You’re no longer considered postpartum when your body has largely returned to its pre-pregnancy state.

This is a gradual process, officially recognized for up to 12 weeks (the “fourth trimester”) by ACOG, though full physical and hormonal recovery can take 6 to 12 months, or even up to a year — with some physical changes like hair loss or menstrual cycles potentially lasting longer.

Key Timeframes to Keep in Mind

• First 6-8 Weeks: The most intense recovery phase, often called the “fourth trimester,” where your body starts healing from childbirth. 

• Up to 12 Weeks: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) considers postpartum care to extend this far, though some bodily functions may still be normalizing. 

• 6 Months to 1 year: Many experts suggest this is a more realistic timeframe for full physical recovery, including hormone regulation, return of menstruation, and pelvic floor healing, especially after a C-section or difficult delivery. 

Safety Considerations

As we’ve mentioned throughout the series, there are potential risks with postnatal massage, and this is why a conversation with your doctor before booking an appointment is so important.

That said, here is a handful of health conditions that can be affected by postnatal massage. These are specifically associated with the increase of blood flow that massage can cause …

The post At What Point Are You No Longer Considered Postpartum? appeared first on Lighthouse Healing.

Let’s take a deeper look at each of these conditions and how postnatal massage can help …

Baby Blues

New mothers can experience the “baby blues,” which often involves symptoms including mood swings, increased feelings of anxiety and sadness, reduced appetite, and difficulty sleeping. 

Postpartum Depression

This is a severe type of depression that affects some women after giving birth. Symptoms include mood swings, withdrawing from friends and family, loss of appetite, and difficulty bonding with the baby. 

Pain

After giving birth, women may experience pain throughout the body as well as residual muscle aches.

Vascular Problems

Pregnancy causes an increased pressure on the leg veins, causing some women to experience varicose veins (twisted enlarged veins).

That all said, massage therapy can increase blood flow, and potentially have an effect on certain health conditions. If any of the following health conditions are present, talk with your doctor before scheduling a massage …

Feel free to reach out if you have questions, or visit my Scheduling page to book a massage.

Thanks for visiting!

The post Why You Might Need Postnatal Massage appeared first on Lighthouse Healing.

Lighthouse Healing Massage Therapy is having a holiday promotion.

Here are the details …

HOW TO ENTER

Runs from December 1 – December 31st 2020

1. Get a service from me (massage, shamanic healing, infant massage instruction, Yomassage): You get one ticket. Schedule a session
2. Purchase a gift certificate (either in person or online) and you and the person you gift it to, will each receive one ticket. If you purchase a gift certificate for yourself, you will get 2 tickets. Purchase gift certificates
3. Refer a new client to me AND they book a session between 12/1 – 12/31 – both you and your referral will each receive a ticket.
4. FB entry: If you are a member of my FB page: If you like, share, and tag 2 friends – you and your two friends will each receive a ticket. Go to the Lighthouse Healing Facebook page

All tickets will be entered into a daily drawing. 31 prizes will be given away. Prizes must be picked up from Lighthouse Healing Massage Therapy, LLC by January 31st, 2021. No shipping or delivery. Contactless pick up can be arranged. Unlimited amount of tickets. One prize per person. Prizes given out on a first come/first serve basis. All winners will be contacted by email on January 2nd. If I do not have your email address, I cannot contact you if you are a winner. I will also post FB winners on the Lighthouse Healing FB page.

PRIZES

• Yoga mat
• Massage therapy ball
• Blue tapestry
• Dream tapestry
• Casserole cookbook
• Keepsake Holiday Recipe cookbook
• Anti-stress Health Orbs
• Plant Therapy Tranquil Synergy roll-on essential oil
• Plant Therapy Relax Synergy roll-on essential oil
• Plant Therapy Meditation roll-on essential oil
• Plant Therapy Balance Synergy roll-on essential oil
• Lighthouse stress ball
• Norwex Blue netted dish cloth
• Mexican multicolored blanket
• In addition – the client with the most tickets will receive one free service!

Thanks for visiting Lighthouse Healing Massage Therapy, and stay well …

The post Holiday Promotion 2020 appeared first on Lighthouse Healing.

Have you ever wondered how can you extend the benefits of massage in-between sessions?

Here are 11 proven tips to help you do just that!

• Drink water. It combats dehydration, which has it’s own set of problems. Staying hydrated can ward off headaches, too. Also, coffee doesn’t count as water.  : )
• Breathe. So simple, yet sometimes hard to remember, make sure you’re not holding your breath. It helps get that oxygen to your muscles to help with repair. Being mindful of your breath can also be useful as a mini-meditation.
• Move your body. It doesn’t have to be exercise. You don’t even have to sweat or raise your heart rate. Just move your body.
• Stretch. Keep those muscles open and relaxed for as long as possible. Retrain your body and brain that this is the way you want to feel, open and loose. Gentle stretching works great — no overextending!
• Strengthen weak muscles. It will help your body work optimally and allow all muscles to do what they were made to do and not compensate for each other. The result is less pain and strain.
• Use heat or cold. Have a general feeling of achiness or chronic dull pain? Put a hot pack on the tight muscle for a while, or take a hot Epsom salt bath. Tight muscles love heat! Or, if you’re experiencing inflamed tissue that has acute pain or feels like it’s “on fire,” throw some ice on it for 10-15 minutes.
• Find ways to manage your stress. What makes you smile? What do you look forward to coming home to? Is it walking your dog, petting your cat, listening to music, baking bread, talking to a friend on the phone? Whatever makes you happy — do it — even if it’s only for a few minutes a day. Plan little treats for yourself at the end of each day or each week, so you have something to look forward to.
• Get some sleep. Real, actual sleep helps your body and mind repair. 
• Eat healthy food. Get some nutrients in you to repair any damaged tissue we are working on. Whole foods, as opposed to overly processed, are always preferred.
• Get regular massage. Make sure you don’t go too long withoug a massage. It’s OK to have body work BEFORE your body feels tight, tense or painful. Regular massage can help you sleep better — and who doesn’t like to sleep well?
• Talk to your doctor: If you aren’t seeing improvements in your condition, or you feel worse, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor to see if your symptoms are related to something non-muscular based.

I hope these tips help you feel great in-between your massage sessions.

Thank you for visiting Lighthouse Healing Massage Therapy!

The post Aftercare: How to Get the Most Out of Your Massage appeared first on Lighthouse Healing.