Pregnancy is a very special time in a woman’s life that can be supported with massage and there are many benefits to having a massage at this time. This can include:
- Relieving backache, headaches, pelvic pain and muscle aches
- Reducing swollen legs and ankles (common during pregnancy)
- Improving circulation
- Improving skin elasticity
- Reducing stretch marks
- Relaxation (good for keeping your hormones stable)
If you have experienced any complications during your pregnancy, it is best to refer to your GP first.
At reCentre we offer two types of pregnancy massage:
Clinical Pregnancy Massage
This type of pregnancy massage is provided by a qualified healthcare professional such as a physiotherapist or osteopath. This type of massage aims to relieve some of the common symptoms of pregnancy such as backache, headaches, swollen legs or ankles or pelvic pain and is often provided alongside physiotherapy or osteopathy treatment.
Following a brief initial assessment of your symptoms, your therapist will aim to provide a massage that focuses on any symptoms you may be experiencing whilst allowing you to relax and enjoy some 'me time'.
Please wait until you are at least 12 weeks pregnant before booking your clinical massage.
With Paige Kern, Shauna Tweedie, Carmen Lech or Aga Bialucha
Therapeutic Pregnancy Massage
This slow and soothing therapeutic massage is safe in all stages of pregnancy assisting you through the emotional changes as well the physical. With a calm and caring approach, therapeutic pregnancy massage provides deeply relaxing and nurturing sessions supporting the mother’s connection with her baby.
At the beginning of your treatment you will have time to talk so that your treatment can be tailored to your needs. The session can include full body or upper body only massage with focus on your back or any area that needs particular attention. Depending on your needs, Elaine and Francesca may complement your treatment with other therapeutic approaches such as Indian Head Massage or clinical and subtle aromatherapy.
With Francesca Walsh and Elaine Tomkins
You can book Clinical Pregnancy Massage appointments online below. If you would like to book a therapeutic pregnancy massage, please call our reception team who can put you in touch with our therapists to book an appointment.
Our Pregnancy Massage Therapists
AGA BIALUCHA
Aga offers Clinical Pregnancy Massage.
Aga is a Polish physiotherapist, currently awaiting her UK registration with HCPC and working as a physiotherapy assistant and massage therapist in the meantime.
Aga has extensive knowledge and a broad range of massage approaches including sports massage, deep tissue, pregnancy, rolfing and myofascial release.
She qualified with a Masters degree in Physiotherapy in Poland in 2018 where she started practicing as Physiotherapist before moving to the UK. During her postgraduate practice she treated a range of musculo-skeletal conditions including those related to degenerative diseases, work-related injuries, sports injuries and rehabilitation and post-surgical rehabilitation. Alongside her physiotherapy training she has attained qualifications in fascial manipulation by Stecco, trigger point therapy and kinesiology taping.
In her free time, Aga practices yoga and swims. She also loves reading books and practicing her sewing skills.
Aga is passionate about human body and recognises how a little tension in the wrong place can influence posture and movement.
"I think everyone deserves to know that a relaxed body leads to better quality of life."
CARMEN LECH MCSP
Carmen offers Clinical Pregnancy Massage.
Carmen qualified in 2009, with a BSc Physiotherapy (Hons) from St George’s University, London. Following this she went on to work in patient care across several top London teaching hospitals before starting clinical research into the effects of exercise on lung disease.
Driven by her passion for all things Women’s health, Carmen has additional training in Post-natal conditioning, anti and post-natal Pilates (APPI), and is a Mummy MOT Practitioner. She has a special interest in yoga as medicine, pelvic health, and the menopausal years.
Carmen believes in ageing well and empowering the individual in attaining personal goals and personal health. In her practice she utilises strength and conditioning and breathwork to aid mobility and function.
As a clinician she recognises that pain is multifactorial and the impact that this can have on a person’s life. Her aim is always to improve overall quality of life. She believes in patient-led treatments and the interactive relationship between mental wellbeing and physical rehabilitation.
She uses adjuncts such as myofascial release: scar, remedial, and sports massage to assist in reducing pain and improving functional movement. With a strong belief in the therapeutic benefits of manual therapy she incorporates this skill set, and the importance of education into all treatment sessions. Working hard to support her patients at all times.
Carmen fully supports the individual in achieving personal, relevant goals by providing guidance and support whether it be physical fitness, or a return to activity following injury, illness, or the post-natal period.
