Ananda Massage

Prenatal Massage Therapy | Summerville

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Get Relief from Devastating Sciatic Pain During Pregnancy

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Photo of black person with sciatic pain during pregnancy, wearing a black top and pants.

Many pregnant people experience sciatic pain during their pregnancy. This is because the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down through each leg, can become compressed as the baby grows. Prenatal massage can help to relieve this pain by loosening the muscles around the nerve and promoting circulation. Read on to find out how to get relief from sciatic pain during pregnancy.

Sciatic pain can be debilitating. It can make it hard to walk, sit, or even stand. To relieve this type of pain, it will be necessary to massage the muscles around the nerve. Specifically, the gluteal muscles. Once the gluteal muscles are loosened, it will be easier to massage the other muscles that effect the sciatic nerve.

During pregnancy, the best way to massage the gluteal muscles and the hips is to have to client lay on their side. This way, the weight of the baby is not putting any pressure on the sciatic nerve. And, it’s safer for the baby. The client can prop themselves up on a pillow to help take some of the pressure off of their back.

In addition to these physiological benefits, prenatal massage can also help strengthen the bond between you and your baby by promoting emotional closeness through touch. So if you’re looking for a safe and effective way to treat common pregnancy symptoms while enjoying some much-needed self-care, prenatal massage may be just what you need!

Prenatal massage is a therapeutic form of massage that has been practiced for centuries. This type of massage is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of pregnant people, helping to relieve the symptoms of pregnancy while also promoting relaxation and wellbeing.

Click here to book your Prenatal Massage.

Ashiatsu Massage

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photo of someone getting Ashiatsu Massage at Ananda Massage and Bodyworks

If you’re looking for a truly unique and relaxing massage experience, ashiatsu massage is definitely worth trying. This traditional Japanese massage therapy involves the therapist using their feet to apply pressure to the client’s body.

At Ananda Massage, I am trained in ashiatsu , and I’m an expert in providing this type of massage. Ashiatsu has numerous benefits, which is why it’s become such a popular treatment option in recent years.

Some of the benefits of ashiatsu massage include:

– improved circulation

– reduced muscle tension

– increased flexibility

– enhanced mental well-being

Ashiatsu is a type of deep tissue massage that has some of the elements of shiatsu and Swedish massage. Ashiatsu dates back for centuries in Asia. It was brought to the United States in the early 1990s by an American woman named Ruthie Hardee who had been trained in Ashiatsu while living in Japan.

Who can get Ashiatsu massage?

Ashiatsu is a relatively safe massage therapy and can be performed on most people. However, there are some people who should not get ashiatsu massage, such as those who are pregnant or have certain medical conditions. If you’re unsure whether ashiatsu massage is right for you, please contact me prior to scheduling a session.

Ready to book your Ashiatsu Massage?

Monkeypox and Massage: How do I keep clients safe

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Monkeypox is a virus that can spread from prolonged skin to skin contact of any type. It can also be spread with respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing. Or with contact with contaminated fabric. So, let’s talk about monkeypox and massage, and how I keep you sage while you’re in my office and on my massage table.

How do I clean?

First, I use hospital grade sanitation products and disinfectants. Everything my client or I touch will get wiped down.

It’s recommended that massage therapists wear non latex gloves when giving a massage to help mitigate the spread of monkey pox so that’s what I will be doing for the long term.

When a client leaves my office, I carefully take off ALL linens, even blankets. They’re put in the hamper and I begin cleaning and sanitizing the space.

When I do laundry, I use bleach, oxy-clean or H202 to disinfect the linens along with my regular laundry detergent.

Not sure you have monkeypox? A physician can properly diagnose you, but here are the main symptoms and what to look for.

Typical monkeypox begins with flu like symptoms. You may feel fatigue, a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and a fever. Several days later, the rash begins. And this is why it can be confusing because at first they look like eczema bumps or mosquito bites. You may notice them on your hands or face first and then they’ll pop up in other places on your body.

Photo credit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/monkeypox

The macule, papule, and vesicule stages last a few days each.

The pustule stage (when they are filled with fluid and can be painful) can last up to a week.

The scabs last from 7 – 14 days.

It is safe for you to be around people when the last of your scab falls off.

So what do you do if you contract monkeypox?

Wear a mask and quarantine yourself away from other people. Do your laundry separately from other members of your household, don’t share dishes or utensils. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves and a mask if you have to be go to a shared space in your house.

Can a pregnant person pass monkeypox to a fetus?

No one is exactly certain, but medical professionals say it is possible to pass it through the placenta.

What is the treatment for monkeypox?

If you are pregnant or nursing, please follow the advice of your doctor. The antiviral they use for monkeypox is known as TPOXX.

At this time, they are administering the JYNNEOS vaccine to those who have been exposed to monkeypox in hopes of lessoning the viral load.

Other than that, binge your favorite show, read some books and don’t pick at the bumps or scabs. Wash your hands frequently. Don’t touch your eyes.

