Pregnancy massage with mother lying on her back.

For nine to ten months during pregnancy, a woman’s body devotes all of its energy to the baby developing within her womb. This is a crucial time for a woman to eat nutritious foods, stay fit, get enough rest and use massage to ease any discomfort as her body compensates for the extra weight and size of the baby.

When choosing a massage therapist to work with, pick one that has been trained in pregnancy massage and has experience. There are several things to take into consideration during a pregnancy massage session. Trained therapists are able to work with the client in many varied lying

Therapist using a Sports Massage Stroke

Athletes looking to improve performance will benefit from Sports Massage. Often it is assumed that only elite athletes would get a sports massage however, anyone that works out, uses their body extensively in a work situation or competes in a sports event would benefit from a sports massage. Sports Massage can be done before an event, after an event or regularly as part of a maintenance routine.

Sports massage can be relaxing, but it can also be uncomfortable on occasion especially if a stressed or injured area is being worked on. Compression, kneading, muscle stripping and tapotement are some of the basic strokes used. Compression is a rhythmic up and down broad motion stroke that encourages increased circulation to superficial, as well as, deeper muscle tissues. Kneading (like kneading dough,) aids in releasing muscles from the muscles below them. Muscle stripping is when the therapist separates adjacent muscles so they work independently and more efficiently. And, tapotement is that drumming or karate chop-like stroke that stimulates a large muscular area.