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 Massage Services
Services offered by
Christina Berman, R.M.P.
Certified Infant Massage Instructor, CIMI
Certified in Pregnancy Massage
Massage For Adults:
What Forms of Massage are Offered?
Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy
Massage For Infants & Children:
Benefits of Infant Massage
Benefits for Babies and Children
Benefits for Parents and Primary Caregivers
What Forms of Massage are Offered?
- Swedish Massage
(which is a proper name, not a reference to Sweden) refers to a collection of techniques designed
primarily to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart.
- Deep Tissue Massage
is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles. This invigorating experience is a process of detection of stiff or painful areas by determining the quality and texture of the deeper layers of musculature, and slowly working into the deep layers of muscle tissue. Specific hand positions and strokes are then used to respond to various tissue qualities. Techniques employing breath and movement are also used for releasing muscular congestion.
- Myofascial Release
is used to evaluate and treat restrictions in the body's contractile connective tissues (muscles) and non-contractile supportive connective tissues (fascia) by the application of gentle traction, pressures and positioning. Myofascial release techniques are used to coax muscles in spasm to relax, and break adhesions in the fascia. Bodies respond to these therapies by releasing tension that has been stored in the fascia, thus allowing more functional flexibility and mobility of the muscles, fascia and associated structures.
- Prenatal Massage
is a massage tailored specifically to the needs of pregnant women. Please see below.
- Infant Massage
Please see below and refer to our section on Classes to see when the next infant massage class is offered.
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Benefits of Massage During Pregnancy
During pregnancy a woman's body undergoes many changes, some of them stressful
and uncomfortable. Massage is a perfect way to treat discomforts, reduce
stress and promote general well-being.
- Massage helps mom's body to eliminate waste products through the lymphatic and circulatory systems, which combats fatigue and helps the mother feel more energetic.
- By aiding circulation, massage eases the load on mom's heart and helps to keep her blood pressure in check.
- Muscular discomforts, such as cramping, tightening, stiffness, tension, and knots, can all be alleviated.
- Massage helps carry away the lactic acid and other cellular waste products that build up and cause muscle fatigue.
- Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
- Massage relieves many of the normal discomforts during pregnancy, such as backaches, a stiff neck, leg cramps, headaches, edema, and sore, swollen ankles and feet.
- Massage increases local and general blood circulation, which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the cells of both the mother and fetus. This means greater vitality and less fatigue for mom and better nourishment for her baby.
- Massage stimulates glandular secretions, which helps stabilize hormone levels.
- Massage can help relieve depression or anxiety caused by hormonal changes mom is experiencing.
- It relaxes tense muscles and tones loose muscles, and can also increase muscular flexibility. Flexibility will be most helpful during the last trimester and during the birth itself.
- Massage helps to soothe and relax nervous tension, which helps the mother sleep more easily and more deeply. Incidentally, doctors all agree that a relaxed mother will have a happier, healthier pregnancy and possibly an easier childbirth experience, too.
- Massage can be used during the birth to make it easier and more comfortable for mom, and after the birth as well, to help her regain her strength more quickly and ease postpartum stress.
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Benefits of Infant Massage
A little loving touch eases tempers and tensions and calms tears, as massage
is said to stimulate the release of endorphins, hormones which act as natural
relaxants. And, what's more, your baby will love it as much as you do!
Early psychological and sensory input is inherent and facilitates the development of all infants and children. Touch is a primal need, an essential nutrient for growth and development.
Infant massage is a preventive program that provides loving touch right
from the start. Understanding and beginning touch early in life will improve
the quality of parenting and family life and promote the well-being of
the infant.
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Benefits for Babies and Children
- Provides a special time of communication that fosters love, compassion
and respect.
- Provides a safe time to confide in parents.
- Improves functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Improves digestion.
- Helps to normalize muscle tone.
- Improves circulation.
- Affects the lymphatic drainage/enhances the immune system.
- Improves midline orientation.
- Helps to improve sensory awareness.
- Enhances neurological development.
- Helps babies/children to sleep deeper and more soundly.
- Helps to increase oxygen and nutrient flow to cells.
- Improves respiration.
- Relief - massage can relieve discomfort from teething, pain management, congestion, gas and colic. Enhances release of hormones in the body. The growth hormone can be affected.
- Reduces levels of cortisol - the stress hormone.
- Bonding and attachment - provides all the essential indicators of intimate parent-infant attachment - eye-to-eye, touch, voice, smell, movement, etc.
- Skin stimulation - all the physiological systems are stimulated.
- Speeds myelination of the brain/nervous system through the senses.
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Benefits for Parents and Primary Caregivers
- Helps the parent to feel more confident and competent in caring for their children.
- Helps parents to ease their stress if they are a working parent and must be separated from their children for long periods during the day.
- Gives parents alone and quiet time for interactive play. A special time together.
- Increases parent's self-esteem by reinforcing and enhancing their skills as parents and validates their role.
- Gives parents the tools for understanding their infants/children's unique rhythms.
- Helps parents when they have children that have been hospitalized. Give special quality time. Helps them to feel a greater part of the healing process.
- Daily massage helps parents to unwind and relax.
- Helps parents understand their infants cues and states of awareness.
- Provides a positive way for fathers to interact with their infants/children.
- Promotes bonding and attachment. Reinforces good eye contact.
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About Christina Berman, C.M.T.
Certified Infant Massage Instructor, CIMI
Certified in Pregnancy Massage
Chris Berman is a licensed Massage Therapist, certified by the National Board of Massage Therapists and the Board of Chiropractic Examiners of Maryland. She has over seven years of experience working with individuals who suffer chronic pain due to injury and illness, to those who wish to maintain a healthy physical balance. Practicing Deep Tissue, Swedish, Myofascial, Sports and Pregnancy Massage, Chris has learned that all clients are unique and tailors each session to the individual, often combining modalities. As a Wellness Associate at Capital Women's Care Howard County, she is committed to providing session plans and educating clients how to better cope with occupational and muskeloskeletal issues.
Chris is a graduate from the Baltimore School of Massage and holds a BS from Appalachian State University. Having a background in Human Osteology, and working in hospitals, Chris is well read, informed, and experienced regarding common and not so common chief medical concerns.
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For further information
and an appointment,
please call the office at
(410)531-7557
during regular business hours.
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