Below is listed the range of infused herbal oils that can be added onto your massage.

Read more about infused herbal oils, and complete a mini quiz to select which is best most indicated oil for you here.

Lavender

Well known for it’s calming and relaxing properties, it is soothing to your mind and body.

For those who feel uptight and tense, Lavender is beneficial as it helps to soothe anxiety but also to relax tight muscles. It also contains some anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Lavender is well suited to those with a dominance of Air and Ether elements, such as those closer to a Vata constitution.

Rose

Cooling and calming, rose oil balances excess heat in your muscles, joints and nervous system. It can lend both strength and softness to your nervous system. Think of the image of a rose with it’s delicate flowers which reminds us to embrace our softness, yet it is surrounded with sharp thorns that help to remind us to maintain our barriers.

Rose has an affinity with women’s health and the reproductive organs and has been used traditionally for menstrual concerns and period pain. It energetically assists in clearing and healing trauma that sits in this area.

If this is something that resonates with you, you may like to incorporate abdominal massage into your treatment with rose oil.

Rose is also vulnerary (wound healing), anti-inflammatory and astringent which makes is a lovely choice for skin that needs tightening and soothing.

Rose is well suited to those with a dominance of Fire and Water elements, such as those with a Pitta constitution.  

St Johns Wort

A classic nerve nourisher, St Johns Wort oil soothes all aspects of your nerves, helpful for those with tension, nerve pain and sore muscles, and is also healing to your skin.

It is well known as a herbal extract for it’s use as a mood balancer however it also offers some aspect of this as an oil infusion, providing a protective and restorative element. It can be helpful for those who experienced ‘frazzled’ nerves emotionally or have been going through high amounts of stress.

If you experience nerve pain, this can also be helpful to apply topically as an oil.

These pretty little yellow flowers will make a stunning red oil when infused.

St Johns Wort is well suited to those with a dominance of Fire and Water or Earth elements such as those with a Pitta or Kapha constitution.

Rosemary and Lemon

This blend is warming and stimulating to your nervous system, muscles and circulation. Rosemary is a popular choice for those with cold, sore muscles or who need some extra support with their blood flow such as those with cold hands and feet, fluid retention or feelings of stiffness and sluggishness.

An old wives tail says to place a sprig of rosemary under your pillow to enhance your memory, which have elements of truth as rosemary has been used as a herbal extract to support brain health and cognition. It is also commonly use to support the livers detoxification processes and to stimulate the digestion.

The blend of rosemary and lemon is well suited to those with a dominance of earth and water elements, such as those with a Kapha constitution.

Calendula

Deeply nourishing to the skin, this golden oil has anti-microbial and soothing properties and is renowned for it’s healing abilities.

Calendula is considered to be one of nature’s best healers, it has antimicrobial and vulnerary (healing) properties.

Those with skin concerns would benefit greatly from the use of this oil, such as those with eczema, dermatitis, dry skin, acne or aged skin.

Calendula is well suited to with a dominance of the elements earth and water, or air and ether, such as those with a Vata or Kapha constitution.

The post Herbal Oils appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

The use of whole herb infused oils came about from my desire to blend my love of herbal medicine into my massage practice. Herbs provide so many healing properties which I longed to introduce to my massage clients. And so I developed a small range of herbal infused oils for my massage clients to select from based on what their needs at the time are, as well as choosing what is most constitutionally indicated for them. Whole herb infused oils can enhance the already impressive effects of massage, from providing a deeper level of relaxation and muscle release, to deeper emotional and constitutional healing.

Herbs are broad and generous in their gifts, the different constituents contained within the plants provide a complex action, one of the reasons why the list of actions of a herb is often a paragraph long, and also why if one particular constituent could in isolation cause a side effect it is often found alongside another constituent which negates that harm. When herbs are extracted in their whole form I belief their true power is most received.

In modern herbal medicine herbs are traditionally used as an ‘herbal extract’, which is a blend of a water and alcohol extraction base at varying percentages. This is used as it has been found to extract the biggest variety of compounds within the plant (such as the phenols, polyphenols such as flavonoids, saponins, fixed and volatile oils, resins and alkaloids) to achieve the biggest benefit. Some plants actions are attributed to different components and such require a different ratio of water:alcohol in order to extract it. In the end it provides a complex but and somewhat whole reflection of the plant.

