Fertility Massage Offered in Regent Square

is offering a new service for women who need a little extra relaxation and inspiration while trying to start a family.

The Pittsburgh Center for Complementary Health and Healing this month began to offer fertility massage in Regent Square, a practice that focuses on acupressure, abdominal work and opening the pelvis.

“It’s a new thing at the center but I have been doing it for five years,” Remic said. “I started working with fertility clients with energy work before that and my clients were interested in adding the massage component.”

Now an instructor of the practice, Remic said five massage therapists at the center are trained in fertility massage. This allows them to work with a variety of women depending on where they are at in their individual cycles.

“If they are doing fertility massage, they want to do that in the first half of their cycle, and so there are some specific timing pieces that need to work,” Remic said. “I love the work. It’s some of the most challenging work I have ever done and some of the most rewarding work I have ever done.”

Remic said fertility massage helps anyone who is either thinking about getting pregnant or for those who want to get their bodies healthy.

She reccomends that women start the therapy about three months before trying to get pregnant, or they can start while already trying. It can also be used to help boost IVF.

“Most women who come end up pregnant at some point along their path,” she said. “I love the work because it brings them back to their bodies so much.”

Castor oil packs are used along with specific acupressure points, essential oils, reflexology, deep abdominal work and a loosening of the pelvic muscles. She also works to open up the back so nerves can communicate more. 

“It’s going back to really show women how their bodies can be in balance instead of this pressure when women are trying,” Remic said. “Even when they are doing assisted reproductive therapy, doctors tell them not to stress even though they are spending all this money and trying so hard, and this just brings them back to the magic of it.”

Compared to a regular massage, fertility massage is much more specific. A pack of heated castor oil is placed on the woman’s abdomen, which helps to smooth out scar tissue, fibroids and increases lymphatic movement.

“Then we start into the energy work,” she said. “My thought is, it’s all about allowing the woman to connect with her spirit. We’ll have them set their intention. Then we focus on the scalp and face because loosening the jaw helps to loosen the pelvis.”

After that, Remic or another therapist will focus on acupressure and reflexology on the feet, which aims to balance hormones in the body.

“Some of that is modified if they are doing IVF because doctors are already in charge of those hormones,” she said.

Massage is then used in the abdomen to work on the deep pelvic muscles to bring more circulation to the area.

“It can help woman who have had any kind of gynecological imbalance,” Remic said. “You shouldn’t have to suffer just because you are a woman.”

Remic said it already has been rewarding to be there for women who are trying to start a family in this therapeutic way.

“It’s like a light switch goes off for these women and they can see that they are important in the process again, where a lot of times it becomes just so clinical,” Remic said. “I get so excited when they come in and tell me that they are pregnant. It’s a really special thing to be a part of for someone whether they are trying to get healthy, or if they have been trying for years.”

And in the end, the result is usually a joyful one.

“You get to see this deep longing become fulfilled for people and it’s beautiful to watch,” she said.

Fertility massage starts at $180 for two hours during the first session, followed by $140 for 90 minute sessions following. For more information, click here.