Massage has many benefits like relieving pain and stress and boosting immunity. Did you know it could also improve fertility? The Nest is pleased to offer adjunctive therapy from a licensed massage therapist with specializations in fertility and pregnancy massage.
Massages Offered:
Fertility
Pregnancy
Swedish
Deep Tissue
What is Fertility Massage?
Fertility Massage is a mixture of Chi Nei Tsang techniques (a form of Chinese abdominal massage), Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage, myofascial release, acupressure, and reflexology.
*techniques used will vary depending upon where the client is in her cycle*
How can Fertility Massage help you?
• Increases blood flow to the pelvic and abdominal region, in turn nourishing the digestive and reproductive organs.
• Breaks up adhesions in the pelvic and abdominal area.
• Improves digestion and absorption of nutrients.
• Relieves stress and anxiety (stress and stress hormones can greatly contribute to infertility by impairing the secretion of the hormones needed for fertilization and to carry a pregnancy to term).
• Reflexology applied to the hands and feet focus on stimulating reproductive organs, endocrine glands and the digestive system.
What is Pregnancy Massage?
Pregnancy massage is specifically designed to address the issues a woman experiences during her pregnancy while also taking into account the physical changes her body is going through and any health or medical considerations specific to the mother’s pregnancy. During the massage, women are positioned in a sidelying position on the massage table supported by pillows and the massage techniques are typically much lighter.
What are the benefits of Pregnancy Massage?
Studies from The Touch Institute at the University of Miami have shown that pregnant women who received massage experienced:
• less anxiety
• enhanced mood
• reduced back pain
• increased sleep
• fewer complications during labor
• fewer premature births
Pregnancy massage can also offer:
• emotional support in a time of transition
• relaxation and stress reducation
• immune system enhancement
• relief from muscle and myofascial pain
Research on Fertility Massage & Massage in General:
While more research needs to be done on the effects of Fertility Massage, these small sample studies show some dramatic results!
• In 2008, Alternative Therapies, published a study that showed 17 out of 28 women (61%) with complete fallopian tube blockages who received 20 hours of manual physical therapy treatment over a month to their abdominal area showed the blockage had been released and nine of the 17 women became pregnant.
• In 2004, Medscape General Medicine OB/GYN & Women’s Health, published a study that showed 10 out of 14 women (71%) with suspected or confirmed pelvic adhesions or inflammatory diseases such as endometriosis who received targeted bodywork to their abdominal and pelvic area became pregnant within one year.
• In 2010, Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, published a Cedars-Sinai’s study of 53 healthy adults. 29 received a 45-minute session of deep-tissue Swedish massage, 24 received a 45-minute session of light massage. Blood tests revealed that after a single session the recipients of the Deep Tissue massage showed significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, along with increased number of lymphocytes (white blood cells that are part of the immune system). Recipients of the light massage had increases in oxytocin and decreases in adrenal corticotropin hormone which stimulates the adrenal glands to release the stress hormone, cortisol.
• The Mayo Clinic states on their website massage has shown to cause “reduced stress, anxiety and pain, improved circulation, improved levels of alertness, enhanced sleep patters, release of endorphins (the body’s natural painkillers), relaxation and increased oxygen supply. Massage can also reduce heart rate and blood pressure and increase energy and immune system activity.” www.mayoclinic.org/massage-therapy/