What is my cancellation policy?

Typically, my cancellation policy is 48 hours. However, as with any illness, I will not charge to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

If you think you may have monkeypox, have a rash that you’re not sure about, let’s be safe rather than be sorry. We can reschedule your appointment, even the day of with no penalty while you get it checked out by a physician.

Stay safe out there! Keep taking your supplements, drink plenty of water. Exercise, and do everything you can to stay healthy.

The Delightful Benefits of Postpartum Massage

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It’s been said that postpartum massage is one of the most underrated postnatal therapies. Many new mothers don’t realize the benefits that postpartum massage can offer.

Postpartum massage can help to ease the transition into motherhood. It can help to promote bonding between mother and child, as well as helping to improve sleep patterns. Postpartum massage can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels, and promote relaxation.

How do you know if you need a postpartum massage? A good rule of thumb is that if you’ve recently given birth, or are caring for an infant you do! Another way to tell is if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms:

– “Baby Gazing” Neck (aka a sore neck from staring at your new precious bundle of joy all the time!)

-Insomnia… Staring at the monitor or little one all night to make sure they’re breathing can be taxing. Trust me I know!

– Low energy levels. Did someone say coffee? Oh shoot don’t say the C word to nursing or pumping people, they might fight you about it.

– Muscle aches and pains. Hello sleeping in awkward positions to leave a boob out all night for a cluster feeding baby. Or napping with your arm draped over the crib so baby still feels you close. And that Diaper bag is surely not helping either….

– Headaches.

– Stress or anxiety.

How does massage help insomnia?

Massage can help to improve sleep quality by promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels. Massage has also been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol can interfere with sleep, so reducing levels of this hormone can help to improve sleep patterns. Being able to go to a quiet, calm, dimly lit massage treatment room is often zen inducing enough to help someone drift off to La-la land. Add to that having a professional gently work areas of concern, and your favorite endorphin inducing areas like scalp, feet or shoulders and the relaxed feeling often carries over for hours or days past your appointment.

How does massage help with muscle aches and pains that can occur after giving birth?

Massage can help to relieve muscle aches and pains by increasing blood circulation and relaxing muscles. Massage may also help to reduce inflammation that can contribute to pain. Many pregnant people have low back and hip pain during and after pregnancy, and massage can definitely help reduce this type of pain.

I’ve been trained in postpartum techniques to help aide in organ repositioning, as well as joint stabilization and belly binding for support during the 4th trimester. If a uncomplicated labor and delivery happened, a postpartum massage can take place and is most benefical the week after delivery. One of my most rewarding sessions has been working with a 4 day new mom to help continue her recovery with abdominal massage.

Massage has also been known to increase the hormone prolactin, which aides in the production of milk.

Along with increasing prolactin production, there are specific accupressure points that can be used to help induce milk let down. Chest massage can also be performed to loosen tight pectoral muscles, and with proper care and consent breast tissue may be worked to help with clogged ducts.

At Ananda Massage, you don’t even have to stress about leaving your baby home or finding a sitter. Our Mommy and Me Massage will be perfect for you! The treatment room is spacious enough to accommodate baby in a bucket style car seat safely. I keep an eye on them as I work on you. If baby wakes up, there is more than enough room on the table for them and you! Most often, they fall fast asleep on the warm cozy table cuddled up next to you. I also have a carrier available and I am more than willing to wear bubs as I work if they will allow it! Bring me back to my babywearing days!!

I look forward to seeing you during your Fourth Trimester!

Prenatal Massage: The Benefits for You

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Image of pregnant person holding her belly wearing a white shirt

Pregnancy can be a stressful time, and prenatal massage can be a great way to relax and de-stress during pregnancy. It can also provide some health benefits for both you and your baby.

Massage can help to reduce stress hormones (norepinephrine and cortisol) in the body and decrease overall anxiety, which can have a positive effect on both your mood and your baby’s development. It can increase endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. (Those are the hormones that make you feel good.)

Massage during pregnancy can also decrease back and leg pain. A prenatal massage often combines a deeper pressure massage in the shoulders and low back, and a more gentle massage in the legs. This can provide relief from the extra weight and strain that your body is under during pregnancy.

Prenatal massage can also help to improve sleep quality, which is often disturbed during pregnancy. Massage can help to relax the body and mind, and promote a sense of well-being.

Massage can help to increase circulation and decrease swelling, as well as relax muscles and relieve tension headaches. All of these benefits can lead to better sleep.

Prenatal massage is a great way to take care of yourself during pregnancy. It’s important to find a qualified prenatal massage therapist who has experience working with pregnant women. You may also want to ask your doctor or midwife for a recommendation. Once you’ve found a good prenatal massage therapist, be sure to schedule some regular appointments so that you can enjoy all the benefits of prenatal massage

Prenatal massage is a great way to pamper yourself during pregnancy. It can also provide some health benefits for both you and your baby. If you’re considering prenatal massage, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider first to make sure it’s right for you.

Ready to book your massage?