Prices:

Syracuse: $65/30 minutes, $95/60 minutes

Rochester: $55/30 minutes, $85/ 60 minutes

Call our Syracuse office at 315-671-5755 or our Rochester office at 585-724-5750 ext. 2 to schedule a Prenatal Massage now!

To learn more on the benefits and precautions, read on!

Prenatal Massage

Fast Facts:

• A pregnant woman can get a prenatal massage after the first trimester

• Prenatal massage can help relieve common pregnancy symptoms such as swelling, discomfort,

• Always let your massage therapist know you are pregnant when booking

• It is always best to check with your provider before having a Prenatal massage

• Make sure your massage therapist is certified in Prenatal Massage

What is a Prenatal Massage

Massage has been used for years to relieve stress, improve health, and bring comfort back into the body. Prenatal massage includes all of those benefits but is also comforting the momma with specific techniques who is bringing life into this world!

A typically prenatal massage is a Swedish massage. A Swedish, relaxation massage will help relieve pregnancy symptoms such as anxiety, muscle aches, swelling and improve pregnancy labor plus newborn health.

Prenatal massage is performed by trained massage therapists who have been certified for Prenatal massage. There are specific techniques used to relax muscles, improve blood circulation, and address specific points in the body that are typically uncomfortable during pregnancy due to hormonal changes.

Studies have shown that regulating hormones from massage can have a significant impact on a pregnant woman’s mood and overall health. Bi-weekly massage can improve feelings of depression that are associated with pregnancy.

How a Prenatal massage is Different than a Regular Massage

A Prenatal massage caters specifically to the changes in the body during pregnancy. During a regular massage, you typically lay on your back for the first half and then flip over to your stomach for the second half. With a prenatal massage, it all depends on what stage of pregnancy Mom is in. For example, laying on your stomach might be uncomfortable for Mom and the baby and laying face up, can sometimes put pressure on blood vessels that can disrupt blood flow to the baby, causing feeling of nausea.

Because pregnant women literally have a human growing inside of them, causing their stomach and breasts to grow, a pregnancy pillow is used with specific cushioning and holes to allow the body to lay comfortably. Another option is to lay on their side with the assistance of cushioning. During a regular massage, these added cushions are not needed.

A Prenatal massage is typically a Swedish, relaxation massage, especially on the legs. Deep pressure on the legs while pregnant is a big NO, NO. Since being pregnant makes women more susceptible to blood clots, deep tissue massage is avoided so to not dislodge blood clots. A gentle massage on the legs will still feel AMAZING! Firmer pressure is acceptable on other parts of the body.

Since heat is avoided during pregnancy, the massage bed will not be warmed prior to the massage.

Benefits of a Prenatal Massage

• Reduce stress hormones
• Loosen muscles
• Increase blood flow
• This helps flush out toxins and keeps the lymphatic system working
• Helps with mentality during pregnancy
  • Massage acts as a comfort, and can aide in relieving depression symptoms
• Help relieve pain associated with pregnancy such as:
  • Joint pain
  • Neck
  • Back
  • Sciatica
  • Insomnia
  • Leg Cramps
• Reduce swelling
• Alleviate headaches and congestion

Safety & Risk

Massage during the first 3 months of pregnancy may lead to dizziness or morning sickness as well as an increased risk for miscarriage associated during the first trimester.

Certain trigger points have been known to induce contractions. It is extremely important to let your therapist know you are pregnant, or could be pregnant prior to massage, in order to avoid these pressure points.

When scheduling, make sure it is with a therapist certified in Prenatal Massage. They will know what areas of the body to avoid and to massage. You can also feel at ease knowing they will be able to help relieve any pain or pressure that arises during your massage associated with pregnancy.

Let your massage therapist know any symptoms or sicknesses you are having during your pregnancy to avoid further complications.

Women who have experienced any of the following symptoms should contact their provider before having a massage:

• Bleeding
• Are a high-risk pregnancy
• Previous pre-term labor
• Sever swelling
• High blood pressure
• Recently gave birth
• Pre-term contractions

When can I get a Prenatal Massage?

After the first trimester is generally when pregnant women can start getting prenatal massages. It is always best to check with a doctor first for the go ahead.

Cost

Cost of a prenatal massage typically ranges from $60-$120 depending on where you are having it done as well as how long the massage it.

Prenatal Massage at CNY Healing Arts in Syracuse & Rochester NY:

CNY Healing Arts in Syracuse and Rochester NY are one of the top massages places to get a Prenatal massage. Why? Because we are the sister business to CNY Fertility! Everyday we are meeting and helping women get pregnant! If you are a pregnant woman, you can feel confident in choosing CNY to help you on your pregnancy journey!

*We advise against using our aqua terrace, dry sauna and use of steam in our steam showers while pregnant.

