Pregnancy Massage
Spa Mama Lifespan
By Karrie Osborn
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2005.
Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
In preparation for the many changes ahead of her, the one thing a pregnant woman needs most -- even more than pickles and ice cream -- is nurturing, especially in the form of bodywork.
Massage therapists have long catered to the pregnant client, helping her relax, renew, and even physically prepare for the strenuous birth date. Now spas are picking up the pregnancy pace as this unique client is walking through their doors seeking respite more than ever before.
In today 's market, it 's almost unusual to find a day spa that doesn 't have some sort of service directed toward the pregnant client. Looking at the ever-growing number of women becoming pregnant, and the expanding age range in which they do so, it 's understandable -- the pregnant woman is big business, and the number of those vying for her interest increases every day. Several new publications focusing on the pregnant woman, and more websites and online publications than you can count, have entered an already tight market in the last three years. Clothing, cosmetics, fitness, and every type of resource imaginable are being retooled for the pregnant woman. Even a home makeover show for expectant moms has found its audience. It makes sense, then, that well-being would eventually become a suitor as well.
With more than 4 million U.S. births every year, there are plenty of mommy clients just waiting for a prenatal or postnatal massage by someone who understands their particular bodywork needs. But even as lucrative as the mommy market might be, both client and spa need beware -- combining bodywork and pregnancy requires a specialized skill set crucial to keeping mother and child healthy. When approached with care and commitment, however, this type of work can be a win-win for everyone.
A Growing Business
Rebecca
By Karrie Osborn
Originally published in Massage & Bodywork magazine, April/May 2005.
Copyright 2005. Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals. All rights reserved.
In preparation for the many changes ahead of her, the one thing a pregnant woman needs most -- even more than pickles and ice cream -- is nurturing, especially in the form of bodywork.
Massage therapists have long catered to the pregnant client, helping her relax, renew, and even physically prepare for the strenuous birth date. Now spas are picking up the pregnancy pace as this unique client is walking through their doors seeking respite more than ever before.
In today 's market, it 's almost unusual to find a day spa that doesn 't have some sort of service directed toward the pregnant client. Looking at the ever-growing number of women becoming pregnant, and the expanding age range in which they do so, it 's understandable -- the pregnant woman is big business, and the number of those vying for her interest increases every day. Several new publications focusing on the pregnant woman, and more websites and online publications than you can count, have entered an already tight market in the last three years. Clothing, cosmetics, fitness, and every type of resource imaginable are being retooled for the pregnant woman. Even a home makeover show for expectant moms has found its audience. It makes sense, then, that well-being would eventually become a suitor as well.
With more than 4 million U.S. births every year, there are plenty of mommy clients just waiting for a prenatal or postnatal massage by someone who understands their particular bodywork needs. But even as lucrative as the mommy market might be, both client and spa need beware -- combining bodywork and pregnancy requires a specialized skill set crucial to keeping mother and child healthy. When approached with care and commitment, however, this type of work can be a win-win for everyone.
A Growing Business
Rebecca
References: 1 Mother 's Work includes the clothing outlets Motherhood Maternity, A Pea in the Pod, and Mimi Maternity. 2 Spa Treatments During Pregnancy. Available at www.bellanina.com/index.asp?PageAction=Custom&ID=42. Accessed December 2004. 3 Scalogna, Marie. "Spa Speak." Available at www.spa-addicts.com/spalounge/spaspeak8.asp. Accessed December 2004. 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid.