Fertility Massage
FERTILITY TREATMENT
Viseral manipulation and myofascial release for infertility and other dysfunctions or conditions of the pelvis.
Visceral manipulation is a manual therapy technique consisting of gentle, specifically placed manual forces that encourage normal mobility, tone and inherent tissue motion of the viscera, their connective tissue and other areas of the body where physiologic motion has been impaired. It is characterized by high precision and minimal force.
Visceral manipulation is based on the principle that for an organ to be healthy and have optimal function there needs to be motion. A restriction, fixation or adhesion to another structure, no matter how small, implies functional impairment of the organ.
Tissues lose their normal motion when they become inflamed. The natural healing process involves local disruption of normal tissue fibers and their replacement with adhesions/scar tissue. Many factors can cause inflammation including: infections, direct trauma (surgery, falls, accidents, abuse, etc.,) repetitious movement, diet, environmental toxins and emotional stress.
Adhesions that typically cause women’s health and fertility issues can result from events as simple as yeast or bladder infections. Abdominal, pelvic, hip and back surgeries frequently result in adhesions. Other conditions such as endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, post-infectious tubal damage, a ruptured appendix, ruptured ovarian cysts, bowel or bladder disease or foreign body reaction can cause adhesion formation.
Unfortunately, once adhesions form, they typically remain in the body for a lifetime. Adhesions may occur in pain-sensitive structures, or they may glue down reproductive structures without causing discomfort. Thus, any woman who has a history of any of the previously mentioned episodes or conditions may have adhesions that cause infertility, whether or not she experiences pain.
When adhesions form at the delicate female reproductive organs they can block fallopian tubes or adhere to the uterus or ovaries. Adhesions act like a strong glue. They can attach to the finger-like fimbriae of the fallopian tubes, preventing them from grasping the egg during ovulation. The fallopian tube must have complete freedom of movement to ensure that the properly prepared egg enters the path to the uterus, rather than becoming wasted in the abdominal cavity. Adhesions may cling to the uterine surface, making it less receptive to the implantation of a fertilized egg. They may even form between muscle cells within the cervix or uterus, causing difficulties with sperm transport or implantation.
Manual physical therapy treatment is designed to decrease adhesions and improve organ function for women with infertility, dysfunction and pain. At Florida Complete Wellness, Fertility Massage is used alongside a woman’s cycle to optimize her chances of becoming pregnant. Fertility Massage focuses on breathing, the lymphatic system, circulation of blood, and using points on the feet to stimulate the organs used in reproduction. This type of massage can be used alone but for optimal results, patients can use this alongside their acupuncture treatments.
WHEN:
Fertility Massage is recommended after the last day of your menses up to 3-4 days after ovulation. It is most helpful during ovulation to encourage movement of the egg to the uterus.
HOW LONG:
Fertility Massage is done for 30 minutes, face up. If you are suffering from back pain or a large amount of stress, it is recommended to do a full hour. Let your therapist know and they will customize the massage to your needs.
WHAT TO KNOW:
If you are getting the 30 minute Fertility Massage, you will not need to remove any clothing, but you will want to dress comfortably. We would suggest relaxed pants such as yoga pants or comfortable shorts to allow moving and stretching of the legs.
CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Fertility Massage is not recommended during the luteal phase of your cycle. This is when the embryo will be implanting and you should take this time to rest and allow the implantation to occur. Any patient who is at risk for blood clots or any other situation in which massage is not suggested, should check with their medical doctor first. Also during menses, it is advised not to do fertility massage.
