Pregnancy and Postnatal Massage Training

Learn techniques to address the broad range of physical/emotional changes that occur in the childbearing year. Specific techniques for common complaints, enhanced body awareness to prepare for birth and support a balanced passageway for the baby’s birth. Gain a new understanding and confidence to work with this special population.
Massage therapists (level 5 minimum) attending should be competent in their knowledge of anatomy and physiology, massage strokes and basic draping.

Topics include:
• Uniqueness of pregnancy in a woman's life
• Anatomy/physiology and biomechanics of pregnancy
• Complications /cautions/ contraindications during pregnancy
• Common issues in pregnancy
• Gentle effective movement and breathing practices to address musculo-skeletal concerns
• Stress during pregnancy / why massage ...
• Guidelines for pregnancy massage for each trimester
• Positioning, draping and practical methodology for each trimester
• Pregnancy massage techniques with over 50 techniques
• Massage on pregnant volunteers (optional)
• Techniques to strengthen the pelvic floor and core muscles including diastasis recti and postural imbalances.
• Techniques to improve breastfeeding.
• How massage can help the stresses of postpartum for physiological (vaginal) birth and medically assisted birth.
• Release of abdominal scar tissue and adhesions from Caesarean section birth and other surgeries.
• Techniques to return the body to the non-pregnant state.

The subject matter in this course may discuss fertility issues and miscarriage/ stillborn, birth trauma, the birthing process, postnatal recovery, pelvic floor dysfunction. Please be aware that these subjects can be a trigger for some.