Prenatal Massage

While prenatal massage does share many of the goals of regular massage, such as relaxing tense muscles, easing sore spots and improving circulation and mobility, studies continue to show that being massaged during pregnancy can also reduce stress and anxiety and decrease symptoms of depression. It can also have a positive effect on labour and your baby’s health. Recent studies also reveal that hormone levels improve significantly when massage is used as part of prenatal care, especially those hormones associated with relaxation and stress.

Other benefits of Prenatal Massage are:

·         Reduce any swelling in your hands, feet and ankles

·         Lessen sacroiliac joint pain, the most common lower back/hip pain that usually flares up in the second trimester

·         Ease muscular discomfort in areas such as your lower back, legs and feet

·         Relax tense muscles in your shoulders and neck

·         Relieve cramping in your legs

·         Increase flexibility

·         Ease headaches

·         Relax and de-stress

·         Decrease insomnia

·         Increase oxygen in the blood

Guy Lacoursiere, RMT practices at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, located at 142 Erickson Drive. Call 403-347-3261 to book an appointment or visit us online.

Prenatal Massage

Prenatal massage is a great way to relax, de-stress, and all around make those baby carrying muscles feel better.  It doesn't matter how far along you are in your pregnancy, prenatal massage is a great option, (that is if you aren't too sick). 

Starting in the first trimester with being tired, possibly sick, with all the flood of emotions and hormones, it is always a great idea to take some time for yourself, and get any kinks worked out that you may have been neglecting :)  During your pregnancy there are many different options for being comfortable on a massage table, pillows (side laying), special pregnancy pillows that allow you to face down, some places also have a special table that allows you to lay face down as well!  When you are working with a registered massage therapist you can guarantee you and your baby are in the best hands.

As a mother of one and one on the way, I have suffered from headaches in both pregnancies, prenatal massage and chiropractic are the only things that have helped me.  With trying to avoid pharmaceuticals during pregnancy and breastfeeding, massage seemed like the best solution.  For any skeptics, I have been on both the giving and receiving end of prenatal massage, and the therapist that is working on you as a pregnant women know the areas of your body to avoid each trimester and as soon as you are uncomfortable, or uneasy the massage either ends, or pillows are re-arranged.  Never assume that being uncomfortable, hot, or uneasy is ok.  You are the judge of your massage, never let anyone tell you otherwise.  Mommies know best.

Be prepared for your therapist to avoid deep pressure or some places all together.  Most therapists will avoid ankle area, and use less pressure in the hip/back area (depending on gestation time).  The ankle area is avoided during pregnancy because of a common misconception that mother to be can be put into labour prematurely.  Unless you as a person have a high possibility of miscarriage, or your body is ready to go into labour, an ankle or foot massage wont do anything more than make mommas tired feet feel good.  Lower back in the first trimester isn't avoided unless you have a high miscarriage possibility, or are a high risk patient. 

Sciatic pain, sore feet and headaches can all be drastically reduced with the help of a massage therapist that you feel comfortable with.  Soothing music, long rhythmic massage strokes, and a serene atmosphere are all things that can help make your tired muscles melt away.  Working out aches and pains will help your pregnancy start out in the best way possible and keep you mostly pain free through out.  A happy mommy is a happy baby!  Finding time for yourself can be hard, but take my word for it, it is so worth it in the end.

Vanessa Wood practices at Family First Chiropractic, located 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer. T4R 2C3

www.family1stchiro.ca 403-347-3261

Doula - Birth and post partum-What is the difference?

Types of Doulas

Birth Doula

A birth doula assists the woman before, during and often after the delivery. Birth doulas are trained in childbirth, and most have given birth themselves. The main goal of a birth doula is to help the woman have a safe and satisfying childbirth as the woman defines it.

The birth doula has three main responsibilities:

Emotional Support - The doula provides emotional support through her constant presence throughout labor and delivery. Once labor begins, the doula remains by the side of the mother-to-be until the birth is completed and frequently for the first one or two hours afterwards.

The doula provides emotional support in an active way. She adjusts her style to fit each patient and responds as the patient's needs change during the labor. She understands and accepts the woman's pain and fear and serves as a source of support, helping the woman remain confident and in control. The doula also supports the father and any family members who may be present.

Education - The doula educates and informs the mother about obstetric routines and procedures and thus keeps the mother advised about her progress during birth. The doula encourages the mother to manage the situation by listening to the messages the body sends during birth, changing her position, adjusting breathing, and using other stress and pain reducing techniques.

Especially now with the discovery of the importance of skin-to-skin or kangaroo care immediately after childbirth the doula can act as an emotional and informational resource for the mother. The doula can explain what will happen immediately after childbirth and the woman can prepare to have the baby on her chest, skin to skin.

