, decrease symptoms of depression, relieve muscle aches and joint pains, and improve labor outcomes and newborn health.

Massage therapy addresses different needs through varying techniques, one of which is called Swedish massage, which aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body. Swedish massage is the recommended prenatal massage method during pregnancy because it addresses many common discomforts associated with the skeletal and circulatory changes brought on by hormone shifts during pregnancy.

Hormone regulation

Studies done in the past 10 years have shown that hormone levels associated with relaxation and stress are significantly altered, leading to mood regulation and improved cardiovascular health, when massage therapy was introduced to women’s prenatal care. In women who received bi-weekly massages for only five weeks, hormones such as norepinephrine and cortisol (“stress hormones”) were reduced and dopamine and serotonin levels were increased (low levels of these hormones are associated with depression). These changes in hormone levels also led to fewer complications during birth and fewer instances of newborn complications, such as low birth weight. The evidence points strongly to maternal and newborn health benefits when therapeutic massage is incorporated into regular prenatal care.

Reduction of swelling

Edema, or swelling of the joints during pregnancy, is often caused by reduced circulation and increased pressure on the major blood vessels by the heavy uterus. Massage helps to stimulate soft tissues to reduce collection of fluids in swollen joints, which also improves the removal of tissue waste, carried by the body’s lymph system.

Improvement of nerve pain

Sciatic nerve pain is experienced by many women in late pregnancy as the uterus rests on muscles of the pelvic floor and lower back. The pressure of the uterus spreads tension to the muscles of the upper and lower leg, causing them to swell and put pressure on nearby nerves. Massage therapy addresses the inflamed nerves by helping to release the tension on nearby muscles. Many women have experienced significant reduction in sciatic nerve pain during pregnancy through regular massage.

Other potential benefits of prenatal massage:

• Reduced back pain
• Reduced joint pain
• Improved circulation
• Reduced edema
• Reduced muscle tension and headaches
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Improved oxygenation of soft tissues and muscles
• Better sleep

Are you ready to pamper yourself? Schedule your massage with Gisela today!

If you've been trying to think of the perfect gift for an expecting mom, a gift certificate for a massage is sure to earn some praise!

Go to WWW.ELEVATION121.COM or contact CFYC .  

You can also book online  www.charlottefamilyyogacenter.com