What to expect at CNY

At CNY, the pregnancy pillow is optional. If a pregnant woman chooses to forego the pillow, the therapist will perform a massage with the client on their side so to not disrupt the baby. Each person is different on what they find most comfortable.

“Laying on the pregnancy pillow was so comfortable for me during my massage! I had not been able to lay on my stomach for weeks, so being able to do it comfortably was great. The massage was so relaxing, I fell asleep and had to be woken up at the end!”

-CNY Syracuse Client, Amber

During the beginning of pregnancy and middle, attention to pressure points are avoided during massage. If it is the end of your pregnancy and you are close to your due date or past, massage therapists at CNY can pay attention to these pressure points. They agree it is better to go naturally then be induced with drugs. This is only done with the client’s consent. A massage therapist would never decide on their own to apply pressure to these points.

As you and your pals progress through pregnancy, your instructor will alter your yoga routine to best fit your needs. As you may already know, your pregnancy is divided into trimesters, lasting three months each. A positive, supportive environment, such as a prenatal yoga class offers, can really help you stay on a healthy emotional track throughout all the different stages of pregnancy by keeping you fit and giving you a regular motivational boost.

Join us for a yoga class today – visit our class schedules, separated by location, here.

Benefits of Prenatal Yoga:

• Keeps you limber
• Tones your muscles and keeps them strong
• Minimizes water retention, which helps to reduce swelling, especially in the legs, ankles and hands
• Prevents insomnia
• Eases back pain or discomfort
• Encourages proper posture, providing optimum internal space for your growing baby
• Improves balance
• Develops a sense of inner focus and peace
• Increases circulation
• Helps control weight gain
• Alleviates mood swings
• Trains you to stay calm
• Reduces overall stress level
• Helps your body deal with stress by lowering heart and breathing rates
• Lowers blood pressure
• Promotes mind and body awareness
• Develops concentration and focus
• Helps pregnant women adapt gracefully to physical changes
• Decreases constipation and fatigue

The most common things we tend to focus on in Prenatal yoga are:

• Back pain
• Nausea and Constipation
• Varicose Veins
• Swelling and Inflammation around the feet/hands
• Sciatica
• Headaches
• Fear and Worry
• Positions woman can use during labor and childbirth
• Pelvic floor
• and much more….

There are so many emotional and physical benefits gained from prenatal yoga!  We do exercises to strengthen the uterus and pelvic muscles, improve circulation to both mother and baby, exercise the spine and increase overall comfort.  The girls in the classes develop a deeper understanding and connection with their babies, bodies and also learn important relaxation techniques to keep them stress and worry free.  The class is also a great support system for the women.  The ladies really enjoy chatting with each other and bonding over pregnancy blooper stories!

In the Parent and Baby yoga class I bring my baby Jaia to class with me!  He is 8 months and has been a wonderful assistant and he is probably CNY’s youngest employee!! haha.  Just like Prenatal yoga, I ask the parents what they would like to work on and how they are feeling.  I mention that the class is a comfortable supportive place, so if a baby gets fussy or needs some loving, parents are free to take a break to feed, change diapers, kiss, cuddle or do what ever the baby needs to feel blessed during their time at CNY.  Happy baby=Happy parent!

Benefits of Postnatal Yoga for the Parent
Mom’s will regain strength, energy and stamina that was lost during the pregnancy and birth. All exercises are safe and geared toward the postnatal body, focusing on rebuilding strength within the abdominal area, pelvic muscles and back. Mom’s will learn how to release tension in the neck and shoulders as well as bring balance back to the spine after experiencing the stresses of pregnancy and labor. Infants enjoy spending quality one on one time with their Mom or Dad.

Benefits for the Baby:
Tactile, auditory and visual contact is important for child’s brain development and emotional well-being and can help assimilate trust and security. Trust and security lead to development of self confidence, the foundation of a balanced body, mind and spirit. By practicing certain postural sequences the parents can help establish routine, which builds on the babies knowledge of anticipation which can help develop language. Their baby may also sleep better and longer as a result of the physical and mental stimulation gained during postnatal yoga.

Mothers recovering from Cesarean delivery should wait at least 6-10 weeks then get the “green light” from their care provider before enrollment in yoga. Mothers that are recovering from vaginal birth should wait 4-6 weeks and also get the “green light” from their care provider. Adoptive caregiver or Partners can begin at anytime.

Don’t forget I also teach a yoga class for everyone on Thursday’s!  This class is open to students of all levels. Each class is specifically designed around the individual students needs and progress, helping them stay challenged.  We connect the breath with the movement of the body during the “flow” of yoga, which helps the busy mind relax.

Christa Corsaro Tyson, Certified Yoga Instructor