Types of Massage Therapy

Specialty Massages

What is Nurturing the Mother Pregnancy Massage?
Nurturing the Mother pregnancy massage utilizes a comfortable, secure side-laying position to avoid undue pressure on a growing abdomen and the lower back. Mothers are completely supported by pillows, keeping top hip, knee and ankle on the same level to avoid pulling on the sacroiliac joint and to maximize blood and lymph circulation. Nurturing the Mother uses a combination of the following methods:

Calming Swedish massage strokes for deep muscle relaxation
Gentle range-of-motion and stretching movements
Deep tissue work in the hip and gluteal area
Abdominal massage for round ligament pain, to support digestion, increased circulation to the placenta and baby
Lymph drainage strokes to reduce pregnancy induced edema
Cranial-sacral and polarity therapy
Accupressure and reflexology techniques

Benefits of pregnancy massage include:

Helps control blood pressure
Strengthens the immune system
Directly affects the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress
Alleviates anxiety and depression
Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
Allows for deeper breathing and a better night's sleep
Helps keep skin supple to help prevent stretch marks
Maintains body posture and balance
Enhances self image
Shortens hospital stay
Reduces postpartum depression

source: the Touch Research Institute of Miami

Oncology Massage is the modification of existing massage therapy techniques in order to safely work with complications of cancer and cancer treatment. Essential aspects of an oncology massage therapist's skill set are an informed understanding of the disease itself and the many ways it can affect the human body; the side effects of cancer treatments, such as medications, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation; and the ability to modify massage techniques in order to adapt for these side effects, as well as for the disease.