I've offered my friend a massage - she's 7 months pregnant, no problems (except possible placenta praevia, but I don't think that will be affected by massage!).
I'm just qualifying in Holistic Massage - so no prior experience with pregnant clients, or in fact anyone not able to lie flat.
I think I read a discussion about this recently, but can't find it now,...so any advice gratefully received!
If she lies on her side, how does that work? I can't imagine performing the strokes that way. Is it better to have her sitting up and leaning forward onto pillows on a table, for a semi-seated position?
What do I do?!
Check what your insurance says and did you cover it on your course?
Myarka.
There are quite a few areas to be avoided during a pregnancy massage, mainly points that can stimulate uterine contractions (reflexology, acupuncture, etc) Areas that need to be focussed on change as the pregnancy progresses. There is actually quite a bit to know even before you lay a hand on anyone, so I'd recommend you do some training. Training will also cover positioning of the client and pillows and draping.
I'm not fond of doing side lying pregnancy treatments, so I have bodyCushion. It's paid for itself many many many times over. I usually do about 6 pregnant clients per week, in the lead up to peak baby season, it gets 2 or 3 times that number, probably more if I could fit them in, but I just can't fit them in. I couldn't do that many if it was side lying.
It needn't be tricky at all, but for your own confidence I think this needs proper mentoring really, So best if you can get hold of somebody experienced who knows you personally and the way you work, both for now and for the future. For now, can you get hold of ex tutor or similar in time?
Thanks everyone.
I've been looking into Pregnancy courses, as it's something I'd love to do more of in the future. I realise it's a specialised area, and I wouldn't consider taking a pregnant paying client at this stage, considering my lack of experience.
This particular person is a good friend of mine - and I think she'd be really grateful even for a bit of a back massage really.
kvdp - a very good idea, I'll email my tutor. I thought I'd ask for other advice too, as when she last spoke to us briefly about pregnant clients, she wasn't aware that doctors now recommend pregnant ladies don't lie on their backs because of diminishing the blood supply. It's not one of her specialist areas.
As for insurance, I've not yet received my certificates etc. from ITEC, so I still only have student insurance. I guess my friend would still count as a practise case. My ITEC exam had a question in it about massaging a 7 month old pregnant woman with permission from her doctor, so I think their recommendation is not one of blanket contraindication to all pregnant ladies.
Thell, I'd love to be more helpful, this is such a great area of practice; pregnant patients can benefit enormously and it isn't difficult. The main reason I'm passing the buck is that there are pitfalls, some legal, to advising on pregnancy, hence this isn't something that can be taught by internet. It's for the same reasons that we shouldn't diagnose or prescribe here.
Your tutor may not be aware of the latest medical guidelines, but guidelines do come and go, so they always demand critical consideration. I'm sure she's the right person to ask, however, or can at least point you in the right direction.
So best wishes and I do hope you can help your friend.
If your client lays on her side or is a seated position for her back depends on the comfort levels of you both.
she wasn't aware that doctors now recommend pregnant ladies don't lie on their backs because of diminishing the blood supply. It's not one of her specialist areas./quote]
Oh dear 🙁 That's not so promising then in terms of advice as my midwifery was 30 years ago in the summer (eek!!), and we were advising against back lying then, so it's hardly a recent recommendation.
Hmmm!
To be fair she wasn't teaching us how to massage pregnant clients, only basic massage - and her specialised areas are reflexology and nutritional advice.
Doesn't help me though!!
Blimey, here's some food for thought!
Which is why it's important to get some training, just as kvdp said. The main thing I got from my training is learning what to avoid, for the protection of the therapist (legal) and the client (maybe possible physical reactions). Once you know what is generally stated as no-go zones, and you keep away from them, you can do what you want.
I've worked on LOTS of pregnant clients, I even prefer to work on pregnant clients because they are very easy to work on once you know what to avoid, no really deep work required, less strain on my body (I work more firmly than the average spa offering pregnancy massage but it's still not exactly an effort). For most pregnant clients, you get the piriformis sorted out, they are happy. As kvdp said, pregnancy massage is not tricky at all; if anything, it's a lot easier than your average therapeutic massage, there are just a few extra considerations to take into account.
Elaine Stillerman has a book called Prenatal Massage: A Textbook of Pregnancy, Labor, and Postpartum Bodywork (Mosby's Massage Career Development) which is now used as a text book in quite a few courses I know of. Her Mother Massage book covers some really basic stuff, more directed at the partner rather than a therapist, but it's got some basics.