The baby is finally here! Yay!!! Now all of those pregnancy discomforts are going to melt away, and you will finally have your body back, right? Unfortunately, being a new mom brings on many new challenges for the body, mind, and spirit. Postpartum massage to the rescue!!! Postpartum massage at the Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing is designed to help you recover from all of the shifts your body has undergone from pregnancy and labor too.
My “Celebration” Postpartum Massage was designed to focus on your physical recovery and rejuvenation after childbirth. It gives you some space to focus on how your body is feeling, and helps to relieve stiffness, tension and pain associated with caring for your newborn. Also, added to the session is a healing castor oil pack. So many clients have asked me, "Kate, why castor oil during the Postpartum period?" The reasons are numerous!
Castor oil pack therapy has been used to increase milk production among lactating women, and it is occasionally used to quickly and effectively heal the umbilicus of newborns, and is regularly used to stop hormone-related hair loss. Packs are helpful from averting a breastfeeding issue (mastitis, clogged ducts, general soreness and inflammation) to healing from birth (especially beneficial in cases of cesarean section). Castor oil has also been used to treat ovarian cysts, fibroids, and heavy menstrual cycles. During the postpartum period, I also find it useful for assisting the taxed liver and gallbladder, and getting the intestines going. We also use castor oil here at The Pittsburgh Center during our Fertility sessions for many for many of the same reasons. I don’t know if you can find a therapist here at the Pittsburgh Center that doesn’t have anything but wonderful things to say about Castor oil packs and their benefits! I could go on about the wonderful benefits of castor oil pack therapy which, in my opinion, is beyond valuable to healing the body. However, I would also still like to touch on the many benefits of Postpartum Massage:
- Restores Your Body
Following your pregnancy and birth your body has undergone many changes and you may even feel that it is unfamiliar to you. Postpartum massage treatments will help you to re-adjust and return to your non-pregnant state. It will re-establish the integrity of the pelvic structure as well as facilitate healing. Special abdominal techniques will also help to involute the uterus and to tone and flatten the abdominal muscles and skin.
- Eases Aches and Pains
including post-pregnancy back pain, joint stiffness and 'feeding shoulders'
- Cesarean Recovery
Promotes recovery from C-section births including healing of the incision, abdominal muscles healing and scar tissue reduction.
- Supports You Through Emotional Adjustments
Promotes compassionate, nurturing support throughout emotional, physiological and family adjustments.
- Nurtures and Relaxes You
Gives you the chance to deeply relax in between your baby care activities. Relaxed mama = relaxed baby! Gives you time to yourself to be cared for, boosting energy levels and reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
- Promotes Better Milk Production and Easier Breastfeeding
Special points are worked that stimulate the pituitary gland to produce the hormones oxytocin & prolactin. These hormones are key in producing and delivering the milk to the breasts.
Postpartum Massage is usually safe immediately to 24 hours after you have given birth if you have had a vaginal delivery. If your delivery has had complications, or involved surgery, 3 weeks is generally the benchmark as far as scheduling. When you are ready to come in, we will be here to bolster you on your journey to healing and transformation. Following your initial Postpartum session, suggestions may be given such as how to apply a castor oil pack and frequency, or stretches that may be advantageous. I generally recommend receiving six to eight postpartum massages to see full benefits. Remember, it has taken nine months for your body to “transform”, it can take nine months or so for it to “transform” again. Be gentle with yourself.
If you have any any further questions about Postpartum Massage, please feel free to call me at The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing at (412)242-4220.
Many Blessings!
Sources:
"Castor Oil Pack Therapy" by: Danielle Frisbie