Compare this to an essential oil which takes a specific compound within a plant (the volatile oil) and focuses on this. In order to extract a volatile oil in sufficient quantity an enormous amount of plant matter must be utilised to prepare this extraction.

A whole herb infused oil is prepared different, and it infused a whole herb into a base oil to extract mostly the oil, but also some water soluble properties of the plant. The result is a cross between a herbal extract and an essential oil.

Unlike essential oils which require vast quantities of plant matter to create, whole plant oils use less herbs while conveying a broader range of healing components into the oil. This results in a subtler fragrance and produces more diversity of benefits when applied to the skin.

Body Oiling is a practice that has been around for many many years, it is most well known from it’s roots in Ayurvedic medicine as a practice termed Abhyanga

Benefits of regular body oiling.

• It stimulates the lymphatic system which benefits your immune health assists your body in removing waste matter and reduces fluid retention.
• Moving stagnation in lymphatic system is important for people who have sedentary lifestyles
• Through both the massage and some of the properties of the oil it helps to tonify muscles and ease tension
• Calms the nerves
• Balances the constitution/dosha when the correct oil is chosen by providing opposing elements
• Oil is heavy and has a grounding character, making it helpful for those who need this act of grounding emotionally and energetically
• Grounding is helpful for those who have more air elemental characteristics i.e Vata
• Body oiling can help to ground someone who has tension and anxiety, and the oil soothes the nervous system
• When applied through massage or the act of self body oiling Oil helps to provide a layer around you, it creates boundaries, which is helps for those who are highly sensitive to the world around them

“Oil massage should be used daily, to ward off old age, 
exhaustion and diseases of vata. It bestows good vision, 
nourishment of the body, long life, good sleep, and healthy skin.”

Astañga Hrdaya Sutrasthana 2:8-9a

In addition to the benefits from the herbs used, the base oil can be therapeutic. We use organic cold pressed sesame oil rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients, making it nourishing and healing to the skin. It is light in nature so absorbs well, and contains many beneficial fats to improve your skin’s integrity.

Your skin absorbs much of what is applied to it, so you need to choose carefully what you use on your body. The act of body oiling not only benefits the skin, but allows beneficial oils to be absorbed, bypassing your digestion and going directly to where they’re needed. Your nerves are coated in myelin sheath which is made from proteins and fatty substances, and oiling helps to nourish these, helping to healing and regenerate your nervous system.

Body oiling helps soothe the nervous system and energetically is considered to provide protection.

Benefits of Massage

Massage helps to improve blood flow to muscles, reducing pain and stiffness and improving the body’s healing ability. Tight muscle fibres and adhesions can be softened and released. It also assists in relaxation, reducing stress and tension, whilst helping to ground you.

Choose the herb oil that is most suited to you and add it onto your massage for $7.

If you would like to book a massage with a herbal infused oil, please contact the clinic to organise an appointment.

Make An Appointment.

Complete this quiz to find what oil is best suited to you, or click here to read through the whole list of options.

Which Herbal Oil is Right for you?

Make An Appointment.

The post Infused Herbal Oil Massages (with Quiz) appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Welcome to 2019! It’s in full swing, we’ve hit February already!

I am not back to normal clinic times, so for those who would like a refresher of where and when I am available, here you go:

Monday: Available for Skype Consults only

Tuesday: Closed

Wednesday: 1230-530pm at Windsor

Thursday: Closed

Friday: 11-7pm at Dural

Saturday: 9-130pm at Windsor

Sunday: Closed

You can book for Naturopathy or Massage in any of the clinic times, and you can book for Skype Consults (Naturopathy) on the Monday or any of the clinic days.

Contact me to book in

The post Clinic Times – 2019 appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Need some inspiration for gift giving this Christmas? I’ve compiled a list of present ideas for those people in your life who are interested in looking after the environment, reducing waste in their household and looking after their health. These gift ideas aren’t just good for Christmas, they’re good for any time of the year really – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthday presents, you name it!
With present ideas ranging from $4 to $149 there’s plenty of options for everyone.

Beauty and Body Care

Massage voucher

I don’t know many people who don’t enjoy massage. I think that a voucher for a pamper session may get you more brownie points than a pretty or useful object, because it sends the message to your recipient that you care, you think they deserve some pampering, and you’re acknowledging all the things they do for you that makes them need that pampering.

