I like to get massage from many different therapists. I have friends that I trade with and I have a monthly membership at a local massage franchise. I love to feel the different techniques and modalities that are out there. So many legalities come into play when it comes to prenatal massage. At this particular place, most of them are taught to only perform prenatal massage sidelying and not to massage the abdomen. Now, do not get me wrong, I have had many good massage here but I just find it interesting the many ways and the many different thoughts that therapists have when it come to doing prenatal massage.
I was talking to Elaine Stillerman which is one of the top Prenatal Instructors and she said a lot of therapists just haven’t been taught correctly and don’t have all the facts. I have been reading her book Prenatal Massage and have found so many helpful tips and great information. With prenatal massage, research has found abdominal massage to be extremely helpful especially with digestion and sidelying position is good but the supine position is just fine after 24 weeks if you prop the woman up or place a wedge under the right hip.
I understand having to follow the rules when working for a specific company but I also belief that education is very important. Continuing education for massage therapists is of utmost important for any modality but especially for prenatal massage. Opinions are changing all the time in relation to research but I belief that the same general rules apply for prenatal. Knowing the correct techniques, proper positioning, and using the proper amount of pressure in specific areas are very important to a safe and correct massage. So take the proper massage therapy continuing education courses and be knowledgeable about whatever modality you perform.
