Dreading going past your due date? Schedule a due date labor stimulation massage!

Are you stressed about your due date, and having it come and go with no baby yet? Stressing over your due date is so disheartening. Right about week 38 is when pregnant mommas have had enough! Nothing is comfortable anymore; walking, sleeping, sitting, just moving is so exhausting. 

So instead of stressing about that day, how about scheduling a massage? It turns that day into a guaranteed relaxing and rewarding day to celebrate you coming so far. The worst that could happen is you get a relaxing massage and continue being pregnant for a few more weeks, OR the massage relaxes your body and lowers stress hormones and releases feel-good hormones into the bloodstream that jump start your labor! Acupressure has also been shown to significantly impact the body’s ability to go into labor. Certain essential oils can help stimulate uterine activity as well. I use doTERRA essential oils, and have had much success. I use all of these in a Due-Date Labor Stimulation Massage.

With all of this, your due date will turn into a wonderful day to look forward to, regardless of the outcome! Let me help you celebrate your 40 week mark by pampering you and easing your aching, beautiful body! (Baby will love it too!)

Benefits of Labor Massage and Hiring a Labor Massage Therapist HypnoDoula

On a physiological level, our bodies change so drastically so quickly as we go through the process of bringing a baby into this world, that it is no wonder we are met with a variety of aches and pains, and that our bodies can feel foreign to us. Our ligaments, joints, muscles and skin are all being pulled and stretched and strained, and we experience an imbalance between them all. It is important to help the body transition, and relax, and strengthen what is weak and tired so that we can relieve the pain caused from the imbalance. 

Touch is very powerful. The right touch can be the ultimate healer, more powerful than any drug. It can be the difference between life and death.Truthfully, we cannot live without touch. No drug can substitute it. I see dramatic, real life changes in my client's quality of life every day, and they are healthier inside and out. It only makes sense to use massage during the most physically challenging and changing thing we will ever go through.

Some benefits of pregnancy and labor massage include:

• Helps control blood pressure
• Helps relieve nausea, constipation and indigestion
• Helps reduce swelling and edema and increases circulation
• Increases flow of nutrients to the placenta
• Relieves leg pains and cramps
• Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
• Strengthens the immune system
• Directly affects the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, reducing stress and its consequences for mother and baby
• Alleviates anxiety and depression
• Strengthens muscles in preparation for labor and delivery
• Allows for deeper breathing and a better night’s sleep
• Maintains body posture and balance
• Reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention
• Counterpressures can almost completely relieve pain from contractions
• Reaching a state of hypnosis keeps your whole body and mind relaxed and significantly reduces any pain or discomfort
• Shortens hospital stay
• Reduces postpartum depression

A laboring woman's back in particular can get extremely sore, and a good rub can make a world of difference. The back pain can be more intense than the contractions - this has been named 'back labor', and occurs in 25% of births. Usually the back pain is caused by baby being in the 'occput posterior position', in which baby's back is pushing against mom's spine. If your back is sore during childbirth, make sure you speak up, don't grin and bear it! It may mean you're experiencing 'back labor' and you need to change position onto your hands and knees to ease pressure on your spine, and receive a good back rub". - (http://naturalmamanz.blogspot.com)

Massage can also decrease labor time by keeping the body relaxed and therefore allowing the cervix to open without tension. Using the shoulder press and counterpressures creates a grounding feeling and an opposing force that counteracts the pressure from the surges. Also, using light-touch massage to create goosebumps confuses the nervous system and provides temporary relief and releases oxytocin, the body's natural pain reliever. Focusing on the head, neck, back and arms using a sweeping motion with your fingers will create this effect. There are also acupressure points that, when held, can decrease pain. This is only released when a woman feels relaxed and safe, and so therefore having a calm, quiet and relaxing atmosphere are integral to achieving this wonderful natural drug. 

When you hire me as your Professional Massage HypnoDoula, I am on call from 38 weeks on. I will be there during your labor as soon as you feel you need me, regardless of the hour. You can hire me to come for 3, 6 or 24+ hour packages. Any unused hours roll over into postpartum massage hours that you can use as soon as you'd like. Hiring me in addition to or separate from your main doula will only help you have more of the support necessary to keep you relaxed and calm through your labor and delivery. I work hand in hand with doulas, but can also stand alone to support you through massage. 

