Viola Zapolskaya

Prenatal massage predominantly uses the Swedish massage technique, which focuses on long, sweeping strokes applied to the body. Deep tissue pressure, is selectively used and monitored by the prescribing physician. Therapists who offer prenatal massage typically have experience recognizing which areas of the body will benefit most from therapeutic attention and will tailor the patient’s experience to meet their needs. This includes lumbar release into flexion (hyperlordosis caused by the need to offset the anterior/front of the body which houses the fetus), upper thoracic release into extension (breast swelling and growth), lower extremity and upper extremity lymphatic drainage to combat perinatal edema. Gentle mobilizations of the coccyx (tailbone) are utilized selectively and under the strict guidance of the physician only when necessary. Every aspect of the massage is contingent upon the mother's level of comfort.