Massage Therapy is an ancient form of Healing, Pain Management and Stress Relief in use for more than 3,000 years.Therapeutic Massage is the manipulation of soft body tissues – muscles, connective tissues and the body’s largest organ – skin. Result’s Based Therapeutic Massage Session may include a blend of Western and Easter modalities. Swedish, Deep Tissue, and Hot Stone Massage techniques help to ease tension in the muscle and fascia (connective tissue.) Based on your particular discomforts; your practitioner may use one or a combination of Reflexology, Acupressure, Trigger Point Therapy, Reiki or CranioSacral techniques to open energetic pathways and promote healing.                                        
                                                           

Your Mommy Spa practitioner will go over the extensive intake form to assess the safest, most comfortable way to position you for your Pregnancy Massage.  All Mommy Spa practitioners are trained to assess which positioning is appropriate for you, based on: week of pregnancy, position of baby and various symptoms or additional health conditions.
 
Utilizing the bodyCushion™ you will be safely positioned in one or a variety of the following positions: Semi-reclined, Prone (face down) or Side-Lying. Each session is tailored to your needs as they change through each trimester of the pregnancy.Through-out the session, the practitioner will check in with you to gauge pressure, degree of discomfort, and change in status. This is a therapeutic massage session where your individual issues will be safely addressed utilizing a variety of massage modalities including: Swedish/Relaxation Massage, Acupressure, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy, Hot/Cold Stone Massage, Trager, Reflexology, Reiki, CranioSacral Therapy, Facilitated Stretching, Guided Meditation and Visualization techniques.

Nearly every Spa in the Bay Area now offers “pregnancy massage”, few offer the clinical results you will receive in a session with an extensively trained Mommy Spa Pregnancy Massage Specialist. Most area spas provide a 2 hour pregnancy safety precaution class to their practitioners. Our undercover research revealed that mostly what you receive is a watered down version of a relaxation massage by a therapist who is unaccustomed to working with clients in a side-lying position; rarely are your pregnancy related issues addressed. Why pay an average of 50% more for a 50 minute session; paying for amenities like a sauna and hot tub that are not safe for you to use? Instead, come visit us at The Mommy Spa and receive the kind of results-based care you deserve!

A Mommy Spa Pregnancy Massage session may include:

*Prior to working with our pregnant, cardiac, & oncology clients, The Mommy Spa may request approval from your primary healthcare/maternitycare provider before proceeding with bodywork or spa treatments.

The Benefits of Pregnancy Massage

• Reduces stress and promotes relaxation and normal blood pressure, emotional support and physical nurturing.
• Relieve muscle spasms, cramps, myofascial pain, especially in the neck, back, hips, legs and feet.
• Increases blood and lymphatic circulation—this supports the physiological process of pregnancy.
• Reduces stress on weight-bearing joints and eases musculoskeletal strain and pain.
• Stimulates serotonin production, promoting more restful sleep.
• Reduces constipation, gas and heartburn.
• Develops the kinesthetic awareness; enhancing a woman’s ability to focus on the infant within. This awareness enhances the ability to count baby’s kicks and to relax deeply—which can be very useful in labor.

The Benefits of Postpartum Therapy

• Provides new mothers postpartum support.
• Assists postpartum restoration of the abdomen and weight-bearing muscles and joints.
• Address the fatigue, emotional and physical stress associated with recovery and newborn care.

Call Now to schedule your next massage!
408.506.4024 direct
or
408.227.MAMA  office/voicemail

Glossary of Terms
 
Acupressure – Based on the Chinese Medicine philosophy of acupuncture, this modality uses a system of finger-pressure which treats special points along the "meridians" (the invisible channels of energy flow in the body). Rather than inserting needles, the therapist uses their fingers and palms to apply pressure to specific points around the body, enhancing or diminishing the natural Chi.

Chi or Qi – (pronounced Chee) the Chinese word to describe the Natural Energy of the Universe. Also referred to as the Universal Life Force.