I am a mother of two boys and one girl, and took Lauralyn’s hypnobirthing class and had a 
wonderful birth utilizing those techniques. I am also a Certified HypnoDoula and have attended many different kinds of births, from home to hospital, natural to epidural and even C - section. I believe in empowering women with the knowledge of all the many options available to the pregnant mother. I believe that touch is vital to healing, and is incredibly powerful in aiding relaxation and alleviating pain and discomfort.

Father's Day Special!

Now it's daddy's turn!! This Father's Day, let's give a gift that EVERY daddy deserves for all their hard work!! From now until June 15th, buy a gift certificate for dad's only for 20% regular price. Buy a 60 minute massage for only $40, or get the most bang for your buck by spoiling her with a 90 minute massage for only $64! That is a screaming deal. He will love it, and love you for giving it, I promise! 

Mother's Day Special!!!

This Mother's Day, let's give a gift that EVERY mother needs! Relaxation, an escape, a chance to do something for her, instead of everyone else! From now until May 11th, buy a gift certificate for mom's only for 20% regular price. Buy a 60 minute massage for only $40, or get the most bang for your buck by spoiling her with a 90 minute massage for only $64! That is a screaming deal. She will love it, and love you for giving it, I promise! 

Nurturing the Mother - Certification in Pregnancy, Labor and Delivery, Post partum, and Infant Massage

I have always been fascinated in pregnancy, and the miracle that our bodies are capable of, and the process of how a baby enters this world. Our bodies are amazing, miraculous, and so capable.The key is to be in tune with our bodies, to listen, and be enabled to conquer the pain. Touch is very powerful. The right touch can be the ultimate healer, more powerful then any drug. It can be the difference between life and death.Truthfully, we cannot live without touch. No drug can substitute it. I see dramatic, real life changes in my client's quality of life every day, and they are healthier inside and out. It only makes sense to use massage during the most physically challenging and changing thing we will ever go through. 

On a physiological level, our bodies change so drastically so quickly as we go through the process of bringing a baby here, that it is no wonder we are met with a variety of aches and pains, and that our bodies can feel foreign to us. Our ligaments, joints, muscles an skin are all being pulled and stretched and strained, and we experience an imbalance between them all. It is important to help the body transition, and relax, and strengthen what is weak and tired so that we can relieve the pain caused from the imbalance. 

There are so many, many benefits to receiving massage not only during pregnancy, but during labor and postpartum, and I cannot wait to learn in depth all the ways I can do this for my pregnant clients. I distinctly remember being in labor with my first, and in complete awe at how intense the pain was. I felt out of control, and not prepared. It was overwhelming. But I remember my nurse coming over, and during a contraction she came and pushed on my knees very hard, down into the bed while they were bent and my knee caps were pointing to the ceiling. I couldn't believe how much that one move alleviated the pain in my back and hips during that contraction, and I knew I wanted to learn more. I was so content with just getting an epidural, and I figured that I would just have to go through a little labor before that, so I didn't really plan on learning all the techniques to cope with labor. But it turned out that I was in heavy labor for 12 hours before I was able to get my epidural, and wished I knew more about what I could do to alleviate the pain, and cope. 

When I was pregnant the second time, I researched all about labor techniques, doulas, and midwives. I knew there was so much more I could benefit from and learn, rather than just going into the hospital and expecting it to be easy as pie. I still felt I would probably end up getting an epidural, but I knew that there was an awful lot of labor you normally go through before it, so this time I wanted to be prepared, and in tune with my body. 

Unfortunately, I had no choice but to have a C section because of Vasa Previa at 35 weeks. But I remember feeling so nervous that morning, and during the surgery, I was starting to get so anxious. The anesthesiologist did something so simple, but made a huge difference. He was right at the top of my head, and he noticed I was feeling a little shaky, so he started to gently rub my head. I immediately felt better. Such a simple thing, but so powerful. Touch IS powerful! 