You can purchase a voucher for a massage with myself here.
30 minutes – $55
60 minutes – $100

Silk pillow

While initially the idea of gifting a silk pillow might seem a bit strange, silk pillows are a great way to look after the delicate face on your skin, as well as your hair. Cotton absorbs moisture from your skin, can cause friction on the surface of the skin which can lead to wrinkles over time, and can pull on your hair, which leads to more fly aways and split ends. Silk doesn’t do these things and so can be a simple way to look after your skin. They are more expensive than your typical pillowcase but when it comes to the investment that many women put into their skin care, its worth it in the long run.

Go-To has a pure silk pillowcase for $65, or Slip has a variety of colours and patterns at $85

Foam Roller

One of the things I recommend to my massage patients frequently is to stretch and foam roll. Using a foam roller helps you to reduce tension and tightness in muscles, and is also good for fascia.

There’s lots around, but this one is more affordable and straight forward. – Foam roller

Weleda Skin Food and Lip Balm

If you haven’t tried the Weleda Skin Food, then you’re missing out. This gorgeous cream is great for all sorts of skin issues, I love it for all the drier areas such as feet and elbows. This pack is good value and comes with a soothing rose fragranced lip balm.

Weleda Gift Pack – Beauty Essentials – $24.95

Lip Gloss & polish Kit

I use this mineral lip gloss a lot and it leaves a lovely feel, and is a pretty colour. This is a good price with the polish as well.

Mineral Fusion Lip & Tip Kit – $18

Waste Less

Stainless Steel Lunch Box

I’m a fan of a stainless steel lunch box as a way to reduce the amount of plastic we’re exposing out kids to. Most companies will use BPA free plastics, but I’m leaning towards the ‘better safe than sorry’ mentality and avoiding as much plastic as I can, because we don’t have the long term safety data on the new plastic that has replaced the old BPA type.

I like this one because it seals nicely – Seed & Sprout $44

Reusable coffee cup

Given that we know how big an impact disposable coffee cups are making on our landfill AND we want to reduce plastic exposure where possible, reusable coffee cups are a great idea for my fellow caffeine lovers.

I love my glass KeepCup and it gets used more than my other reusable coffee cups because of it’s sturdiness and lack of leaks, however my favourite is my very pretty Pottery for the Planet cup.

KeepCup Medium LongPlay – $34

Joco Medium Glass Cup – $29.95

Biome Ceramic Coffee Cup – $34.95

Metal straws

A great stocking filler is a metal straw – it looks pretty but it’s good for the environment. The more people using less disposable plastic straws, the better. There’s different colours and shapes to choose from, and prices range from $3.50 to $16.95.

Reusable Food Wraps

Instead of going through gladwrap like there’s no tomorrow, reusable food wraps are gentler on the environment, but also your health (less plastic exposure).

I use beeswax food covers like these ones but for a vegan alternative you can use these silicon wraps – $27.

Handkerchief

Save all those tissues heading into landfill and look cute at the same time by using a hanky. There’s lots of reasons why carrying a hanky is a good idea, and it’s not nearly as gross as some may think.

If you accidently leave it in your pocket it won’t cover your clothes in lint. It’ll just get clean.

If you haven’t blown your nose on it already you can mop your brow with it, use it as a barrier for unclean doorknobs, clean your glasses or phone screen and more, plus you can offer it chivalrously to a friend in need.

Ideally you’d have one for every day of the week, and change to a fresh one every day, washing at the end of the week. Hankies are pretty big so if you do need to blow your nose a few times on it there’s plenty of space.

Check out these gorgeous designs at $11.95.

 

Produce Bag

A lightweight string bag is a great option for putting your fruit and veg into at the grocers, because it won’t add too much onto the scales.

Choose one like this and you’ll be looking trendy at the same time.

Organic Cotton String Shopping Bag – $14.95

Composters

I’ve asked my parents to get me a pet waste composter for Christmas. Yes a bit strange I know, but that’s me.

I like that it will save the plastic bag usage in collecting the poos (I have a Labrador so have to collect daily), but with time it will improve my soil.

