In this month's updates, Self Care Summer continues with a collaboration with a local photographer, Self Care Summer Bingo, Gaia Massage's summer reading, how Gaia Massage is participating in Massage for Everybody Week, and of course, a special provider spotlight with Mamas In Motion PT, including their most common FAQs!
Self Care Summer Continues!
Gaia Massage has some fun planned for this summer, and we're calling it "Self Care Summer!" Prioritize your self care this summer, it will make all the other fun things you're doing even more enjoyable if you're taking care of yourself!
I'll be partnering with Johanna of Balance Not Burnout Photographers. Johanna is a burnout coach for photographers, and also owner of Frames and Letters Photography.
She reached out to me to provide some self care tips to prevent and treat signs of repetitive strain and pain common with the physical demands of being a photographer.
Check out our Instagram Live on July 15th at 1pm!
Self Care Summer Bingo continues through the end of this month!
Completed cards will count as one entry towards a GIVEAWAY of a free focus session!
Learn more about this fun giveaway at the June Updates blog post.
Gaia Massage's Summer Reading
In June, I read and reviewed AJ Silver's book, Supporting Queer Birth. You can read my review in my blog post!
My summer reading continues with What God is Honored Here? by Shannon Gibney and Kao Kalia Yang and Holding Space by Amy Wright Green.
I'll admit, these aren't the typical summer reading beach reads, these are important preparation and recommended reading for a course I'm registered to take in August called "Holding Space for Pregnancy Loss." It's a course designed for all professionals working with the pregnant and postpartum populations. I'm taking it to provide the best and most competent care I can for my prenatal massage clients who may have recently experienced pregnancy loss, or who are pregnant after experiencing a loss. Continuing education is something I pride myself in, and is a way I can continue to provide the highest standard of care for my clients.
July Referral Partner Spotlight
Dr. Rachelle Sweeney PT, DPT & Dr. Christy Carosello PT, DPT
of Mamas In Motion PT
Both Dr. Christy Carosello and Dr. Rachelle Sweeney are Physical Therapists who specialize in Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy. Their private practice delivers the highest standard of one on one care to help women live pain free lives.
Why I recommend Mamas In Motion: Do you really need a Physical Therapist AND a Massage Therapist? Yep, sometimes! The type of specialized massage therapy treatment you experience from Gaia Massage is targeted to promote healing and quiet the nervous system. Often, I will recommend that my clients seek out care from Physical Therapist. Physical Therapists are highly skilled and trained to help strengthen and heal muscle tissue. I will refer my clients to PT to help healing occur more quickly, and to address symptoms that are outside my scope of practice as a Massage Therapist. Conditions such as pelvic pain and diastasis recti are always referred to Physical Therapists. PT & Massage simultaneously, are a powerhouse of healing and pain relief, and adding Mamas in Motion PT can provide a boost in healing and pain relief to your Prenatal Massage or Postpartum Massage therapy.
Mamas In Motion PT utilizes a one on one client structure, meaning you will never be booked at the same time as another patient. Your care is your provider's only focus during your appointment. They also provide convenient scheduling in-home or virtual sessions, after a free discovery call. The providers at Mamas In Motion utilize techniques including the creation of individualized home exercise programs, manual therapy, massage, cupping, and soft tissue mobilization.
A Conversation with Mamas In Motion PT
Is there anything new that you're excited about in your business?
"One special thing we have going on is that we will begin offering dry needling in September so we were going to feature that beginning in late July/August to build some interest. We are incorporating this tool to help both acute and chronic pain paired with appropriate movement to fully address our client’s needs."
What are three of your most Frequently Asked Questions?
Answer from Mamas in Motion: "We would not perform an internal examination until after your 6 week follow up with your provider, however there are many other areas we can address prior to the 6 week mark. We can instruct you in breathing and gentle mobility to be performed 2-3 weeks after giving birth and progress along your postpartum journey. We can also address potentially painful areas (hip, back, neck) that are often related to child care and feeding in the fourth trimester."
Answer from Mamas in Motion: "Absolutely! Pelvic floor PT addresses much more than urinary incontinence, we can address pelvic pain with intercourse, hip and back pain, labor and birth preparation, safe return to activity postpartum, assessment of diastasis rectus abdominis, and much more!"
Answer from Mamas in Motion: "Pelvic floor PT can address pain associated with pregnancy, safe exercise and activity modification throughout each trimester, labor and birth preparation (pelvic floor stretching, pelvic floor and abdominal coordination, breathing and positions to be used during each stage of labor)."
How I'm celebrating
Massage For EveryBODY Week
Every year, ABMP (Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals) celebrates Massage For EveryBODY Week. This year, I'll be celebrating this annual event with a post every day on the Gaia Massage Instagram and Facebook pages celebrating the history of massage therapy, and sharing why I love being a Licensed Massage Therapist!
Hi, I'm Samantha, owner and Licensed Massage Therapist at Gaia Massage, LLC. I'm here to empower women and pregnant people to help them feel better through massage therapy techniques specialized for pregnancy, and through sharing knowledge, tips, & tricks for self care!
Want to schedule massage? Click the button to schedule online, or contact me directly to request an in-home session!