Natural Fertility Center of Pennsylvania
Meredith Murphy, L.Ac., MaAC, DiplAc 215 W. Church Road, Suite 112, King of Prussia, PA 19406 610-265-1827 · Contact Us · Driving Directions |
Therapeutic and Relaxation massage
This type of massage is the most common massage practiced. It can solely be
used for stress relief and to help with anxiety, or a combination of stress
relief and therapeutic massage.
As you go through the stress of trying to conceive and fertility treatments,
your body and mind need to be nurtured. Massage is a great way to help relax,
take some time for yourself, and work on any tight muscles or aches and pains
you may have. There has been an increase in awareness by medical doctors that
massage and most types of touch therapies can help increase pregnancy rates.
Whether it is from the stress relief or increased blood flow, there has
definitely been a move by doctors to recognize massage as a complementary
treatment for women trying to conceive.
Fertility Abdominal Massage
Abdominal Acupressure/Massage is the manipulation of the abdomen. In Taoist
practice, each organ has specific characteristics energetically, physically,
emotionally, and spiritually according to its designated element. The five
elements are fire, earth, metal, water, and wood, and are known as the five
phases of cyclical energetic movement in both nature and ourselves. Therefore
when five elements are in harmony, the body, mind, and spirit are in balance.
Our navel, or hara, holds our vital organs together through the fascia.
Therefore manipulations in the abdomen detoxify, refine, and strengthen
our vital system which creates balance and harmonious flow of blood and
qi. The abdominal area, with the internal organs and their internal
structure, holds the secrets of a person: things we hide from ourselves.
The navel, also, relates to energetically inherited emotions, trauma,
stressful life experiences and this is why the acupressure or massage
can be very sensitive and emotional.
Abdominal Massage can help diminish old adhesions from invasive treatments
to the pelvic and abdominal area, including fibroid tumors, endometriosis,
and cesarean delivery. In addition, it can improve the blood flow to the
pelvic organs and improve uterine lining, help with painful menstruation,
aid in digestion, as well as help urinary and bladder problems.
This massage can be done on it's own or in conjunction with our therapeutic and relaxation massage, Myofascial Release, or CranioSacral therapy.
Myofascial Release Therapy
The fascia is the connective tissue covering and connecting the muscles, skeletal
structures and human body organs; fascia and muscles are united and form the
entire myofascial system. Myofascial release is a manual technique aimed at
stretching the muscle's fascia and therefore balancing the human body. Fascia
links every human body organ and tissue different parts of the human body, that's
why dexterous and skillful use of hands can be free up or release possible
disruptions in the fascial network.
In regards to fertility and women's health, myofascial release therapy is
an outstanding option to ease menstrual problems, painful periods, pelvic
pain, infertility and incontinence. It can be effective in helping with
adhesions in the pelvis as well as helping with scar tissue and endometriosis.
Other commonly treated conditions with MFR are: chronic pain, TMJ,
fibromyalgia, headache, dizziness, vertigo, physical and emotional
trauma, and much more.
Shiatsu Massage
Like acupuncture, shiatsu is based on the holistic system of traditional Chinese
medicine, where illness is thought to result from imbalances in the natural flow
of energy, or qi (pronounced "chee") through the body. Shiatsu massage, sometimes
called Zen shiatsu, unifies spiritual, philosophical, and medical aspects of
the body.
Shiatsu therapists use finger and palm pressure to energetic pathways, called
meridians to improve the flow of qi. Shiatsu is unique as it is done on the
floor on a futon mat, no massage oil is applied, so you remain fully clothed
during the treatment. A shiatsu practitioner first makes his or her diagnosis,
assessing where chi flows healthily and where it may be siphoned or obstructed.
The pressure points focussed on during the treatment lie along fourteen meridians
running the length of your body, including the Conception Vessel and the
Governing vessel meridians. Once diagnosing your problem areas, the therapist
gently but firmly applies pressure using his or her fingers, knuckles, thumbs,
palms, toes, feet, knees, and elbows.
CranioSacral Therapy
CST was pioneered and developed by osteopathic physician John E. Upledger
following extensive scientific studies from 1975 to 1983 at Michigan State
University, where he served as a clinical researcher and Professor of Biomechanics.
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning
of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of
the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and
spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of
a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to
improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly
used as a preventive health measure for its ability to bolster resistance to
disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated
with pain and dysfunction.
Our gentle structural balancing and CranioSacral therapy enhances the entire
fertility process by normalizing overall pelvic and spinal biomechanics. It
has also been found to be excellent for women diagnosed with blocked fallopian
tubes, as it helps keep the pelvic regions healthy, biomechanically sound, and
minimize soft tissue irritation and discomfort. In other words, these
treatments assist in having a successful pregnancy and birth.
Fertility Massage
Our practice offers many types of massage and body work that can be beneficial
while trying to conceive. All of our therapies can be done on their own, or
used to complement medical fertility treatments.