Just dig a hole, bury the composter and then start adding the dog poo along with the starter grains and it will start composting the poo down into the soil.

For a more traditional type of composter you have plenty of options.

I love my worm farm – since I’ve gotten the hang out how much to feed and water the worms they are thriving and I’m regularly getting liquid fertiliser for my garden. I got mine with a discount from my local council through https://compostrevolution.com.au.

Books

Recipe Books

Who doesn’t love a nice fresh bit of cooking inspiration! I for one love getting a new recipe book, and will keep it on the bench for weeks at a time while I chip away at the new recipes.

There’s endless choices, but here are some of my favourites.

Deliciously Ella The Plant Based Cookbook: 100 simple vegan recipes to make every day delicious  by Ella Mills – this has some gorgeous flavour combinations and is very inspiring for increasing the diversity of ways you have vegetables in your diet. I will have the meals as a side to a serve of meat or it’s fine to have it on it’s own. I love the Harissa Eggplant and the Cauliflower and turmeric salad.

Living the Healthy Life by Jessica Sepel – Gorgeous recipes and a lot of healthy eating and lifestyle tips as well. A very pretty book to look at and the recipes as tasty and easy to make.

Wholesome Child by Mandy Sacher. This one is a great choice for people who have young kids, because it’s meals are family focused as well as being great for cooking for kids. I’ve written a review of this book here, so feel free to check it out.

Kitchen Novice eBook and Meal Plan by Alison Mitchell (that’s me!) – Oh and did you know that I have a meal plan and recipe book? It’s designed around whole food for people who are getting familiar with cooking, so if you like the idea of a recipe book and healthy eating but don’t feel confident in the kitchen, check this one out. It also has a guide on learning to eat well, a meal plan and a shopping list, all for $24.95.

Other Books

Not everyone wants a recipe book, so here are some other great books you can consider.

One Bite At A Time by Sarah Lantz & Tabitha McIntosh – This book delves into the issues facing our health and our environment as a result of chemical exposure. It is a gorgeous book as well so would make a beautiful coffee table book, something that will certainly be a conversation starter.

The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape – Touted as being the only money guide you’ll ever need, this could be a great idea for friends or family alike. This book has ranked #1 on Amazon multiple times and is currently still #1 in wealth books. Financial stress is a big one and cutting this down will make this gift recipient grateful for your thoughts.

Idaho by Emily Ruskovich – There’s nothing quite like sitting with a good book and a cup of tea to relax and take your mind off the worries of life. Sadly I haven’t read a fiction book in over a year, so I asked my book loving husband what his favourite book of the last year was, and this was it. I asked ‘What do you like about it’, and true to his English Teacher form he replied: “An engaging story with well written prose and emotional poignancy.” Sounds good to me.

Audiobooks

Since having kids I don’t get much time to sit down and read, but not prepared to give up my fantasy novels I turned to audiobooks. When I’m cooking, driving by myself or going for a run I will put on an audio book and it helps me to chill out, but I’m still getting things done.

Audible books vary in price but if you get a membership you get a credit each month, making the books much cheaper in the long run.

I have gifted Audible Memberships before and it’s been well received. But you might just want to get it for yourself. I love my audiobooks – I went through the entire Outlander series on Audible, and my recent favourites are The Millenium Series (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo), The Kingkiller Chronicles (The Name of the Wind) and The Sellout.

I’ve also done a fair few non-fiction books on Audible such as Work Rules by Lazlo Block, Eat The Yolks, Gut and Food Politics.

Gift a membership here.

Other

Seed Card

A seed packet and gift card all in one, these cute little cards are a great gift for all ages.

Sow ‘n Sow Seed Card $9.95

Herbal Teas

I’ve tried a lot of different herbal tea blends and I keep coming back to Burton Health Tea. I love the herbal blends in each of them, but the flavours of the teas are carefully thought out and well executed. A 30 serve bag of tea is very cost effective and a great gift idea.

Perhaps you might like to give the TeaStress blend to a person who is under a bit of pressure in their life.

Or perhaps you know someone who gets sick all the time, in which case Immunitea might be a good choice.

Rest and Digest is one of my favourite blends – it helps to get he nervous system and digestive system talking to each other again, switching you back into a parasympathetic nervous system state.

Or the other option is Dandy Chai, a delicious blend that is warming and good for your digestion.

