Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy

Credit:  32 hours (3.2 CEUs)

August 17-20, 2009, Monday - Thursday,
9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (6:30 p.m. on August 19)
Fee:  $575 if paid in full prior to July 17/$625 after that date


Click here for Online Registration

Program Description   

This 32-hour specialization certification course in Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy is a hands-on intensive workshop.

Participants will learn:

• an integrative somatic approach incorporating the insights and selected techniques of Ida Rolf
• neuromuscular and myofascial therapy
• movement
• osteopathetic soft tissue techniques
• other Western methods
• applied tai chi principles
• emotional sensitivity

Well-researched guidelines will empower participants to safely and effectively modify techniques to address expectant women's concerns.

Pregnancy topics will include:
• Facilitating the physiological processes of gestation
• relieving common pregnancy pain, dysfunctions, and concerns
• alleviating musculoskeletal strain and pain
• reducing prenatal complications with preventative touch therapies
• recognizing potential benefits, contraindications and precautions
• working with high-risk, complicated, and bed rest pregnancies
• providing nurturing support and stress reduction
• enhancing couples' childbearing experience with touch
• modifying your technique repertoire for pregnancy
• designing effective, personalized sessions for your client

Postpartum topics will include
• Facilitating postpartum physiological adjustments
• restoring abdominal functioning
• rebalancing postural and movement patterns
• reducing the musculoskeletal strain of mothering tasks
• improving post-surgical recovery after Cesarean births
• supporting the somatoemotional integration of the childbearing experience

Labor and birth topics will include:
• Understanding labor physiology and psychology
• preparing clients physically and emotionally for birthing
• increasing clients' kinesthetic awareness for easier labors
• facilitating relaxation, pain reduction, and progress of labor
• supporting laboring women and their partners with touch
• managing the practical challenges of providing labor massage therapy

Additional topics will include:
• Reviewing relevant touch and maternity research
• embodying and guiding efficient, stress-free body mechanics
• communicating and cooperating with other perinatal healthcare professionals
• confronting ethical issues in perinatal healthcare (2 ethic hours)
• developing effective promotional strategies for business success

Prerequisites:

  • This certification workshop is designed for experienced graduates of 500-hour diversified somatic programs.

  • Other perinatal professionals are admitted with instructor approval.

  • Advance study requirement includes reading the required textbook, Pre- and Perinatal Massage Therapy, at an approximate cost of $35.

    • The textbook can be purchased from Body Therapy Associates

    • Participants who prefer to order by mail can check the website for the exact charge and send a check, payable to:

Body Therapy Associates
11650 Iberia Place, Suite 137
San Diego, CA 92128.

Course Instructor:  Linda Hickey

Linda Hickey, one of Canada's leading maternity massage therapy experts, became a massage therapist and found her "home" after a 20-year career working with families in social services. Originally from Toronto, Ontario, she relocated to Calgary to be near the Rocky Mountains, a landscape she loves.

Linda graduated in 1995 from Mount Royal College's Massage Therapy Program. Since then her private practice has been centered in the birth community. She loves the changing, flowing bodies and energy of pregnant women and new mothers nurturing themselves and their babies and children. She shares her experiences through her writing, public speaking.

In her commitment to disabled communities, she co-founded PACE - a rehabilitation program for children with cerebral palsy that integrates massage as a valued supportive therapy.

She co-created and practices at Synergea Family Health Centre in Calgary, a new collaborative care community where massage therapists, midwives, chiropractors and other affiliated professionals join together with women and their families to provide for health and well being.

Linda has been working and teaching with Carole Osborne-Sheets, founder of Body Therapy Associates, since 1995. Students overwhelmingly respond to her warmth, sincerity, and talent with rave reviews. She is a naturally gifted and thoughtful educator, expressing her passion for maternity massage through her work, writing, teaching and her life.

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