The Benefits of a Prenatal Massage
One of the struggles I’ve heard from some of my maternity clients is the back pain during pregnancy. While there are many options to alleviate that pain, a prenatal massage not only alleviate the pain but also lower blood pressures, reduce stress and anxiety, improves circulation, reduces joint pain and headaches. Prior to the COVID19 mandates, I met Laura Boozer the owner of Ntouch Salon Spa & Wellness located in Elizabethown, Kentucky. Ntouch has helped me tremendously with some of my back pain, and I reached out to Laura about what kinds of services Ntouch Salon Spa & Wellness offers to expectant mothers. If you’ve ever wondered about what to expect, read on; she shared some great insight!
Ntouch Salon Spa and Wellness offers expectant mothers 60 and 90 minute prenatal massages. Their tables have been specially designed for the mother’s comfort throughout every stage of the pregnancy. Because their team specializes in therapeutic modalities, they do not recommend this table for expectant mothers that have severe back pain/sciatic type pain due to the position it puts on the pelvis and spine. In those situations, their team will work on the mother on her side and back with props to keep her comfortable.
Another service they offer is the Ayurvedic Foot Treatment. This service is beneficial to everyone, but expectant mothers really love it when dealing with feet swelling. It is approximately an hour service of treatment from the knee down that occurs in the spa. The Ayurvedic treatments focus more on healing the soft tissue and skin than a pedicure would do. Dry brushing, exfoliation, hydration (all AVEDA skin care products), paraffin, and an approximate 30 min massage while utilizing the heated pedicure chair & bowl! More information about their spa services can be found here.
So what can an expectant mother expect during a massage?
An expectant mother prenatal massage is specialized bodywork that focuses on the special needs of her body as it goes through the dramatic changes of pregnancy. It is a gentle, non-invasive approach to ease all the discomforts of pregnancy from soft tissue pain to a reduction of stress & anxiety. Their staff customizes each session to the ever changing needs of the guest and always recommends at home care to include stretches & mindful breathing techniques when needed. The guest comes in, changes into a robe and enjoys an aromatic foot soak in our spa relaxation area while they wait for their massage therapist. Once the therapist greets the guest, they will do a detailed consultation to ensure the time spent is customized to the guest’s need. We recommend expectant mothers come at least one time a month throughout their pregnancy. Most health care providers recommend waiting until the second trimester to begin massage; however, mothers in their first trimester just need to get permission from their doctor.
Ntouch Salon Spa and Wellness also focuses on home care and understands the benefits of self care during the pregnancy. Mothers can use essential oils such as lavender in a diffuser is great for tension and stress, a therapy ball and/or a foam roller for soft tissue pain and discomfort , and KT tape is a go to for some to assist with pain reduction- most helpful in the third trimester. (See the picture at the bottom of this article)
Karma Yoga studio is another business of Laura’s and its instructor Elizabeth McNeil teaches an actual prenatal class. Their beginning fundamental class is also great for expectant mothers. The instructor just cues them through any pose modifications that may be necessary. Stretches such as "cat" "cow" "pigeon" are yoga poses that are so helpful during pregnancy and prenatal yoga!
After the baby arrives, Ntouch Salon Spa and Wellness offers a variety of beneficial services. Just TIME TO YOURSELF is essential at that point! Facials are a great service due to the hormonal changes that have a dramatic effect on the skin. The facials are given by licensed estheticians - they specialize in ONLY skin care!
If you’re looking for a truly special gift for an upcoming baby shower Ntouch Salon Spa and Wellness offers gift cards as well as an array of natural products from AVEDA that can be purchased online 24 hours a day!
Ntouch Salon Spa and Wellness is located at 1201 N. Dixie Hwy in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Appointments can be booked by calling (270) 982-1221 or through their website.
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