Eliana and Slaven Trinaistic have been providing services in massage therapy and shiatsu therapy since the late 1990's. They are available for clinical work on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Optimum Health Centre in Toronto, 1246 Yonge Street, Suite 303.
"Massage therapy additionally reduced stress during labour and increased the quality of the womenˇ¦s experience of childbirth. It is interesting to consider that these immediate effects of massage may have affected other longer term effects measured such as decreased time in labour, decreased hospital stay, less touch sensitivity and less postpartum depression. A further benefit of massage therapy during labour is that of psychosocial support - by involving the partner in the giving of massage it was reported that the womenˇ¦s experience during labour was improved. "
A Review of the Literature for the Use of Massage Therapy during Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery and Infancy by Amanda Baskwill, RMT* and Trish Dryden, M.Ed., RMT**
Pregnancy massage therapy is covered byextended medical insurance if it is performed by registered massage therapists. Please check with your insurance company to see if they are covering massage therapy.
PREGNANCY SHIATSU
reflects an ancient tradition of balancing the body during the period of a woman's life when she is going through magnificent change at all levels: physical, mental, emotional andspiritual. Two main meridians that regulate the change are the Governing Vessel (GV or Du Mai) and the Conception Vessel (CV or Ren Mai). These meridians are also the first to develop in a fetus, and are located in the centre of the body dividing it in two equal halves.
They also regulate the flow of PrenatalJing, the ancestral energy we inherited through our parents. Postnatal Jing is derived from ingested food and adds vitality to the Prenatal Jing. Jing for women runs in 7-year cycles and for men in 8-year cycles. Chi in the body and Jing are mutually dependent, and a poor quality of Jing may result in premature aging, sexual dysfunction and difficulties in conceiving.
Shiatsu for Pregnancy is used to strengthen exhausted meridians by holding and soft touching. Pregnancy Shiatsu is softer than regular Shiatsu, but even with soft and light pressure (Kyo) results can be quite dramatic. Traditionally, Pregnancy Shiatsu is performed on the floor, although we use a table. No oil is used. The unborn becomes a participant in the treatment, and occasionally responds to stimulus. Pregnancy Shiatsu is a beautiful and rich experience for mother and unborn baby that strengthens the relationship and improves stamina in both participants. I have been practicing Pregnancy Shiatsu since 1998, and I have been using it throughout my own pregnancy and postpartum period. The pioneer in the field of Pregnancy Shiatsu is Suzanne Yates, a Shiatsu therapist located in Bristol, England, with whom I have previously trained. You can find more about Suzanne's inspirational and pioneering work in Pregnancy Shiatsu on her website.
The first three months in a baby's life are usually called the fourth trimester: there is still a lot of balancing to be completed. Postnatal Yoga, gentle stretching and plenty of rest along with gentle treatments will help adjustments.
Book Your Pregnancy Massage Here
STONE THERAPY IN PREGNANCY
can be very beneficial for non-complicated pregnancies. Heated stones are used much like hot packs. The use of external heat extends the muscles and improves pain and tension-related issues in the lower back, shoulders and neck. The majority of work is done on the Triple Heater Meridian which (according to Traditional Chinese Medicine) indicates the state of the immune system and helps to balance the warmth (secondary Fire) throughout the body. The work also focuses on the Pericardium Meridian, as well as the Spleen and Kidney areas, all related to pregnancy and labour. Black basalt stones are warm, smooth and nicely shaped, and provide a wonderful complement to any regular pregnancy massage treatment. They assist in strengthening the immune system, encourage deeper relaxation, and help the mother to tune into her baby and her body to promote an easier childbirth.
For the extensive list of various Pregnancy and Family Resources in Toronto, GTA and Ontario visit True Blue Therapy.