I can't wait to learn so much more, and I can't wait to be prepared to facilitate healing, calming pain relief, and promote healthier pregnancies  and deliveries!!! If you are expecting, or know someone that is any time after June 8th and might be interested in learning more, please let me know!! Here is a list of the benefits:

Pregnancy Massage

• Helps relieve nausea
• Increases circulation
• Increases flow of nutrients to placenta
• Aids in postural realignment
• Gives relief to joint discomfort
• Relieves minor edema by aiding venous return
• Opens chest for deeper breath and supports learning deep breathing
• Fetus receives gentle massage and relaxation benefits
• Teaches awareness of body tension patterns

Labor Support Massage

May be performed by a massage therapist, a birth partner or doula. Techniques will include:

• Relazation strokes
• Jaw release techniques
• Lower back pain compression
• And movements with massage, such as squatting and pressure points
• Massage has been shown to reduce labor time, labor pain, and even technical intervention

Postpartum Massage

Massage in the postpartum period helps bring the body into it’s pre-pregnancy alignment. A massage within the first week of postpartum feels wonderful. It flushes lactic acid out of the tissues relieveing sore and achy muscles.

• It supports and enhances the realigning process, with a focus on the pelvis and ribs
• Assists breast feeding, alleviating tightness, helps with some breastfeeding difficulties
• Aids in the process of the uterus returning to its normal size
• Release shoulder, neck, and arm tension from the care and feeding of and infant
• Helps relieve tension from the birth process
• Helps the mother regain vital energy (chi) to help reduce fatigue
• Supports fluid balancing
• Encourages pelvic and abdominal organs to return to the pre-pregnant positons

Infant & Newborn Massage

• Aids in the bonding process between parent and child
• Increases communication skills through touch
• Alleviates digestive discomfort (colic)
• Supports the growth of nerve pathways
• Enhances sleep

Hot Towel treatment now included in all massages

Hello everyone! I am updating my practice and including Hot Towel treatments in all of my sessions. This truly is a pampering add-on and I felt it should just be included with any treatment my clients receive. Also, I updated my price list on my menu. Please take a look. As an incentive to try out this new add-on, come in any time this month and receive a free Hot Stone treatment on your feet or neck/head! Simply mention this post! See you soon!

Hot Towel Massage, 30 minutes to Heaven...

Happy New Year everyone! To start this year off, I am introducing a new option on my menu. Hot Towel Facial Massage, and Hot Towel Foot Massage. The facial includes head, neck and decollete and will melt your stress and headaches, and the foot massage includes lower legs and implements Reflexology. Separately they are 30 mins long, and can be combined for 60 minutes of heaven. Can also be an add-on to your regular massage for a discount. For this month only, come in for $10 off the regular price. Can't wait to introduce this to you all!

A real soultion to pain

Do you have migraines? Headaches? Chronic tension and pain? Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Tennis Elbow? Knee pain? IBS? Depression? Well guess what, massage therapy can help. I've seen it help numerous of my clients, and often after they've tried everything under the sun to fix it, but nothing worked. I massage to help heal, to fix the problem. A massage for relaxation is nice, but often we can't afford "nice". We need real results, real relief from real problems that interfere with our normal life. My goal and desire is to alleviate your pain, and bring relief. I specialize in Injury, Trigger point and Structural Massage, and I will work with you to help you feel your best. Give me a chance, and I promise I won't disappoint. I have availability this week if interested.

Moved!

After 4 months, I have decided to move my business back to my home. Although the salon was such a fun place to work, and a great social atmosphere, it was not conducive for a relaxing massage. With all the noise of the salon, it was hard for both my clients and myself to transcend into a world of bliss.
So, I'm bringing it back home, to my beautiful spa room, that is quiet and peaceful and perfect. Good news is, it's only about a minute away from the salon, right here in Alpine, so it shouldn't be any inconvenience for my clients to follow me :) I am very excited to have control of the atmosphere again, as well as opening up more hours.

So here is my Super Summer Special for booking with me in August! Book any massage at regular price, and get a Hot/Cold Stone add on for free! It really makes all the difference in the massage, and really helps in the healing process of your muscles. So please come in, and mention this special at the time of booking! Also, I have lowered my prices slightly! Check out my pricing list on my blog. Can't wait to see all of you soon!

Latissa Graham
Healing Power of Touch

Prenatal Massage

Did you know...

