PRENATAL AND POSTPARTUM MASSAGE

Although they have fancy titles, prenatal and postpartum massage are both similar to regular massage. Overall, both of these types of massage are used to relax muscles, reduce pain, improve circulation, and make you feel better than you did before! Although some of the benefits are the same as regular massage, prenatal and postpartum massage are different and have different added benefits.


What is prenatal massage?
Prenatal massage is massage for women who are currently pregnant. While a woman is pregnant, her body is rapidly changing to provide and nurture her unborn baby. This causes many issues that are unique to pregnancy. Thebabycenter.com explains that the point of prenatal massage is to customize the massage to a woman's changing body and the needs that come along with that.

Another difference of prenatal massage is the positioning during the massage. During the first trimester of a woman's pregnancy, she is generally able to lay face down the same way she would if she were not pregnant. During the second and third trimesters the positioning can change a bit.  The massage will be given in a sidelying and semi-reclining position. It may sounds uncomfortable, but through the use of many pillows or special cushions, both of these positions are very comfortable to most pregnant women. You can read more about these two positions or why pregnant women cannot be massaged on their back or stomach, please feel free to click here.


Benefits of prenatal massage.
Although the list of benefits of prenatal massage is extensive, here is a list of common problems that prenatal massage can help with as described by motherandbaby.

• Stabilizing hormones
• Improving mood and lowering stress levels
• Reducing prenatal anxiety or depression
• Reducing swelling and edema
• Reducing heartburn and indegestion
• Reducing pain, especially in the lower back
• Decreasing headaches and migraines
• Helping to reduce the appearance and amount of stretchmarks

What is postpartum massage?
Postpartum massage is massage that is tailored for a woman who just had her baby. The postpartum time is from the birth of the baby to about 6 weeks after. Although prenatal massage is extremely important, postpartum massage is just as important and beneficial for the new mom. Just like during pregnancy, the mother's body is rapidly changing and adjusting, so postpartum massage can help with those changes. American Pregnancy explains that one of the biggest reasons why women receive postpartum massage, is to help restore the body to its pre-pregnancy condition


Benefits of postpartum massage.
Although some benefits of postpartum massage are similar to the benefits of prenatal massage, here are some unique benefits of postpartum massage, according to The Baby Center.

• Reduce pain and muscle tension, especially in the areas strained due to childbirth (abdomen, lower back, and hips) 
• Increasing relaxation, which helps with relaxing and calming the newborn
• Increasing oxytocin release, which helps open up any blocked ducts, loosen clumps or hardened areas, and reduce the chance of mastitis
• Improving recovery of cesarean section or perineal tears. 
• Stimulating lymph flow, which will increase immunity for mom and baby
• Helping cope with postpartum anxiety and depression

The process of creating, delivering, and caring for a newborn is a lot for even the toughest of supermoms. Prenatal and postpartum massage are specialized to help ease a woman through those processes. If you or anyone woman you know is going through the amazing process of pregnancy and postpartum adjustments, treat yourself the way you deserve to the healing benefits of massage.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL

Peppermint!

Peppermint Essential Oil is one of our most commonly used and recommended essential oil here at Massage La Mesa. According to doTerra, it is one of the best selling essential oils, as well, which makes it obvious how awesome peppermint is!


What is it?
Peppermint essential oil comes from the peppermint plant, which is a perennial herb. It has been used in various ways throughout history dating back to ancient times. 1000 BC is the first time the use of peppermint was recorded when the Egyptians used it in the tombs of the dead. Although it is not certain why the Egyptians used it in the tombs, many researchers have assumed that is was used to cleanse and rid the body of evil in the afterlife. Since the Egyptians, peppermint has been highly viewed as a multi-purpose plant, and now those healing components are extracted for uses in essential oils, cosmetics, culinary, and other health industries across the globe.


What does it do?
Two of the most common uses of peppermint essential oils stem from common treatments. The first one being "Chew some mint gum if you're feeling nauseous." Although that does help for nausea, peppermint essential oils can help a variety of different stomach and digestion issues. According to Bodyecology, peppermint has been proven to help reduce or relieve stomach disorders, indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, menstrual cramps, diarrhea, gas pains and cramps, and upset stomach. Impressed yet? I sure am.

The second is to use Vick's when you are having respiratory issues. The main ingredient in Vick's Vapor Rub is menthol, which is found in peppermint oil. The difference, however, is that peppermint essential oil has a pure form of menthol with no additives or anything to dilute the menthol. This makes the menthol and the peppermint essential oil as a whole more effective for treating any issues. The Global Healing Center explains the way that peppermint essential oils help to reduce symptoms of upper respiratory congestion is through the expectorant action that clears mucus. This helps to relieve allergies, asthma, cold, flu, bronchitis, and other respiratory issues.

