Prenatal Bodywork for Natural Induction

Among the natural and holistic approaches to induction, there are a variety of methods that can facilitate and support the process of labor and delivery. Using clary sage essential oil is one strategy, in addition to CranioSacral Therapy (CST), acupressure, acupuncture, and soft tissue work. While it may be difficult to avoid "traditional" Western induction in all cases, the aforementioned alternative methods are generally less invasive and traumatic for the baby. For instance, traditional induction can sometimes cause the muscles to contract too much, causing the baby's shoulder to get stuck on the way out. 

Some specific means of naturally encouraging labor and delivery include rubbing clary sage oil on the bottoms of the feet or along spine, applying the oil to certain acupressure points, applying a drop underneath the nose, soaking a piece of cotton with a couple drops of the oil and inhaling, diffusing into a room, or misting some of the oil onto your pillow at night. All of these uses of clary sage oil are much more gentle at jump-starting labor when compared to use of chemicals like pitocin. Additional means of gentle induction include sexual activity, nipple stimulation, and application of rose oil. Some drink castor oil for encouraging labor, but this might not be the most desirable method. Other essential oils that may relax the body and promote uterine contractions include geranium, jasmine, lavender, peppermint, and ylang ylang. 

Bodywork sessions to help induce labor naturally should be scheduled 38-40 weeks. Ideally, the birth partner should also attend the session in order to learn and apply acupressure points while CranioSacral Therapy is simultaneously applied. If an induction is necessary, acupressure and neck/shoulder massages can be useful for promoting rest and relaxation, to reduce the pitocin dosage needed, and to make contractions more effective. Additionally, acupressure can promote milk production.

For more information on DIY techniques to help induce labor safely and naturally, visit Gail Tully's Spinning Babies website.

Bodywork for Head Injuries

While we generally think of football as the sport that causes the most head injuries, did you know that cycling is actually the leading sport to cause head injuries? It's true, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, 25% of sports-related head injuries are caused by cycling accidents. Then, football and baseball were tied at 14% each. What was the least common cause of sports-related head injuries you ask? Lucky for us in Minnesota this time of year, winter sports and fitness only account for 5% each. If anything, this research shows the urgency for always wearing a helmet when you bike. But, it also leads us to conclude that head injuries can occur from a variety of activities. CranioSacral Therapy (CST), as discussed above, may also be a safe and effective way to promote healing for head injuries, as it decompresses the bones. Following an impact, the cranial bones can get jammed up against one another, as the cranial bones are not fused together, but rather consist of several movable parts that fit together. When jammed up after an impact, imbalances in the spinal fluid can result, which then lead to other complications and health concerns in the body, such as headaches, vision problems, depression, etc. CST gently releases the cranial bones, promoting a faster recovery, mitigating trauma, and bringing the body back into balance so you can get back into the game in a reasonable amount of time.

Superstition Mountains Wellness Retreat

The wellness retreat this month will take place out of state (Arizona, to be precise) in the end of January, from Tuesday, the 19th through Friday, the 22th. Need a break from the cold and the snow? Anyone is welcome to join me, as long as you can get yourself to Arizona and back. We will spend two full days staying in a campground off the Apache Trail in the beautiful Superstition Mountains of Arizona.

CranioSacral Therapy for Infants

CranioSacral Therapy (CST) is not just for adults. It is also safe and effective for use on babies and children. In fact, it can be particularly helpful to calm infants, and assist with nursing. CranioSacral works to correct any compression that may have resulted during the birthing process by gentle physical touch of the practitioner that optimizes the alignment of the baby's palate, spine, and skull so that the baby can properly latch when nursing. In addition to nursing, CST also promotes healthy sleeping and pooping! 

While we don't know for sure if CST works for all babies, it is safe and gentle enough that it is worth a try. Furthermore, given my recent additional training in Upledger Somato-Emotional, (a particular type of CST), I am now very highly skilled at oral protocol with children, infants, and adults.

Learn more about CST for infants, and specifically for help breastfeeding facilitation here and here.

Self Care in the New Year

As we ring in 2016, please do not forget the importance of self care. Of course, self care can mean different things for different people, but if massage fits in with your plan for self care, remember that regularly scheduled massage is best. Ideally, massages should be scheduled once a month. This also works out in your favor, as you get a discount when you schedule your sessions in bulk. Consider committing to a regular day every month, such as the third Thursday, or third Saturday, or whenever works best for you. You can then go online and schedule that day for the next six months. 

Regular massages will help bring your body back into balance. This is crucial, given that there are multiple macro-level stressors present at this time including terrorism, economic changes, global warming, etc. These stressors will affect your ability to sleep and relax, which is when your body can heal. Massage also reinforces the immune system and flushes excess chemicals out of the body, which will not only protect you from bacterial infections, but also from cancer, and other environmental toxins you may be exposed to.