Prenatal Massage Course

Lesson 1 • Scope of Practice and Ethics

Defines the legal and ethical boundaries of prenatal massage therapy. Anchors professional conduct standards to client safety and informed consent.

Lesson 2 • Professional Standards and Regulations

Reviews regulatory requirements and credentialing standards for prenatal massage practitioners. Connects compliance to client trust and professional credibility.

Lesson 3 • Contraindications and Risk Assessment

Identifies absolute and relative contraindications specific to pregnancy. Enables therapists to screen clients and make evidence-based session decisions.

Lesson 1 • Prenatal Intake Consultation

Teaches a systematic intake process covering medical history, trimester stage, and comfort concerns. Builds the foundation for individualized session planning.

Lesson 2 • Goal Setting and Session Planning

Trains therapists to set measurable session goals aligned with client needs and trimester stage. Connects assessment data to a structured, adaptable treatment plan.

Lesson 3 • Postural and Gait Assessment

Guides therapists in observing pregnancy-related postural deviations and movement patterns. Links assessment findings directly to technique selection.

Lesson 1 • Bolstering and Support Equipment

Covers selection and placement of bolsters, pillows, and specialty cushions for prenatal use. Ensures therapists can create stable, comfortable setups for any body type.

Lesson 2 • Transitioning Clients Safely

Provides step-by-step guidance for assisting clients in moving between positions during a session. Reduces fall risk and physical strain for both client and therapist.

Lesson 3 • Draping Standards and Modifications

Teaches professional draping techniques adapted for the pregnant body and changing positions. Maintains client modesty and warmth throughout the session.

Lesson 1 • Integrating Techniques into a Full Session

Guides therapists in sequencing multiple techniques into a cohesive prenatal session. Develops clinical reasoning for technique selection and flow.

Lesson 2 • Tapotement and Vibration Modifications

Explains when and how to apply or avoid tapotement and vibration during pregnancy. Ensures therapists make evidence-based decisions about stimulating techniques.

Lesson 3 • Effleurage for Prenatal Clients

Teaches long, gliding strokes adapted in pressure and direction for pregnancy. Establishes the primary technique for circulation support and relaxation.

Lesson 4 • Petrissage and Kneading Adaptations

Covers kneading, wringing, and compression techniques modified for pregnancy-softened tissues. Addresses muscle tension relief while respecting tissue fragility.

Lesson 1 • Adapting for High-Risk Pregnancies

Provides modified protocols for clients with gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, or bed rest orders. Reinforces the importance of medical collaboration in complex cases.

Lesson 2 • Abdominal Massage Techniques

Teaches safe, gentle abdominal work appropriate for the second and third trimesters. Builds therapist confidence in approaching the abdomen with skill and sensitivity.

Lesson 3 • Second Trimester Protocols

Expands technique range as pregnancy stabilizes and the abdomen grows noticeably. Focuses on positioning adjustments and addressing mid-pregnancy discomforts.

Lesson 4 • First Trimester Considerations

Addresses heightened caution, nausea management, and limited technique use in early pregnancy. Establishes conservative protocols aligned with first-trimester risk factors.

Lesson 1 • Low Back and Sacral Pain Relief

Targets lumbar and sacral tension using friction, compression, and myofascial techniques. Directly addresses the most common complaint reported by pregnant clients.

Lesson 2 • Carpal Tunnel and Hand Discomfort

Addresses median nerve compression and forearm tension common in pregnancy. Provides targeted forearm and wrist techniques to restore comfort and function.

Lesson 3 • Headaches and Neck Tension

Targets suboccipital, cervical, and shoulder tension contributing to pregnancy headaches. Applies gentle techniques appropriate for hormonally sensitized tissues.

Lesson 4 • Sciatic Pain and Hip Tension

Addresses piriformis syndrome and sciatic nerve irritation common in pregnancy. Teaches targeted soft-tissue work to reduce radiating pain and hip restriction.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Labor Massage Protocols

Covers sessions in the final weeks designed to reduce anxiety and prepare the body for birth. Focuses on pelvic floor awareness, relaxation, and perineal preparation support.

Lesson 2 • Active Labor Support Techniques

Teaches hands-on techniques applied during contractions to reduce pain and support progress. Includes counter-pressure, sacral work, and positioning assistance.

Lesson 3 • Physiological Basis of Labor Pain

Explains the neurological and muscular mechanisms of labor pain and how massage intervenes. Provides the scientific rationale for all labor support techniques.

Lesson 1 • Postpartum Intake and Assessment

Adapts the intake process for new mothers, including birth type, feeding method, and mood screening. Identifies postpartum contraindications and referral triggers.

Lesson 2 • Postpartum Physiological Changes

Reviews the rapid physical changes following vaginal and cesarean births. Establishes the physiological context for all postpartum massage decisions.

Lesson 3 • Techniques for Postpartum Recovery

Applies targeted massage to address diastasis recti, scar tissue, and musculoskeletal fatigue. Supports physical recovery and emotional well-being in the fourth trimester.