Postpartum and Parent Massage

Postpartum: Heal, Recover, and Bond...

Postpartum is an important time of physical healing from labor/birth and bonding between the new family. The postpartum body goes through a myriad of changes as it shifts to its new non-pregnant self. With these changes, new postural compensation patterns may form from feeding, carrying and holding baby, lack of sleep, and possible stress. Massage can be extremely helpful during the postpartum period! During postpartum sessions, baby is always welcome to be on or near the table for comfort or feeding.

Massage has been shown to:

• Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression

• Improve sleep

• Reduce aches and stress from pregnancy and labor

• Decrease and prevent pain/discomfort from parenting a newborn

• Provide emotional support through nurturing touch

• Facilitates return to pre-pregnant posture

• Improve lactation

• Aid in restoring abdominal and perineal muscles to proper function

• Assist in re-balancing the pelvis

Breast massage can be integrated into any session.

Breasts tend to receive little attention until there is a problem. Breast massage, like massage anywhere else on the body, may improve circulation and drainage, reduce pain or discomfort, reduce swelling, and reduce congestion. It also may improve and support lactation as well as reduce the chances of mastitis or clogged ducts. In Japan, breast massage is a vital part of postpartum care. It aids in enhancing respiration, allowing deeper, fuller and more satisfying breaths of air. Why not provide our breasts with the same care that we provide the rest of our body?

In addition to the physical benefits, there are many emotional benefits to breast massage. Many people attach negative emotions to their breasts such as guilt, shame, and anger. This could be due to breastfeeding issues, body image, pain, cancer, sex, sexual assault, or gender identification. Intentional and safe therapeutic touch on breast tissue can help reintegrate and connect the physical form with the emotional one in a positive way.

For female-bodied clients, having your breasts included in a massage session can be extremely empowering. Regular breast massage increases breast health awareness and can help create a positive connection.

Massage has been shown to:

• Reduce pain/soreness (mastalgia)

• Improve lactation

• Decrease likelihood of clogged ducts and mastitis

• Decrease congestion and improve circulation

• Improve texture (fibrocystic breasts)

• Reduce adhesions and scar tissue

• Increase breast health awareness

• Improve respiration

If you would like to read more about breast massage, click here.

Mother & Parent Wellness Massage

The “postpartum period” technically ends one year after the birth of your baby. The physical and emotional stresses of motherhood/parenthood, however, may last much longer. Whether you have a toddler or a teenager, your child continues to have an impact on your body and your psychosomatic experience in life. Massage is a great wellness tool to replenish your energy reserves so that you have more bandwidth for your child(ren) and YOURSELF.

Massage has been shown to:

• Increase relaxation and decrease stress hormones

• Increase ability to cope in stressful situations that come with parenthood

• Reduce muscle fatigue and tension from parenting activities such as floor play, carrying children, lack of sleep/waking during the night, assisting children at playgrounds, etc...

• Increase quality of sleep

• Improve immune system function

rates: In-office

90-minute massage - $225

120-minute massage - $275

rates: Home visit/outcall

90-minute massage - $350

120-minute massage - $395

***The standard "outcall" fee is included in these rates. An additional outcall fee may be added if you live more than 20 miles from the office. Please email Chelsey directly at cswan.lmt@gmail.com for details.

*Chelsey offers massage in-office in Kirkland as well as provides home-visits to families in the greater Seattle area, Eastside, and South Snohomish county as availability allows.