Postpartum Bodywork

Postpartum bodywork is specialized therapy (like massage, craniosacral therapy, or abdominal therapy) for new mothers, offering physical & emotional healing in the first weeks/months after birth by easing muscle tension, reducing stress, aiding lymphatic flow, supporting C-section/scar healing, improving sleep, and balancing hormones, often incorporating techniques for pelvic floor & scar tissue. It helps the body recover from birth's impact, addresses childcare strain (shoulders, back), and provides nurturing support for mental well-being during this major life transition, ideally starting soon after birth with a practitioner aware of birth specifics. 

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Key Benefits

• Physical Recovery: Eases sore muscles, promotes deep relaxation, improves sleep, aids lymphatic drainage, helps shrink the uterus.

• Scar & Tissue Healing: Gentle work on abdominal scars (C-section, tears) to release restrictions and improve circulation.

• Emotional Support: Calms the nervous system, reduces anxiety, provides a safe space to process the birth experience, combats isolation.

• Addresses Strain: Relieves tension from holding/feeding the baby (neck, shoulders, back).

• Restores Balance: Helps the body return to its pre-pregnancy state and manage stress. 

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Types of Bodywork & Techniques

• Massage: Swedish, deep tissue, gentle pressure, focusing on tension areas like neck, shoulders, back, and abdomen.

• Abdominal Therapy: Gentle massage to encourage uterine involution and release scar tissue.

• Craniosacral Therapy: Gentle, hands-on work to release tension in the body's core.

• Pelvic Floor Work: Addresses pelvic floor muscle recovery, vaginal tension, and prolapse.

• Scar Tissue Work: Specialized techniques for C-section or episiotomy scars. 

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When & How to Start

• Timing: Can begin soon after birth (even 24 hours with medical clearance), during the body's heightened healing window (first 6-8 weeks), but can continue for months.

• Provider: Seek a practitioner trained in postpartum care who understands different birth experiences (vaginal, C-section, interventions).

• Positioning: Adapted for comfort, often side-lying or propped with pillows, especially after C-sections.