Check out the teas here, and if you use code NATNSW at checkout you will receive a 10% discount.

Burton Health Tea – from $9.00

Spiraliser

Spiralizer – Making zucchini noodles can be loads of fun, but if you get a good quality spiralizer you can make noodles out of loads more vegetables. Increase your vegetable intake and have fun doing it.

Water Filter

Remove the bad stuff, and put back in the good stuff with a water filter. I like this little one because it’s cost effective and can be carried around with you when travelling. It is made from plastic but you could fill it up, let it filter through them tip it into a stainless steel or glass bottle.

Mini Waterman Water Filter Bottle 600ml – $79.95

Why would you want to filter your water?

Chlorine in tap water is thought to negatively affect our gut bacteria balance, and it can also affect our iodine levels. Flouride is another chemical that can affect iodine levels and thyroid health, but if you’re still wanting to get the fluoride for your teeth, the amount you’re exposed to when rinsing your teeth when brushing them is enough to do it’s job. It also helps to filter our pesticide residue and other heavy metals.

Blue Blocking Glasses

Did you know that we are constantly exposed to blue light through TV screens, computers, phones and tablets. It affects our melatonin levels, a hormone that we make through our eyes in response to orange light. Altered melatonin levels can cause issues with hormone balance but mostly affects our sleep.

Blue light from the sky is actually important in the day to normalise our circadian rhythms and promote mental wellbeing, but when we’re being exposed to excessive amounts of it from our screens this can be a problem, and in addition the wavelengths from the screen are different to the blue in our natural environment which makes them harmful.

Clever people have found ways to counter this effect by tinting glasses – these glasses used to be very uncool, bright orange safety type glasses, but now there are glasses that look like normal glasses, and they even come with the option to put your prescription into them.

BLUblox is an Australian company that has created three types of lenses – the standard clear lense filters blue light from your computer screens which reduces eye strain and reduce the impact of the blue light on melatonin and other hormones.

You’ve also got the option of red lenses for that extra melatonin boost in the hours before bed, and yellow glasses to promote a heightened sense of happiness in the day.

So if you know somebody who works in front of a computer screen all the time, why not share this with them or pair for Christmas.

BluBlox – $149.95

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you make a purchase from using that link. This helps contribute to the ongoing costs of running this website. Thank you for your support.

The post Gift Guide for the Health and Environment Conscious appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

I am excited to be a part of this wonderful workshop series by Empowering Births. This three part, recurring workshop is focused around supporting, educating and empowering women in the period of time after birth, a time when mothers are often in need of much support.

Mothers can receive guidance, expert advice and support during these workshops.

My contribution to these workshops is a 3 part infant massage class, teaching you how to massage your baby safely and confidently. I will also be available to answer any Naturopathy questions you may have.

Friday 16th, 30th November & 14th December 2018.

Empowering Births team Cat & Melissa open & hold this space with a nurturing postnatal workshop, helping you ease into your 4th trimester. We will be sharing knowledge & support for you as new mothers to gain strong bonds with your babies.
Each session includes a 45 min baby massage & naturopathy Q & A.

Over the 3 days this workshop will cover breastfeeding, bathing, settling, sleep & more…

Includes FREE baby massage oil

Call or email for more information
Cat – empoweringbirths@outlook.com
0400 458 699

The post Post Natal Workshop appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

Are you searching for ideas for Mother’s Day gifts? I’ve come up with some awesome suggestions that I’m sure most Mum’s will love. From a gift voucher for a relaxing massage, to some organic, chemical free skin products, to a DIY decorated mug, you won’t be short of ideas after reading this.

Design your Own Beautiful Mug

Don’t want to spend much? Make Mum a gift! This DIY decorated mug is a great idea and will be a fun activity to do.
Start with a solid coloured mug (or a few) from a cheap store and decorate it. This could be a great one for the kiddies to do (with parental supervision of course).

My favourite is the Nail Polish Marble Mug. You could also use this technique to decorate votive candle holders, vases, saucers or potplants.
Marble Mugs

Using a Porcelain Marker pen you can decorate a mug in all sorts of ways
This link gives you ideas about how to transfer a printable picture so it’s easier to draw, or some inspiration to draw some geometric patterns.
Marker Mugs

High tea

Take your Mummy on a date to High Tea, or give her a gift voucher for another time.