Peppermint is also great for helping with these other conditions- headaches, ADD/ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder/Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder), fatigue, insomnia, acne, colic, and hormone imbalances. 

How do you use it?
Like discussed in a past blog, essential oils can be used through topical application, ingestion, or aromatic application. The same goes for peppermint essential oils. It can be added to smoothies or while cooking meals to enhance flavors while providing the healing properties of the oil.  It can even be used through aromatic diffusion to improve overall health and wellness within all of the systems of the body. This is done through the high content of phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, and calcium within peppermint oil, which are all highly beneficial to the body.

As you can tell, peppermint essential oil is an essential part of everyone's natural kit of remedies. Through the proper use of peppermint and other essential oils, you can improve your overall health- the natural way! If you would like to learn more about peppermint or any other essential oils, feel free to click here to be brought to the official doTerra page.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.

ESSENTIAL OILS

What are essential oils?
Essential oils are the extracts of botanicals, like mint, lavender, and orange. They are extracted through many processes, such as steam distillation, resin tapping, and cold pressuring. According to Essential Oil Haven, most parts of the plants are used for these processes, including the roots, leaves, stems, flowers, and bark. This helps to guarantee that the oils are far more pure and powerful than the original botanicals from which they come from.

Why use essential oils?
Essential oils have been used over thousands of years for countless uses from cosmetic and dietary purposes to spiritual and religious uses, according to Young Living. Essential oils help to maintain emotional, physical, and spiritual wellness within the people who use them. With uses including: aromatic diffusion, topical application, and consumption, essential oils help to maintain balance through the body. Unlike traditional medicine, essential oils can have all or most of the same benefits without any of the harsh side effects and residual issues.  Lavender for sleep issues, Peppermint as an appetite suppressant, or Tea Tree oil for lice to name a few.

Aromatic Application
Aromatic Application is the use of the sense of smell to receive physiological, mental and emotional responses. Due to the quick and effective absorption by the smell receptors, the responses can be extremely strong. After the smell receptors absorb the essential oils, they are sent to the limbic system through the olfactory nerve. Smell, emotions, memory, and behavior are functions that are supported through the limbic system. According to doTerra, essential oils through aromatic application have an extremely powerful effect.

There are many different uses of aromatic application. The most common method is aromatic diffusion, which is the use of a diffuser with hot or cold water to disperse the essential oil throughout a room or area. This could be great for the use of lemon essential oil in the living room when your whole family is feeling congested or has a cold. The next method is aromatic wafting by putting a few drops into the palm of your hand and cupping your hands around your nose and mouth. This is great if you have a stuffy nose and want the relief of eucalyptus oil. Some other methods of aromatic application include applying oil to a cotton ball and putting it in your car air vent or under your pillow, mixing oil with water in a spray bottle and spraying household items with it, adding some to your laundry, or adding some to your household cleaners. No matter which method you use, you are bound to feel much better through aromatic application.

Topical Application
Topical Application is extremely beneficial, especially for localized benefits. Some of the best places to topically apply essential oils are the neck, the forehead and temples, the chest and abdomen, and the hands and feet. Essential Oils are lipid soluble and have very low molecular weights so they easily penetrate skin although there are some ways to increase penetration. The inclusion of massage into the topical application of essential oils can increase effects, due to the increase in blood circulation and the decrease in muscle tension. The use of Fractionated Coconut Oil mixed with the essential oil can also help increase penetration because when the skin is dry, it is more difficult to penetrate.  Mixing with Fractionated Coconut Oil also reduces the chance of having a skin sensitivity to the essential oils if otherwise applied neat or full strength. Some of the other methods of topical application include adding essential oils to a bath, making a cold or hot compress out of a towel and essential oils and then applying it to affected area, and adding essential oils to a lotion or moisturizer.

Consumption
This is oldest method in history. For thousands of years, people have been ingesting different botanicals and plants for their health benefits. Ginger is a common essential oil that is used for upset stomach. By consuming the proper dosage of ginger essential oil, you are able to quickly and effectively receive the healing properties of the ginger root. The use of consuming essential oils is not limited to uses regarding the gastrointestinal issues. The benefits of consuming essential oils can be seen throughout the body due to their low molecular weight, which makes them able to be transported to any organ or area of the body, including the brain. You can introduce essential oils into your diet by substituting them for herbs and spices, adding them to water, milk, tea, or other drinks, or mixing them into yogurt, applesauce, or jello.  Make sure your essential oils are pure, therapeutic grade and not synthetic before ingesting.  

Although using essential oils is not for everyone, the choice to use essential oils in your daily life is a good one. You can learn more about doTerra essential oils and how to purchase your own by clicking here.

Contact us at: 619-917-4675 OR  massagelamesa@gmail.com 

Book now by clicking HERE.