Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy [Paperback]

Elaine Stillerman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1992

A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy

Massage is a sensuous, relaxing, and loving treatment that has the added bonus of being especially good for you. It’s the perfect way to reduce stress and promote general well-being. During pregnancy, your body is undergoing many changes, some of them stressful and discomforting. Mother Massage, by licensed massage therapist Elaine Stillerman, is a beautifully illustrated guide to help eliminate some of these adverse effects. Designed to be used either alone or with a partner, Mother Massage provides techniques for a variety of massages, including full body massage, preparation for labor and birthing massage, massage during the postpartum and nursing stages, and infant massage. These techniques are explained in step-by-step, illustrated detail. You’ll also learn special massages for treating such discomforts as:

• Backaches
• Breast Soreness
• Charley Horse and Leg Cramps
• Headaches
• Heartburn
• Fatigue
• Morning Sickness
• Sciatica
• Stretch Marks
• Varicose Veins
• And Many Others

Also included are sections on reflexology, herbal remedies, and nutritional requirements for pregnant and lactating women.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

see Artal, Raul, M.D. with Genell J. Subak

Copyright 1992 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Elaine Stillerman, a licensed massage therapist in New York City, has been specializing in prenatal and postpartum massage since 1980 and has worked with hundreds of expectant women. She has written many articles on massage therapy and teaches the nationally certified course “Mother Massage: Massage During Pregnancy” at massage schools all over the country. She is also the author of The Encyclopedia of Bodywork (1996).

Diana Kurz is a painter who has exhibited her work nationally and internationally. She is a recipient of a Fulbright grant for art and has taught in universities and art schools all over the world.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Delta; 8/1/1992 edition (July 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440507022
• ISBN-13: 978-0440507024
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.4 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #404,460 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Have Book!, August 21, 2001

By 

Connie Holbrook (Kettering, Ohio United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy (Paperback)

Mother Massage is a fantastic book for any mother-to-be and for the Massage Therapist that works with her. The information it brings is written in user friendly terms. This purchase has been a great addition to my Library.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a great find, August 15, 2000

By 

c s campbell (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy (Paperback)

I felt this was a perfect book for expectant mothers and their massage therapists. It gives great insite to pregnancy for first time mothers and therapists who are trying to gain more knowledge on the subject. It gives you overviews throughout the book about other cultures and their traditions. This is definately one to have in your library.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Licensed professionals should check out her new book instead, May 26, 2008

By 

Suzanne K. Zelei (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mother Massage: A Handbook for Relieving the Discomforts of Pregnancy (Paperback)

This book doesn't have a whole lot of new information if you have formal massage training. (It tells you how to perform basic effleurage strokes, etc.) If you are a friend or partner of someone who is pregnant, it's an excellent resource.

This was however until recently one of very few books devoted to the subject, and it does have the crucial list of contraindications and warning signs every massage therapist working with this population must know. And most continuing education courses still require it.
I am a licensed massage therapist and used it working on my friend throughout pregnancy and even labor and birth. I found`it quite helpful, but do not refer back to it when I treat pregnant women in my practise now.

I'm however interest in Elaine Stillerman's new book on prenatal massage, written for licensed professionals.

Personally, I don't believe any of the acupressure points have any bearing on pregnancy (though it should be common sense not to put any deep pressure on the sacrum of a pregnant woman.)
I also don't think it's good to use a lot of aromatherapy oils on pregnant women since these are absorbed into the bloodstream and haven't been studied for their potential effects.
But the risks are probably small to non-existent, and many pregnant women appreciate acupressure and aromatherapy, and this is all covered in the book.