Melanie Parsons - Healing Handz Natural Therapies

Pregnancy Massage is able to provide support for pregnant women during all stages of pregnancy which may help her to have an easier, less painful labour.  The pregnant woman undergoes a myriad of physical and hormonal changes to cater for the growing fetus.  Some of the benefits of massage during pregnancy, labour and post natally are:

• Stimulates and balances glandular system
• Increases lymphatic circulation, reducing oedema and fatigue
• Improves blood circulation to all areas
• Enhances waste product removal
• Alleviates stress on weight-bearing joints and musculofascial structure
• Maintains flexibility in muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints
• Reduces muscle spasms and leg cramps
• Reduces and alleviates neck and back pain caused by improper posture, muscle weakness and imbalances
• Relaxes the mother decreasing stress on mother and baby
• Provides emotional support and nurturing
• Improves mother?s body awareness during pregnancy
• Increases the mother's ability to listen to her body during labour and birthing
• Substantially reduces discomfort and pain during labour and birthing
• Encourages efficient hormone production during the birthing process
• Provides a pregnant mother with loving and nurturing touch
• Postnatally the mother is more likely to massage her new baby
• Enhances recovery of muscle tissue after the birthing process

Pregnancy massage also address the following issues:

• Offers continuous care throughout pregnancy
• Gives the mother the opportunity to voice any problems and concerns that she may have to the massage therapist, especially if she is a first time mother
• The therapist can be the source of information and referrals to the mother - such as prenatal yoga or exercise classes, naturopath etc 

Pregnancy massage offers relief for common issues of pregnancy such as:

• Lumbar, pelvic and sacral pain and dysfunction
• Hip and leg pain
• Leg and ankle oedema (fluid retention)
• Leg cramps
• Insomnia
• Stress
• Upper back, chest and arm pain and dysfunction
• Gastrointestinal discomforts
• Breathing discomforts
• Hypertension
• Neck pain and dysfunction
• Headaches
• Preparation for labour and birthing

Maternity Reflexology

Maternity Reflexology is a gentle, non-invasive and  holistic therapy especially during pregnancy. Reflexology is based on the principle that certain parts of the body reflect the whole. These reflex points respond to gentle pressure on the feet, stimulating the body's own natural healing processes resulting in better health and wellbeing.

Pregnant women undergo a myriad of physical and hormonal changes to cater for the growing foetus. Therefore every system is affected, so it is important for the health of the expectant mother and the new life inside of her that steps are taken to ensure everything is kept in balance.

Studies have shown that women who have regular reflexology treatments during pregnancy have far shorter labour and birthing.

Reflexology during pregnancy can help with:

• Nausea (morning or evening sickness)
• Back pain and dysfunction
• Constipation
• Poor circulation, swollen ankles and feet
• Symphysis pubis dysfunction
• High and low blood pressure
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Anxiety and stress

Fluctuating hormones can be balanced using an Endocrine Balance technique.  Hand reflexology is also beneficial for carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy.

Reflexology treatments are especially useful towards the end of pregnancy in preparation for the birth.  Overdue dates and stalled labour can prove to be an anxious time for the mother.  A qualified Maternity Reflexologist can provide an Induction Protocol treatment. By relaxing the mother and stimulating certain reflexes, labour often starts and continues naturally.

Maternity reflexology also address the following issues:

• Offers continuous care throughout pregnancy
• Gives the mother the opportunity to voice any problems and concerns that she may have to the massage therapist, especially if she is a first time mother
• The reflexologist can be the source of information and referrals to the mother - such as prenatal yoga or exercise classes, naturopath etc