Pregnancy and post-natal massage treatments with Jacqueline Dark of Swakeley’s Massage are now available at The Lymington Chiropractic Clinic providing a wonderful complement to the services of our Paediatric Specialist Chiropractor Charlotte.
Jacqui has worked with pregnant women for over 20 years, supporting them through conception, pregnancy and post-nataly. She has also offered Craniosacral Therapy to many of her clients’ babies to help them to adjust to life following their birth journey.
Jacqui says:
When I was pregnant with my first child I struggled to find a local therapist who was trained in pregnancy treatments, this is what initially made me become interested in working in this field. Since then my training and knowledge has increased tenfold. A high percentage of my client base now is pregnancy related and I still feel that it is such a privileged to work with you all at this amazing time of your life.
Pregnancy Massage (Pre-natal)
Pregnancy massage focuses on some of the unique physical needs of the mother-to-be and is much more than just a luxury. Massage is a wonderful solution to some of the temporary challenges of pregnancy. It provides relaxation by relieving stress on joints, easing pain, and helping with the postural changes associated with the progressing pregnancy.
Massage therapy is also believed to stimulate the endocrine system, which helps to stabilise hormone levels and relieves nervous tension. Jacqui uses a specific 100% pure organic massage oil, created by herself. This carrier oil, containing no essential oils, can be fantastic for reducing stretch marks and will help to keep the skin highly moisturised. Jacqui is qualified and experienced to work with pregnant women before 12 weeks, however, she always tailor makes her pre-natal massages around you. There are various positions you can lie/sit in at different stages of pregnancy to ensure you are always comfortable.
Massage is not only beneficial to the mum-to-be but also to the foetus as well. Research indicates that the use of pregnancy massage over just 5 weeks leads to a shorter and better labour with fewer complications for the new-born such as low birth weight or premature birth.
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage to Mother
- Improves circulation and oxygenation of the soft tissues, distributing essential nutrients and fluid to all the vital organs of the body, especially the placenta, which will feed and aid the development of the baby.
- Eases muscular discomforts such as leg cramps, muscle stiffness, tension and knots – massage improves circulation and can therefore stimulate the flow of blood to these areas, easing discomfort
- Aids lymphatic drainage, eliminating toxins and reducing oedema. The extra pressure your uterus places on your legs can lead to swelling in your feet and ankles. Massage can improve circulation and lymph flow to the affected areas, helping to reduce swelling.
- Increases feel good hormones (serotonin and dopamine) and the release of oxytocin, and improves mood and gives a sense of well being
- Helps avoid varicose veins from developing.
- Helps to keep blood pressure balanced.
- Reduces joint pain.
- Reduces headaches and sinus pain – massage of the face, neck and shoulders can help to alleviate sinus pressure and headaches caused by tension.
- Reduces sciatic nerve pain common in later pregnancy and other nerve compression. Although do not use super firm pressure when working this area.
- Aids a sluggish digestive tract, helping to avoid haemorrhoids and constipation. Regular abdominal massage will encourage your bowels to move.
- Induces deep relaxation and peaceful sleep (it is reported that women who sleep well during the last month of pregnancy have shorter labours).
- Decreases stress hormones (cortisol) and also lowers anxiety.
- Allows time out of a busy life schedule, no expectations and nowhere else to be.
- Can help to make mum-to-be more in tune with her own body making her notice areas of tension and teaches her to relax which will help with labour.
- Enhances her relationship with her unborn child.
- Massage encourages the release of oxytocin. This is a pain reducing hormone providing vital relief of pain during labour and birth.
Benefits of Pregnancy Massage to Baby
- A mother who is relaxed and calm will enable the growing baby to feel secure. Decreased levels of cortisol and other stress hormones will be passed into the baby’s system. Research shows that a baby can greatly benefit from massage as “feel good” endorphins released by the mother during massage are passed onto the baby.
- Positive touch can establish patterns of intimacy, whereas negative touch/deprived touch can have lifelong effects on baby’s intimacy patterns.
- Babies will respond to touch of mothers’ abdomen by moving, thereby showing their enjoyment.
- Baby will receive an improved supply of well-oxygenated blood with nutrients for healthy growth and development.