Liaison - The doula functions as a liaison between the patient and the medical staff. She does not give medical advice or perform any medical duties, but she's on hand to support the mother if she has questions for the medical staff.
Postpartum Doula

A Postpartum doula works in the fourth trimester, just after pregnancy. The role of the postpartum doula is to provide support, advice, and assistance in the weeks and months following birth. In the past, the family of a new baby could rely on their family members or friends to assist them. After giving birth women are often surrounded by caring family members who have a great deal of experience and wisdom to offer. While these resources are available today, they may not always be provided due to increasing distances between family members and their loved ones.

The postpartum doula provides:

• Education
• Non-judgmental support
• Companionship
• Assistance with newborn care and family adjustment
• Assistance with meal preparation
• Assistance with light household tasks

Postpartum doulas offer evidence-based information on:

• Infant feeding
• Emotional and physical recovery from birth
• Infant soothing
• Coping skills for new parents
• Safe infant sleeping
• Referrals for more education on these topics when necessary

The doula may also be a buffer to parents who may have received outdated advice. The doula can help friends and family to foster and support the parenting decisions of the new parents. By modeling a deep respect for the wisdom and decision making abilities of the new parents, she makes clear that supporting them in their own choices will have the best results.

Michaelle de Ruiter is a doula dn RMT, located at Family First Chiropractic and Wellness, 142 Erickson Dr. red Deer 403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca

 

Pressure Points and Labor....what you can do

Pressure Points to Induce Labor

Many women find themselves, as their due dates draw near, searching for ways to jump start labor. 

What is acupressure?

An age-old practice, stemming from Asia, is acupressure. Acupressure is derived from acupuncture. With acupuncture, needles are placed in various locations throughout the body to help relieve stress and pain. Acupressure uses a similar technique except needles are replaced with finger pressure.Certain locations on the body have been found to be somewhat effective at not only naturally inducing labor but assisting with the pain and discomfort associated with labor. Before you learn what and where the acupressure sites are, you need to understand when it is appropriate.

Before trying acupressureAnyone interested in acupressure should not attempt to do so until it is safe to deliver the baby. There is no universal agreement on when it is “safe”, but most physicians advise nothing prior to 38 weeks. Some say that no matter what you try, your body will not go into labor until it’s ready. There is no guarantee that this is the case and no mom wants to risk their baby’s health. Also, any woman interested in trying acupressure to help initiate labor should ask their health care provider first.

Pressure points:The first area on the body used for stimulating labor is located between the thumb and index finger. This point is actually the “webbing” between these two areas. Techniques vary, but this pressure point can be pressed and rubbed for several seconds or simply pressed firmly for approximately one minute and then released. This technique can also be used during active labor to relieve pain.

The next area of the body used for stimulating labor is the ankle. This area actually has two different pressure points. The first pressure point is located on the outside of the ankle, just behind where the bony prominence is. Just like the first mentioned location, techniques vary but the pressure point can be rubbed or pressed for several seconds or one minute. The other ankle pressure point is inside the leg, above the ankle. This area may be difficult to find but it is more sensitive to touch than the rest of the leg.Another area is located on the back, above the buttocks and lower back. This area can also be pressed or massaged as tolerated.

The final area commonly used for initiating labor is located on the neck, the large muscle between the neck and the shoulder. This area can be pressed or massaged as tolerated.

Acupressure does not work for all women and may not be tolerated by all. Massaging or pressing on these areas should not cause pain and if it does cause pain, should be stopped immediately.

Nearing the end of your pregnancy can become very frustrating but don’t lose hope. Women do not stay pregnant forever and your baby will be here sooner than you think.

This Blog brought to you by Family First Chiropractic and Wellness 142 Erickson Drive, Red Deer
403-347-3261
www.family1stchiro.ca
 

 

 

Improve Brain Function with Therapeutic Massage

Improve Brain Function with Therapeutic Massage

Massage therapy promotes healthy brain function through the applied pressure to the muscles, which stimulate receptors in different areas of the brain. This is accomplished by the production of intracellular messengers (proteins such as neurotransmitters). These messengers are key to a healthy brain and are primarily useful through three main systems of the body. These are the endocrine, nervous and immune systems.Each of these systems has a tremendous impact on brain activity as well as each other. They form a network of communication that allows the brain to receive the intracellular messengers during a massage session. If one of these systems becomes compromised, it can cause problems with the other two systems, thereby decreasing brain activity.
The healthier the brain, the better results from the massage and other alternative healing modalities, such as aromatherapy. It becomes a symbiotic relationship between the body and the brain; much like strengthening and stretching a muscle through exercise, yoga, walking, etc. Everything we do, or neglect to do, affects our brains. Everything we “perceive” has to do with brain function. A decrease in brain activity affects the body’s ability to function normally.

References:
1. Dr. Datis Kharrazian CD lecture on “Intracellular Messengers of Endocrinology”
2. http://www.massagetherapyworks.com/entry/brain_health_by_cambridge_naturals
3. http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/18/6042.full
4. http://www.massagetoday.com/mpacms/mt/article.php?id=14331