Here are some lovely places to consider:
The Sebel, Hawkesbury – $44 pp
The Fairmont Resort, Leura – $49-$65 pp
Lilianfels, Katoomba, $49-$69 pp

A tea subscription.

Does your Mum love herbal tea? For a gift that will last well past May 14th, consider a subscription of organic herbal tea.

Burton Health offers a monthly tea subscription which delivers a bag of organic tea to your door along with an information sheet about each tea blend, new members get a travel mug, and each month there are surprise goodies included. With each month Mum gets a present in the mail that will remind her of your kind gift.

Membership ranges from 3 months for $99 or a years worth for $299. Alternatively you can just purchase her a single pack of tea, which is all available to peruse on the club website.
Burton Health Tea Club

A relaxing massage.

Ease stress and sore muscles with a therapeutic, relaxing massage. Pregnancy massage is great gift idea for a Mum-to-be as well!
Massages are available with me at the Windsor clinic on Wednesdays and Saturdays, or Fridays at Dural.
60min for $95
30 min for $55

Email me for a voucher, or Book Online for Dural or Call for appointments at Windsor

Skin Juice Box of Goodness – Hand Cream and Green Balm

This pack contains the all-purpose Skin Juice Green Balm, and Perfect Paws hand cream.

I swear by the Skin Juice Green Balm, you can use it for rough skin, as a night cream, for rashes and a bit of eczema, as a lip balm, soothe cuts and bruises. It softens, soothes and conditions all areas of skin you want to apply it to. (It’s also safe to use on babies from 4 weeks and safe during pregnancy). The hand cream smells lovely and isn’t greasy.
This pack with the hand moisturiser and green balm together is on sale at the moment on Nourished Life – $36 down from $55; or just get the Green Balm for $29.50

Skin Juice Just Squeezed Box of Goodness

Green Juice All Over Skin Balm

Make her a cake.

Try my recipe for a gluten free Plum and Orange Cake.

Women Essence – Australian Bush Flower Essence

This blend of Bush Flowers is designed to assist in balancing emotional imbalances that are common during menstruation, menopause, pregnancy and more. This gentle formula works on an energetic level and may help with mood swings, hot flushes, and more. For more detail look at the individual essences on the website.

Women Essence Drops

The Divine Company Hand Series

What Mum doesn’t have hardworking hands. Give them some love with a beautiful, nasty-chemical free cleanser and moisturiser. This moisturiser smells just divine. (Get it?)
Last year I interviewed the founder of this company, Therese Kerr about natural beauty products. You can check that out here.
The cleanser and moisturiser combo is on sale for $79.95: The Divine Company Organic Hand Series

Or just get the moisturiser for $49.95
The Divine Company Organic Hand & Body Lotion

So that’s my suggestions. What do you think? Any other ideas?

This post contains some affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

The post Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

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Here’s a completely unselfish reason to ask for a back rub before you breastfeed – it helps lactation and means you have a more satisfied baby.

In the attempt to find a cost-effective way to help with breast feeding, a study was done to test the theory that back massage for new mothers, along the lines of acupressure and shiatsu would help with breastfeeding. The results were impressive!

The study was based in a hospital in India, and a group of 220 new mothers were split into two groups (Group A: 100 received a back massage and Group B: 120 who didn’t; both groups received normal hospital care).

The study excluded mothers and babies with issues that would affect breastfeeding, this included:

• Newborns with poor neonatal reflexes
• Newborns with prematurity, congenital anomalies or any neurological conditions leading to poor sucking reflexes.
• Mothers with any acute or chronic illness
• Mothers with nipple or breast abnormalities or attachment difficulties
• Mothers on medications affecting lactation or breast feeding

In many of these instances, these are the mothers and children who need additional breastfeeding support but it is understandable for an initial study such as this, that those fitting these categories would be excluded from the study as it would skew the results. In future a study focusing on those that fit these exclusions would be very interesting to see.

The massage was applied for 15 minutes before a feed, 4 times a day, consisting of small circular motions with the thumbs along either side of the length of the spine.

