Stone massage for prenatal clients?

[JackNapier092]

How would you incorporate some stone massage into a prenatal massage? Cool/cold stones maybe? Face only maybe? Suggestions please!

 

[Chopsmom]

Really? Awwwww. 60 people looked at this and no one has anything to say?! I'm a MT student nearing graduation and just wanted some advice/info!

 

[Shanshannon]

I just don't know the answer .

Emily

 

[tiny]

I have looked at this post at least twice... and it's entirely common for posts to go for awhile before just the right person reads it and responds with the knowledge you seek.

I don't really know that there would be any rule against using a few cool stones during a pre-natal massage. (Perhaps for low back something?)
Though it's all subjective... what may feel good to one pregnant client may not feel so good to another.
Also my thought is that there is so much extra set up to make a pre-natal client comfortable... that having to mess with stones too may make the treatment not exactly cost effective for you. *shrug*

 

[McGregor]

i do hot stone massage a lot and was taught that as long as the pregnancy is healthy and past first trimester, it's ok..I didnt use them on the belly and i didnt get them very hot..hope this helps

 

[Orchid Quynh Lan]

I would err on the side of not using hot stones on a pregnant client. Many pregnant women have the tendency to overheat rather quickly. I'd especially not want to increase vasodilation in the legs and put the client at risk for potentially moving a clot.

Cold stones, yeah, maybe on the face or neck. I can't think of anywhere else I would want cold stones! Maestra's right... its really subjective, what one woman will like, another will not. Plus so much of your perception changes during pregnancy... I'm at 37 weeks along now, and massage techniques I enjoyed before thoroughly annoy me now, and vice versa.

 

[Delacy]

Good points. Food for thought! I appreciate everyone's feedback as always!

 

[LRTownsend]

The DVD "Healing Stone Massage 2" by Carollanne Crichton has a segment on doing warm stone massage on pregnant clients. I haven't watched it in a while but I believe she does a combo of warm stones and cold stones.

I would be very wary of using layout stones on a pregnant client due to the possibility of overheating them.

Angie

 

[YVONNE]

you should not use hot stones on pregnant women especially after the 4 month or so. google the hormone relaxin and it'll help you understand why. sorry, i can't concentrate enough right now to give you the answer myself. too tired.

 

[Transitional CatBunny]

Gee, I was taught it was alright as long as the stones are only warm and after the first trimester. and not on the tummy..I do not do any lay outs..i only went over her back with them a little..she loved it..there are so many different oppinions out there, esp. with pregnant clients..I guess it's best to be safe than sorry..

 

[Amayzing Asian Persuasion]

Gee, I was taught it was alright as long as the stones are only warm)

I think that this is the key point....the stones should be warm, not hot.

Angie

 

[nefertiti_1018]

I don't use stones on pregnant clients. Heat increases blood flow by 2x, and blood pressure will rise too. That and the clotting risks and swelling and whatnot are just not worth it. (I hadn't heard about using warm-only stones--versus hot stones--or using them on other areas besides the belly, so I don't know what to say about that...I've just avoided their use altogether--I personally feel it's less risky that way, so I'm definitely more comfortable that way. Though I am open to other info...)