Bodywork

Course Description

About the Instructor

Preparation and What to bring

Practicum - Sat, Aug 23, 2008

Course Description

Become competent and confident
Bodywork for the Childbearing Year® approaches the concerns of the pregnant, laboring and postpartum woman with a comprehensive program of advanced massage techniques and specific pregnancy and postpartum support measures. Session taught take therapists far beyond general adaptations of massage for the pregnant body. You will learn to competently and confidently address the specific structural, physiological and psychological discomforts of pregnancy.

This workshop presents the anatomy and physiology of pregnancy, labor, and birth in relation to those techniques that therapists can most effectively use to provide relief and support to their pregnant clients. You learn to recognize contraindications, complications, and high-risk pregnancies, emphasizing appropriate consultation with other childbirth professionals. Relevant research documenting the benefits of touch, particularly during the childbearing year, is discussed to prepare you to present the benefits of pregnancy massage to health care providers.

Hands-on Learning
We balance lecture and discussion with detailed demonstrations; and a supervised clinic with pregnant women completes the extensive hands-on learning experience.

Alexander Technique/Posture and Body use Skills
You will learn how the Alexander Technique allows you to evaluate pregnant and postpartum clients and to educate them in efficient pain-free body mechanics. You also are taught to focus on your own body use to maximize your ease and comfort while working.

Marketing Strategy and Ethics
Pregnancy massage therapy now flourishes in many professional settings, including private massage practices; hospitals; birthing centers; and physician, midwife and chiropractic offices. The unique challenges of reaching this target audience are met with presentations of effective promotional strategies selected from the experiences of over 3,000 graduates of this program. The ethical issues of working with pregnant clients will also be discussed.

Certification
You will become certified by Kate Jordan Seminars upon successful completion of the written and practical evaluations. Most people are certified during the four-day seminar, but some need further time to complete the requirements.

Prerequisites:
You should be a practicing therapist who is trained and experienced in Swedish massage and one or more of the other modalities utilized (myofascial release, strain-counterstrain, muscle energy, join mobilization or reflexive techniques). Advance reading and anatomical review is recommended.

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About the Instructor
Kate Jordan, NCTBMBis a nationally recognized expert in pregnancy massage. She has been presenting programs on infant massage, and pregnancy, labor and postpartum massage to schools, hospitals, and professional associations since 1980. She has practiced as a massage therapist sine 1972. She studied Edgar Cayce massage with Dr. Harold Reilly, Hawaiian lomi-lomi with Margaret Machado, and completed programs at the Namikoshi Shiatsu School and the Arica Institute. She has had extensive training in osteopathic soft tissue techniques at the Jones Institute, and the Ursa Foundation, and with John Barnes. Her movement education includes study at the Laban Institute, Continuum Movement with Emilie Conrad Da'oud (1979-1991), and the Alexander Technique with Marjorie Barstow (1984-1987). She trained in the use of visualization and guided imagery for medical conditions with Dr. Carol Simonton, the Academy for Guided Imagery, and Dr. Rebecca Martin. She taught at the International Professional School of Bodywork in San Diego from 1979 to 1991. In her private practice at the La Jolla Clinic of Integrative Medicine, she specializes in working with individuals experiencing complex medical conditions and chronic and acute pain using movement re-education, guided imagery, and neuromuscular therapy. She has produced and consulted on pregnancy audio and videotapes, and is currently completing the text, Bodywork for the Childbearing Year ®. She has served on the Board of Directors of the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (1996-2001). Kate is the mother of Jeremy and Andrew who have been her teachers since their births. Kate is assisted, as needed, by other experienced teachers or assistants.

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Preparations for Class and What to Bring

Anatomy Preparation
Review the location and function of the following muscles: diaphragm, abdominal group, erector spinae, quadratus lumborum, psoas, muscles of the pelvic floor, quadraceps group, adductors and abductors of the hip, tensor fascia lata, gluteus maximus, hamstrings, peroneals, gastrocnemius, pectoralis major and minor, trapezius, supraspinatus, scalenes, suboccipitals, levator scapulae, rhomboids - In particular, be able to identify and visualize the size, shape, and thickness of each muscle, along with its depth in the body, and its relationship to surrounding muscles.

Reading
In order to prepare better for the class, you may read The New Well Pregnancy Book by Mike and Nancy Samuels (Summit Books). This is an optional , not required text.

Equipment to Bring
1. Four bed pillows with pillow cases; OR Contoured Body Cushion or body pillow, plus two additional bed pillows.
2. Three sets of linens (two sheets each set) and pillow cases.
3. Two hand towels.

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Practicum - Saturday, Aug 23, 2008 1:15-2:30 p.m.
If you are from the Twin Cities Metro Area, find a pregnant woman, in her second or third trimester, who is experiencing a normal, uncomplicated pregnancy, to bring to class on the practicum day. In addition, if you know more than one pregnant woman who might be interested in coming to the practicum, please have her contact Jenny Bell at Northwestern, 952-887-1390 so she can be added to our list of volunteers. If you do not have a friend or client who is pregnant, ask your friends, or contact a midwife or childbirth education class. If you are not from the Twin Cities Metro Area, let us know and we will help provide a model for you.

Inform your pregnant model that she will be working one on one with you. The pregnancy practicum will be held on Saturday afternoon. Please provide your model with a copy of the pregnancy practicum information sheet and release before she arrives on Saturday, and familiarize yourself with the release form that you will be signing. We will send all registered students the forms after the July 21, 2008 deadline. If you have questions, please contact Jenny Bell, Conference Coordinator, at 952-887-1390.