sciatica
Stimulate the lymphatic drainage in all key areas of the body
Cleanse and drain the pelvic area
Can you do it yourself?
Some parts. The basic General treatment explained on page 55 can be administered to you by your partner. This is gentle and easy and has immediate benefits. However, the most important massage technique for your partner to learn is the Pelvic Drainage massage (see page 68). This is a 10-minute procedure that ideally should be performed every other day, especially from 36 weeks of pregnancy, in order to create more space for your baby’s descent into your pelvic birthing space. You will need to see a qualified Creative healer for the other treatments that tone up your heart, digestive system and other vital areas of your body.
Creative Healing glossary
Although it’s unlikely that you had ever heard of Creative Healing before embarking upon The Gentle Birth Method, my guess is that Creative Healing will quickly become one of your favourite elements of the programme. But even though it is profoundly relaxing, this comprehensive massage treatment can leave mothers boggled at the range of different treatments on offer. Many mothers ask me why they have to have a heart treatment or a pancreatic treatment for instance, when a general back treatment would feel just great. Hence I’ve compiled a glossary that explains why you receive such specific treatments and what they achieve at different stages of your pregnancy. As I told you at the beginning of this book, there’s a physiological intention at the root of every physical treatment you receive on the Gentle Birth Method – and that can be easy to forget when it feels so good.
General treatment: (also known as the General Lymphatic Treatment)
This is an essential initial treatment that is done prior to any other Creative Healing treatment and sets up drainage in the whole of the body to clear toxins quickly.
Heart treatment: In early pregnancy, the heart treatment is given to help the heart cope with the dramatic increase of 30 per cent in circulatory blood volume of the mother. The heart treatment is also received just before delivery, because the cardiac muscle is called upon to work hard during labour. Occasionally, pregnant mothers complain of palpitations and feelings of unrest surrounding the heart and the treatment can help to reduce this. These symptoms are often attributed to mental anxiety and fear. A heart treatment is also advised post-natally.
Hiatus hernia treatment: Offered alongside the heart treatment, it helps with reflex oesophagitis (heartburn) and is also effective in calming the feeling of nausea during pregnancy.
Pancreatic treatment: This treatment has been found to be excellent in improving digestive function. As well as insulin and other hormones, the pancreas secretes important enzymes to help with the digestion of food. The symptoms in pregnancy associated with the digestive system – such as nausea, heartburn, abdominal bloating and constipation – have been reported to improve after a pancreatic treatment. In the programme, it is recommended at 32 weeks to prevent gestational diabetes from developing, as the placental hormones might suppress insulin response at this time.
Lungs: Creative Healing is effective in treating chest infections in pregnancy by clearing the drainage channels. This is not a standard treatment and is only given if a patient is suffering from a chest infection.
Liver: This is very helpful in early pregnancy when many mothers suffer from nausea and vomiting. Often, these symptoms are related to high levels of circulating tissue toxins that clog up the liver and slow down its detoxification mechanism. A liver treatment can clear these symptoms. This treatment is usually carried out at set times throughout pregnancy.
Thyroid: The thyroid is challenged during pregnancy and mothers tend to feel more tired if the thyroid function is compromised.
Kidneys: The kidneys are responsible for clearing excess tissue fluids and it is important to keep them functioning well.
Spleen: This treatment offers immune modulation and helps the white and red blood cells to be formed and released at an optimum pace.
Back and spine treatment: Spinal health is of paramount importance as all the nerves that transmit impulses to the muscles of the limbs and trunk originate from the spine and emerge through spaces between the vertebrae.
Abdominal toning: Digestion and assimilation of food is vitally important in maintaining the health of mother and baby. General abdominal toning realigns the energy flow to all of the abdominal organs. It is offered throughout pregnancy and before treating any of the organs within the abdomen. Mild abdominal pain and diarrhoea caused by a tummy bug can be eased with abdominal toning.
Pelvic drainage: This upwards and outwards massage is applied on the lowest part of the abdomen just above the pubic bone. It directs excess fluid away from the pelvic floor area and also decongests the cervix and tissues within the birth canal.
Sacrum drainage and sacro-iliac treatment: Started early in pregnancy, this ensures the sacrum is able to move and mould as the baby’s head drops down into pelvis as pregnancy advances. These treatments clear congestion and loosen the sacro-iliac joints. This helps the mother greatly during the second stage of labour, shortening the pushing time. Constipation is also effectively treated with a specific 7-minute treatment on the sacral area. There is also a 10-minute sacrum treatment that treats haemorrhoids.
Sciatic treatment: This treatment is for alleviating the classic symptoms of sciatica, i.e. pain radiating from the mid-buttock down the back of the thigh and the leg, all the way down to the toes. There is a special nerve centre on the sacrum that can be centred in order to prevent sciatica occurring at any stage of pregnancy.
Bowen Technique
What is it?
During a Bowen session, specific areas of the body are subjected to gentle rolling movements that subtly disturb and reposition the muscles. Bowen initiates a physical change because the muscular disturbance (from the rolling movements) is emitted through the central nervous system to the brain. In response, the brain sends a command to the muscle to reposition, helping to eliminate any previous inflammation or stiffness in those soft tissues.
Its pedigree
This technique is named after Tom Bowen (1916-82), the Australian therapist who developed it. As a young man in the 1950s, he regularly visited the clinic of a local man with an excellent reputation as a ‘manipulator’, watching him work and listening to what he had to say. Bowen developed his own technique on the back of this apprenticeship, and opened a clinic treating a wide range of injuries, illnesses and disabilities. In the 1970s, the Australian Government Report into Complementary Therapies found that Tom Bowen had successfully treated 13,000 people.
Bowen in pregnancy
I find that the gentle nature of the Bowen treatment helps to instil emotional calm, an attribute that is particularly important during pregnancy. My mothers tend to love the profound relaxation that it gives. It is also non-invasive. I find it invaluable for treating acute conditions like pubic pain and other musculoskeletal pain.
What it can do for you in pregnancy
Relieves back pain
Relieves sciatica
Relaxes the pelvic ligaments and muscles and helps pelvic mobility – this helps the baby’s head to engage in the pelvis
A gentle manoeuvre on the coccyx can help initiate labour if you are overdue
Can you do it yourself?
No. This technique