Benefits of Massage Therapy

General benefits: 

• Stress and tension relief
• Mental and physical fatigue is relieved, which renews your energy
• Pain due to irritation of nerves and/or muscle strains
• Relief of sore, spasmed and stiff muscles, including from overexertion
• Prevention of sorness due to overworking muscles
• Increase in range of motion
• Improved circulation and skin tone
• Circulation to the digestive, respiratory, and elimination systems improves functioning
• Facial massage tones the skin, helps to prevent blemishes, and softens fine lines
• Relief of headaches and eyestrains
• Deep relaxation reduces insomnia
• Increased circulation aids th body to create a faster healing time by boosing the immune function
• Increased productivity due to reduced mental strain and anguish
• Mildly high blood pressure is temporarily reduced
• As traumatized muscle tissue heals, adhesions and deep scar tissue can be reduced and/or prevented

During Pregnancy:

• drug-free method of relieving aches and pains 
• promotes relaxation and soothes nerves
• relieves discomforts and pains in back and legs (including sciatic nerve)
• a overall sense of well-being and connectedness between mother and child
• helps to prepare the body for delivery by the gentle stretching of deep ligaments of the hips
• alieves stress on weight bearing joints
• Post-natal massage helps alieviate depression and anxiety, which makes the baby more relaxed because parents are less anxious

Massage Doula:

• prepares the body for delivery by relaxing the deep pelvic muscles and releasing tension
• shortens labor by an average of 25%; from 2-10 hours shorter in length
• Reduces the need for synthetic Oxytocin also known as Pitocin by 71% (used to induce and/or speed labor)
• 60% decrease in the use of epidurals
• 57% reduction in the use of forceps
• Reduces the need for a C-section by 50%
• 35% decrease in the use of narcotics
• Feeding problems are decreased by 47%
• Colds/runny noses of babies decrease by 30%
• New mothers rate their marriages better after birth 30% without a doula and 71% with a doula
• Aids the birth partner in supporting mom
• Mothers feel more secure and cared for
• reduces negative feelings about childbirth experience
• Increased self confidence and adaptation to new family dynamics
• Fathers remain closer to the mother with an increase in touch and remained calmer
• Saves money by reducing medical interventions

Baby Massage Classes:

• general benefits plus:
• helps baby learn to relax
• promotes sounder/longer sleep patterns
• promotes bonding, communication, and a sense of self esteem as the child grows
• helps relieve discomfort from gas, colic, teething, and congestion
• decreases production of stress hormones
• increases muscle tone and growth development
• promotes neurological development
• Introduces touch as a form of expression
• increases body awareness
• teaches children from birth that they are in charge of their bodies and can say no to people touching them
• Increases coordination and balance
• provides special focused time with parents that deepens bond through the release of Oxytocin in both men and women
• increases parents' understanding and awareness of non-verbal cues
• increases parents ability to help child relax during stressful times
• promotes feelings of competence and confidence in caring for the new baby
• Eases parents' stress due to separation during the day
• Children who are massaged grow into less agressive/violent adults
• children have more compassion and are more cooperative
• can reduce hospital stay for premature infants
• aids children with asthma, diabetes, and certain skin disorders (Eczema)