She has a good understanding of the importance of lifestyle management and exercise rehabilitation and will incorporate these effectively into your treatment using the full breadth of her expertise.
Whatever your injury or concern, Carmen will provide a thorough assessment and an evidence-based treatment plan, all developed and based on your specific requirements.
When Carmen is not working she’s gardening, raising two small amazing humans, or cycling and exploring the city.
SHAUNA TWEEDIE MCSP
- Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy
- Clinical Massage and Pregnancy Massage Therapist
Shauna is South African and graduated from the University of Cape Town in 2015. She has worked in multiple settings from rural hospitals to private sports practices as well as working with wellness groups within the corporate environment.
She has treated numerous sport’s injuries as well as general injuries linked to our daily activities i.e. neck and back pain, orthopaedic rehabilitation, care of the elderly and blocked ducts/mastitis within women’s health.
Shauna’s skills include hands-on therapy using evidence-based techniques, dry needling, exercise rehabilitation tailored to each individual, as well as massage therapy. She has a keen interest in furthering her knowledge in Pilates and continuously keeping up-to-date with new research.
Shauna recently moved to London with her husband to gain international work and life experience. She is an active, outdoor person who spends most of her time walking/ running, hiking and traveling. Shauna has an interest in sports injuries and a passion for helping people overcome their pain and injury to reach their goals.
PAIGE KERN M.OST
Paige offers Clinical Pregnancy Massage.
Paige graduated from Surrey Institute of Osteopathic medicine (SIOM) in 2017 with a first class honours M’Ost degree. Paige’s love for helping others and improving their quality of life is the main reason she became an Osteopath. She is very passionate about Osteopathy and is keen to make a difference.
Paige enjoys treating patients from all walks of life and adopts a structural, holistic approach to all of her patients. Her treatment is patient centred and involves using a wide variety of techniques including soft tissue massage, joint manipulations, articulations, muscle energy techniques, and stretching in order to help relieve pain and improve functioning. She also looks at your overall wellbeing and provides advice on how you can prevent the injury from reoccurring.
Before training to become an Osteopath, Paige was an International swimmer, training over 4 hours a day and competing for London GB on a number of occasions. Having a long history in sport and being an athlete herself, Paige understands the need for all parts of the body to be fully functioning and in optimal condition in order for one to be at their best. This knowledge has helped her treat a number of athletes and runners competing in the London marathon, where she has volunteered for CRY Charity on a number of occasions.
Paige believes it is important to lead an active lifestyle and regularly partakes in swimming, Pilates and rock climbing.
She is qualified in dry needling, sports massage and APPI Matwork Pilates. She is fully insured and registered with the General Osteopathic Council. Paige is keen to expand her knowledge and plans to incorporate some additional qualifications into her skill set in the upcoming year.
ELAINE TOMKINS MIFPA TIDHA MCHNC MFHT (SENIOR MASSAGE THERAPIST)
Elaine offers therapeutic pregnancy massage.
Elaine has over 25 years of experience in the field of massage and offers a wide range of highly specialised treatments ranging from pre and post pregnancy massage, deep tissue muscular release therapy, myofascial and trigger point therapy, intra-oral massage for treating TMJ (tooth grinding/clenching) issues, Manual Lymphatic Drainage, specialised massage therapy for cancer, scar tissue therapy and range of beautiful facial treatments with the added luxury of hot and cold stones. She is also a qualified Aromatherapist and Rosalena's Senior FaceFit therapist.
Her treatments are always bespoke; tailor made for each and every individual with a unique set of skills and creative offering that makes her a very popular therapist and truly an expert in her field.
Elaine is our senior reCentre massage therapist and is currently Head of Massage training for Neal's Yard Remedies, developing and delivering a wide range of training courses in the UK and overseas. She is highly qualified and is committed to providing a first class service.
FRANCESCA WALSH
Francesca offers holistic pregnancy massage.
Francesca Walsh is a very experienced and highly-qualified massage therapist who is well-liked by her clients. She is totally committed to continuing professional development in order to provide the most effective treatments for her clients and was recently awarded a Distinction in her BTEC Level 6 qualification in Advanced Clinical Massage and Sports Massage, this being the highest massage qualification in the UK.
Francesca's style of massage is a unique, creative and intuitive combination of various techniques from sports/deep tissue massage, soft tissue release, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, hot stones massage, aromatherapy and stretching. She tailors her massage to the individual requirements of each client - from a specific injury recovery treatment to the ultimate in deeply relaxing hot stones massage.