Prenatal massage can greatly reduce swelling and pain in your legs due to sciatic nerve pain or aches and pains in your legs and feet. It moves the lymph and water retention due to decreased circulation to the lower half of your body during pregnancy. I have had many a blossoming client find relief from their achy, swollen feet and sciatic nerve pain that they have dealt with throughout their pregnancy, especially during the third trimester.

Prenatal massage can also decrease the pain of those pesky Braxton Hicks contractions and relax your body enough to let that tension go. Massage will decrease stress, (emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and of course physically) so if your doc says that horrible phrase (bed rest) due to too much stress, this may be your answer.

Prenatal massage can significantly help with regulating your hormone levels that are linked to relaxation and stress. Women who received a massage twice a week for only five weeks had a decrease in the stress hormones such as cortisol and the happy hormones, serotonin and dopamine were increased. Because of this, there were fewer complications during labor and delivery, and also with the health of the newborn.

Prenatal massage is just wonderful, and well-deserved, when your body is constantly changing and working so hard to create life. It was the best thing I did for myself during my very complicated pregnancy, so I can say from personal experience that it helps, and makes all the difference.

Summer special!!

Right now, if you call and book a massage with me from now until the end of this month, you will receive $10 off any massage!! You can book to receive your massage later, but you must call to schedule it before the end of this month to receive the $10 off. Come in and take advantage of this great deal!! You'll love my new place!

Mother's Day Special!!

Hello all you WONDERFUL mothers!
This is a blog post you want to slyly get your husband to read! This week only, come in and get a massage, and then buy a gift certificate for $15 off! But what if you don't want to buy two massages? Well, if your husband or son or daughter or friend wants to come buy a gift certificate for you, they can purchase 1 for $10 off, 2 for $25 dollars off, or 3 for $35 off total price! That is a great deal, so tell all your loved ones that THIS is what you really want for Mother's Day, an hour or two of pure bliss and rejuvenation!!

Can't wait to see you!

Latissa Graham
L.M.T

New Salon and Spa

I am so excited to announce that I will be moving my business to the ever-popular and trendy Relflectionz Salon and Spa in Alpine on Main St. This salon is also a boutique and offers everything from hair and nails to esthetics and massage. Everyone there is such a delight to work with and they are all so very talented, you will not be disappointed with anything you receive! I just started on Thursday last week and will be working every Tuesday and Thursdays and an occasional Saturday. My room is beautifully decorated and very relaxing, and my hands are ready to send you to heaven :) I will also be doing chair massage to fill in my time, and will be charging $10 for 15 minute massages if you're just looking for a quicky but a goody :) Call the salon at 801-763-7401 to schedule an appointment this week and I will give you a card to come back for a free 15 min Reflexology or Cranial Sacral session! You must ask for it at our appointment to receive this awesome freebie!! So excited to see all of you and help you feel your best. Love you all!

Not your average "fluff and buff" Therapist

If you are one of those people who love "fluff and buff" massages, I'm not your therapist. But if you are one of those people who need results, have real pain you are dealing with, and want to feel a difference when you get off my table, I'm your girl. I believe that if you are going to spend your hard-earned money on a massage, you better be able to see the benefits right after. That's the kind of work I do. And my clients appreciate it. Let me know if you're sick of trying cortizone shots and doctors who want to do surgery on you, and come and try me. Many have seen an improvement in the very first visit.

New addition :)

Healing power of touch will be offering Hot and Cold Stone Massage very soon! I am very excited for this new service that will be on the menu! There are so many wonderful benefits of receiving Hot Stone and Cold Stone therapy. The basalt stones are warmed in a electric roaster with water, similar to a crock pot, and applied to the meridians. Then they are used to massage the muscles. The heat is wonderful for the muscles, and promotes a quicker relaxation response. Hot stone massage is used as a therapy to relieve certain health problems such as arthritis, anxiety, stress, back pain, depression, insomnia and circulation. Hot stone massage improves blood circulation through the body and eliminates toxins out of the body. It helps to maintain a healthy heart. Also, Cold Stone massage is used to treat migraines and injuries. It really is a wonderfully relaxing experience, with so many benefits, and I cannot wait to offer this to my clients!