Teal Center at Virginia Hospital
Prenatal, Perinatal & Postnatal Massage and Acupuncture
(also available at our Randolph Towers location)
During Your Pregnancy
Women will now have access to pre, peri and post natal massage and acupuncture that is specially designed for the comfort and well-being of mothers during the childbearing year. We also work with dads, partners, grandparents and the rest of the family!
During pregnancy and following the birth of a child the mother's body needs special care. Massage therapy and acupuncture can help mothers adjust to the changes that occur during pregnancy and relieve some of the discomfort they may experience, such as low back pain and edema.
Our therapists and acupuncturists have a working knowledge of the changes that you and your body will undergo as your baby grows and as you deliver. More important, we know how to apply massage therapy and acupuncture to relieve the stresses and discomfort associated with those changes.
High Risk Pregnancies and Bedrest
Our therapists and acupuncturists can work with you and your doctor to decide the safest approach to employ using acupuncture or bodywork to mitigate your pain, discomfort and anxiety through conditions like preeclampsia, placenta previa, symphysis pubis diastasis and others. We can visit you in your home or in your hospital room. (Acupuncture is not available in hospital rooms)
Labor and Delivery
The relaxing and specifically therapeutic effects of massage therapy and acupuncture are very useful in preparation for labor and delivery. Our labor support massage therapists are trained in a variety of techniques to facilitate a labor process that is shorter, less painful, less stressful and more positive. Specialized massage therapy and reflex point techniques can aid in management of a number of issues that are common in labor, ranging from “back labor” to “stalled labor” to cramping and contractions.
As you labor, a massage therapist can work with you to support position change and movement, as needed and as is most comfortable for you. We can be as little or as big a part of your labor experience as you’d like. We can adapt the massage to work with you in a seated, reclining or standing position. We are also happy to work with your partner, spouse or other labor support person to teach comfort and support techniques.
Recovery After Pregnancy
Following birth, bodywork to restore the pelvis to its proper alignment and ease the shoulder tension is highly recommended. Acupuncture can also be very helpful in returning healthy flow to your organs and tissues.
A massage therapist can visit you in your hospital room after you have delivered your baby to ease the aches, soreness and swelling that can follow labor and/or c-section surgery. Massage therapy and acupuncture can also be an important part of returning your body to full function and balance after you and your baby have returned home. We can work with you, using bodywork and acupuncture, in your home or in our office suite to support your full recovery.
Acupuncture for Women's Health and Fertility
Acupuncture can help to relieve morning sickness, insomnia, fatigue, pain during labor, and postpartum depression, as well as many other disorders. Acupuncture can also improve the IVF success rate and prevent habitual miscarriage or difficulty conceiving. Laura has helped many women avoid medical induction for babies who have gone past their due-date, by inducing them with acupuncture. Post-natal recuperation, as well as weight loss, can also be addressed with acupuncture and prescribed herbal formulas.