CranioSacral Therapy – A technique often used as a diagnostic tool for finding and correcting imbalances or blockages that may cause sensory, motor or intellectual dysfunction. Developed by Dr. John Upledger; CST is a gentle, hands-on method used to assess and restore the functioning of a physiological body system called the CranioSacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord. Using a soft touch practitioners release restrictions in the CranioSacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system. By complementing the body’s natural healing processes, this method is effective in the treatment of a wide variety of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction including: Fibromyalgia, Autism, ADD, Post-Traumatic Stress, Colic, Migraine Headaches, Chronic back and neck pain, Chronic Fatigue, TMJ, Neuro-Vascular and Immune Disorders, Learning Disabilities, Scoliosis and more. CST is found to be very effective in clients suffering from anxiety, depression and grief.

Deep Tissue Massage – a variation of Swedish massage technique that is aimed at the deeper tissue structure of the muscle and connective tissue (fascia.) Pressure will be more intense and focused, as the therapist works to release adhesions or “knots” caused by chronic muscle tension.

Facilitated Stretching – As the client remains passive (not helping or engaging the muscles) the therapist assists the client to stretch specific muscle groups while using the massage table or massage chair as a support.

Friction - This stroke encompasses deep, circular, cross-fiber or with fiber movements applied to soft tissue causing the underlying layers of tissue to rub against each other. The result causes an increase in blood flow to the massaged area.

Guided Meditation – also called Guided Imagery or Visualization is a process using a particular narrative often accompanied by music, to take the listener on an inner journey for the purpose of relaxation, pain management, self-improvement, improved athletic performance and healing of physical and mental dysfunction.

Hot Stone Massage – heated stones are placed at specific sites along the spine to help open the meridians (energetic pathways) usually with a sheet or towel between the stones and the client’s body. Hot stones are also used as tools to promote faster release in muscles utilizing Swedish and Deep Tissue massage techniques with the hot stones in the practitioners hands. The effects: deep muscle and connective tissue relaxation, the release of toxins, alleviates stress, calms the psyche and improves circulation.

Myofascial Release – A slow, yet amazingly effective form of bodywork that seeks to re-balance the body by releasing tension in the fascia and increase flexibility. Utilizing long, stretching strokes to release muscle tension.

Neuromuscular Therapy - a technique most often used in injury rehabilitation work. The therapist works in a focused manner in a specific area, to reduce muscular tension and break-up adhesions and scar tissue on a deeper level.

Petrissage – a rolling and kneading the muscles, often used in Swedish Massage.

Referred Pain – is a term used to describe the phenomenon of pain perceived at a site adjacent to or at a distance from the site of an injury's origin.

Reflexology – Originating more than 3000 years ago; it is the practice of applying pressure to the feet and hands; based on a system of zones and reflex areas.

Reiki – (pronounced Ray-key) is believed to be first developed and practiced by Tibetan monks several thousand years ago; developed as we know it today by Dr. Mikao Usui a Japanese educator in the mid to late 1800’s. The Reiki practitioner channels this life force energy to the client to help restore order to a body whose vital energy has become unbalanced. It’s effects can bring about a deep relaxation; open energy blockages; promote healing by increasing the vibrational frequency of the body. The practitioner may use a technique of “laying on of hands” or holding their hands just above the body. This healing modality has become more popular in recent years as a complimentary adjunctive therapy in the treatment of fibromyalgia and cancer.

Shiatsu – a Japanese bodywork technique based on the holistic system of Traditional Chinese medicine. Applying finger and palm pressure to the energetic pathways called Meridians, to improve the natural flow of energy called Qi (pronounced “chee”) throughout the body.

Swedish Massage – developed by a Swedish physiologist in the early 1800’s. It consists of long gliding strokes, the kneading of individual muscles, tapping, vibration and friction.

Trager – developed by Dr. Milton Trager is a gentle and effect modality incorporating movement often referred to as “rocking” that assists in relaxation and pain management through mind/body integration.

The Mommy Spa

10 Jackson Street, Suite 109B

Los Gatos, CA 95030

(408) 506-4024 direct

(408) 227-MAMA  office/voicemail