Pregnancy Aromatherapy Massage (Pre-natal)
A beautiful pregnancy massage as above, with the incorporation of the use of safe essential oils within your massage. This further helps with the many discomforts you can experience on your pregnancy journey. The oils Jacqui blends will be especially for your needs that day. Jacqui has been an Aromatherapist since 1994 and has a deep knowledge and understanding of oils. She has also undertaken extensive additional training with Penny Price Academy of Aromatherapy in the use of Aromatherapy during pregnancy.
Post-natal Massage (Postpartum)
Post-natal massage is classed as 6-8 weeks after birth, and the optimum time to have your first massage after labour is 1 or 3 days after, however, understandably this is not always possible.
Often, the post-natal trimester is the one that is forgotten, by ourselves and others, but Jacqui has noticed that over the last 12 months or so, awareness is really growing on how important it is to look after ourselves during this time.
Regular massage during the post-natal period is greatly beneficial to all new mums. Post-natal massage addresses physical discomforts, as well as your emotional state. Body, mind, and soul are nurtured and rejuvenated. Post-natal massage can be carried out any time following birth and delivery providing massage is not contra-indicated to the mother.
For a normal birth, massage can be received as early as is wanted, but it will depend on the individual. If a mother has undergone a C-section, she must get approval from a health care professional before receiving a post-natal massage, and sometimes this may not be granted until after her 6-week check-up. Careful, supportive massage will help the mum’s body recover from labour, and give huge emotional support, sometimes even, it can help with the bonding relationship between mother and baby.
Massage of the abdomen is included if you are comfortable with this, using specific techniques to enhance the benefits below. Jacqui also has additional C-section scar tissue training and can use these techniques to help with the recovery from your surgery.
Benefits of Post-natal Massage
- Post-natal massage helps the body to recover from labour by working on the lymphatic and blood circulation, which promotes healing and brings the body back to homeostasis.
- Can help with lower back, neck, and shoulder pain.
- Scar healing, work on C-section scar tissue reduces adhesions, reduces swelling, improves circulation to the site, and supports the healing process.
- Headaches.
- Hand and wrist pain.
- Depression, massage encourages the release of oxytocin, which can lift your mood.
- Reduces the feeling of heaviness and exhaustion, which often occurs as the body adjusts to more hormonal changes and a drop in blood sugar.
- Reduces stress hormones, aiding in relaxation.
- Gives the mother some time out and can help her feel good about herself.
- Supports healthy lactation.
- Can help to restore the uterus to its original state. Also, aids the recovery of muscle tone in the abdominal and pelvic area and reduces soreness.
- Provides emotional support at a time when most women are anxious, tired, and emotional. It provides a safe place to express any fears and bad experiences during labour.
C-section Scar Massage
If you have had a C-section and wish to include work on your scar area, Jacqui can do this. She will show you how you can effectively work on your scar and how to bring back your connection to self, improve the appearance, remove adhesions, and help with bloating and overhang. She can also help with numbness and tingling.
You and Jacqui will work together at your own speed. You may never have touched your scar, let alone have anyone else touch it. We can work together to start the process of enabling you to begin exploring your abdomen again in a comfortable way. When you are ready, we can touch the scar and begin working on the area. The more Jacqui/you work your scar area, the better your results, but you can most certainly make a change, however old your scar is.
We will all experience a C-section differently, and how it affects you physically and emotionally will differ immensely, too. For this reason, this treatment is very unique to all, and Jacqui will work using your own limits – for some that may not be even touching the scar area and for others it may be working the area deeply on the first visit. Every session will be different as Jacqui works with you as an individual.
You may have chosen to have had a C-section, or you may have had an emergency section, either way our feelings towards our scar and labour can differ hugely from person to person.
Within Jacqui’s scar tissue massage, Jacqui looks at the emotional side of scar healing as much as the physical and by working with your breath throughout your treatment, can really help your emotional healing. You may come to Jacqui not even being able to touch your scar, you will work together gently and slowly, within your limits, and let the magic happen.
Book a Pregnancy or Post-natal Massage Treatment with Jacqui
Pregnancy and Post-natal Massage appointments with Jacqueline Dark are available on Tuesdays at The Lymington Chiropractic Clinic.
BOOK ONLINE, call us on 01590 679560 or pop into reception.
Gift vouchers are also available if you want to treat a special loved one.