As a client, do I need to supply anything for the massage?
You do not need to supply anything but a space for the massage table to be set up, with a sufficient
area around it for me to work. A clear area of about 8'X7' is sufficient. Ideally, it will be in a low-traffic part of
your home, so that you can relax with limited distractions.
Is Gravida Massage limited to pregnant women?
No--Gravida Massage provides outcall therapeutic massage to women in general.
Can men become clients of Gravida Massage?
Gravida Massage supplies outcall, therapeutic massage for women only. I work with
male clients, but not on an outcall basis, and not through Gravida Massage. Please contact me at (315) 447-6907
for another venue.
How far will you travel to come to my house?
I will travel up to twenty miles to get to you. I will determine the distance using MapQuest.
Please add $5 to the rates listed on this Website if the distance is more than 15 miles. (Add $15 to package prices.)
How far in advance should I make my appointment?
Please make your appointment at least one week in advance.
Pregnancy lasts only nine months. Why say that you specialize in "the year before and
after childbirth"?
Your health in the months leading up to pregnancy is very important. If you are planning to
become pregnant, it is a smart idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor so that you can address any health problems
you might have and learn about important changes to make in your diet and habits.
Massage can play a role in preparing you to conceive by helping you to become more aware of
your body and your health. Once a couple has decided to try to have a baby, there can be a lot of emotional turmoil related
to whether or not conception has occurred each month. Massage can help to alleviate some of this tension and keep you in tune
with your body. If you are trying to conceive, it is important to let me know, so that I can make appropriate adjustments
to my routine for you.
As for the year after childbirth, any mother can tell you that a woman's body does not
bounce back instantly from having been pregnant. Dramatic changes have occurred in every organ system, and some of those changes
are slower to reverse themselves than others. Massage can help support the new mother while her body repairs itself
and readjusts to nonpregnant life. Some of the special concerns of the postpartum client include: musculoskeletal and postural
changes, surgical incisions, digestive problems, fatigue, and postpartum "blues."
Is massage really safe during pregnancy?
In most cases, appropriate massage is perfectly safe during pregnancy, and has many benefits
for the mother and baby. There are some health issues for which massage is not appropriate, whether you are pregnant
or not.
What are some of those issues?
Massage is not appropriate for the following conditions:
- Fever
- Uncontrolled high blood pressure
- Systemic or acute infections
Other health issues may require the therapist to make some adjustments in your treatment, for
your safety and comfort. Please be sure to disclose any illnesses or injuries.
For women who are pregnant, massage is not appropriate if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Vaginal bleeding
- Severe abdominal pain
- Preecclampsia or ecclampsia
- No fetal movement in 8-10 hours
- Nausea
- Signs of premature labor
Please inform me if you are experiencing any of these issues.
What steps will the therapist take to be sure that massage is safe for me?
I will take a thorough health history; in some cases, I might ask for your permission to discuss
your medical condition with your doctor. If you are pregnant, you can expect three simple tests to determine if it is
safe to work on you: I will examine your legs for signs of inflammation, including redness, heat and swelling; I
will briefly manipulate your ankles to determine if there are blood clots in your lower legs; and I will apply
gentle pressure to the inside of your ankle to see if there are signs of abnormal swelling, or pitting edema. If any of these
tests indicates that there might be a problem, I will not work on you; I will advise you to see your medical caregiver as
soon as possible.
My obstetrician has me on bed rest. Can I get a massage anyway?
This will depend on the reason for the doctor's recommendation. In some instances, massage
might still be safely enjoyed--although there will be modifications to the routine (for instance, the session will be only
a half-hour long, and I will not work on your legs). If you are on bed rest, please inform me when you make your appointment,
so that I can make appropriate decisions about what to offer you, for your health and your baby's.
Do I have to be undressed for my massage?
Some people are comfortable being undressed for their massage, others are not. It is your decision.
If you choose to undress, either partially or completely, you will be covered at all times by a sheet. Only the part of your
body that I am working on will be uncovered at any time.
What if there is no room in my home for the massage table?
Having your massage while seated is an alternative. In this instance, please inform me
ahead of time, so that I can arrive with the appropriate equipment. All you will need to supply in this case is a sturdy table
(no pedestal tables) that can be placed against a wall or other stable support.
How does massage benefit me?
Therapeutic massage has benefits for virtually every system of the body. By improving circulation,
massage steps up the process of providing oxygen and nutrients to your body's cells--this speeds up healing time
for injuries and promotes tissue health in general. By decreasing the activity of your sympathetic nervous system (the
branch of the autonomic nervous system that is responsible for stress responses) and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous
system (which governs the restorative processes of the body), therapeutic massage helps to decrease your levels
of stress and support your body's ability to heal itself.
If you have suffered an injury or have pain related to postural problems or muscle imbalances,
massage can help you to recover. With its focus on the musculoskeletal system, massage can address postural
issues or imbalances between muscle groups that might lead to discomfort or injury.