How effective this was in supporting breast milk production was gauged by the difference between the groups of the mean(average) weight gain, number of wees and poos by the baby, hours slept after a feed and ‘satiety of baby’ at the end of the feed (a combination of some subjective and objective assessments). As the quantity and quality of breastmilk production cannot be measured, weighed or analysed under a microscope because it’s getting swallowed by the baby, these methods of assessment give us a good idea about how effective the massage is in increasing breast milk production.

The weight gain difference between the groups was the most notable, with a massage group gaining a lot more weight on the first day after birth compared to the non massage group, and this difference continued for the next two days they were studied.

The number of wees and poos was only different after the second day (increased in the massage group).

There was more babies in the massage group that slept for longer than 2 hours after each feed, and this increased with each day studied.

The satiety of the baby assessment was based on whether they fussed or cried after a feed, and whether the mother felt the baby was ‘satisfied’ after the feed and went to sleep easily. This category showed a significant difference between the groups in particular, for crying and fussing. 35% babies in the test group (A) compared to only 10% of babies from the control group (B) were satisfied after breastfeeding on first day, where as 69% from Group A compared to 43.3% babies from Group B were satisfied after breastfeeding on day 2. On third day 93% from Group A and 56.6% from Group B were satisfied from breastfeeding!

All of these factors indicate that breastfeeding was improved significantly by the back massage.

Works Cited:

Patel, U., Gedam, D.S. Effect of back Massage on Lactation among Postnatal Mothers.  International Journal of Medical Research and Review. 2013 Jan-Mar, 1(1).  http://www.academia.edu/3486501/Effect_of_back_Massage_on_Lactation_among_Postnatal_Mothers

The post A massage for Mum means a better feed for bub. appeared first on Alison Mitchell Naturopath.

10 Benefits of Pregnancy Massage:

1. It relaxes the mother and decreases stress and anxiety, which reduces stress and anxiety in the baby
2. Improves sleep and reduces fatigue
3. Provides emotional support and a nurturing touch
4. Improves mother body awareness and increases her ability to tune in to her body during pregnancy, birth and labour
5. Improves lymphatic circulation and reduces oedema in hands, legs and feet and relieves headaches and sinus congestion.
6. Improves blood flow to all areas leading to improved nutrition, efficient waste removal and reduced pressure of bulging veins
7. Alleviates stress of weight bearing joints
8. Reduces strain on muscles of the abdomen, neck, shoulders and lower back and assists in maintaining proper posture and reduces muscle spasms and cramps
9. Easier breastfeeding and better milk production due to reduction in tension and muscle tightness
10. Enhances post-natal recovery of muscle tissues, relieves fatigue and facilitates post-partum structural re-alignment of spine and pelvis.

And of course, it feels good.

Positioning

The most well known position for pregancy massage is side-lying.  Women can turn over during the massage to allow a more complete coverage, but if she doesn’t want to roll over it is best to lie on the left side for the duration of the massage.  In the early stages of pregnancy it is possible to lie on your stomach with pillows supporting your breasts and hips amd cradling the stomach.  Most women find this very comfortable and are usually quite excited to get to lie on their stomachs again.  Another variation is the semi-reclining position with the right hip slightly elevated, or a seated massage.

Is it safe?

Yes, when performed by a qualified therapist, pregnancy massage is safe.

Some points to consider:

• There are some acupressure points such as ‘gallbladder 21’ and ‘spleen 6’ that pregnancy massage therapists know to avoid certain techniques on, however these areas can be worked on safely with other techniques.
• The abdomen can be massaged safely however some therapists avoid the belly in the first trimester.  The belly is a very sacred spot in pregnant women, and some first time mums choose not to have their belly massaged, which is also completely ok.
• Wait at least 1 week after invasive testing procedures such as amniocentesis before getting a massage.

Massage is also very helpful during labour.  Some women might not want to be touched when they’re giving birth, but if you do then get your partner, doula or birth partner to massage your arms, neck and back during labour which can help to reduce pain and provide some comfort.

I recommend monthly massages during pregnancy, and this can be continued after birth in the post-partum period.  The upper back is often under strain when breastfeeding, and most Mum’s usually have a lot of knots in their neck and upper back as they spend most on the time craning their necks down to look at their new bub!

If you are interested in pregnancy massage, or perhaps you know someone that would appreciate a gift voucher for pregnancy massage feel free to give us a call.

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