Recover, Restore, and Reclaim Your Body After Birth. A support for the “Fourth Trimester”.
The weeks following childbirth are a time of immense change. Your body has just performed a miracle, but now you are navigating recovery, sleep deprivation, and the intense physical demands of caring for a newborn.
At Euro Physical Therapy In Lethbridge, we offer compassionate Post-Natal Massage designed to help you bridge the gap between pregnancy and parenthood. Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a C-section, our Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs) provide a safe, non-judgmental space for you to rest and heal. We tailor every session to your unique delivery history and comfort level, helping you reset so you can feel more like yourself again.
What is Post-Natal Massage?
Post-Natal Massage, also known as Postpartum Massage in Lethbridge is bodywork specifically tailored for the weeks and months following birth. It focuses on realigning the body structure, reducing fluid retention, and regulating hormones.
How Post-Natal Massage works:
Restoration: We focus on the muscles that were stressed during pregnancy (lower back, hips) and the muscles now being overused (neck, shoulders, arms).
Positioning: We ensure your comfort, especially if your breasts are tender or if you have a healing C-section incision. We use pillows and bolsters to support you safely.
Technique: A mix of relaxation strokes to calm the nervous system and targeted release for “nursing neck” and hip misalignment.
Post-Natal Massage can be helpful whether you had a vaginal delivery or C-section, once you are medically cleared and comfortable with positioning.
What Post-Natal Massage does (Benefits)
Post-Natal Massage in Lethbridge is crucial for speeding up physical and emotional recovery. Key benefits include:
- Hormone Regulation: Helps balance mood by reducing cortisol (stress) and increasing oxytocin and dopamine (improving the “baby blues”).
- Swelling Reduction: Encourages the lymphatic system to flush out the excess fluids retained during pregnancy and IV fluids given during labour.
- Pain Relief: Alleviates the deep muscle aches from labour and the strain of holding a baby for hours.
- Improved Breastfeeding Posture: Releasing tight chest muscles (pecs) helps open the shoulders, making breastfeeding or bottle-feeding more comfortable.
- C-Section Recovery: Once the incision is healed, specific massage techniques can prevent scar tissue from adhering to the underlying muscles and organs.
- Better Sleep: Promotes deeper, more restorative sleep (during the windows you can actually sleep!).
Educational note: Post-Natal Massage supports comfort, recovery, and relaxation. It does not guarantee specific outcomes, and results vary.
Who can benefit from Post-Natal Massage? (Indications and Conditions/Common concerns)
Post-Natal Massage in Lethbridge is for any mom who has recently given birth, whether weeks or months ago. We treat:
- “Nursing Neck”: Severe tension in the neck and shoulders from looking down at the baby constantly.
- Lower Back Pain: lingering pain from pregnancy or from lifting car seats and strollers.
- Hip Misalignment: Pelvis pain as the hormone relaxin leaves the system and joints stiffen back up.
- Carpal Tunnel: “Mommy Thumb” or wrist pain from supporting the baby’s head.
- Postpartum Fatigue: General exhaustion and body aches.
- C-Section Scar Tightness: (After 6+ weeks) feeling of pulling or restriction at the incision site.
Post-Natal Massage in Lethbridge may also be a good fit if you:
- Want structured recovery support after pregnancy
- Are returning to activity or exercise and want help managing tightness
- Prefer a calm, supportive space to reset
If you have any medical concerns, complications, or symptoms that are unusual or worsening, check with your postpartum care provider before booking.
Post-Natal Massage treatment experience (What to expect)
Before your Post-Natal Massage session
- Timing: You can come in as soon as you feel ready. However, if you had a C-section, please wait until your incision is dry and closed (usually 4-6 weeks) before we work near the abdomen.
- Hydration Check: Post-Natal Massage releases metabolic waste. Ensure you are well-hydrated before coming in.
- Baby Logistics: While we love meeting your little ones, we highly recommend treating this appointment as dedicated “Mom Time.” Arranging childcare or bringing a support person to watch the baby in the waiting area allows you to fully disconnect and relax.
If you need to bring your baby into the treatment room:- Please ensure they are in a secure carrier or stroller for safety.
- Be aware that any time spent feeding or comforting the baby will be deducted from your total hands-on massage time.
- Intake: includes your medical history, massage intake and preferences.
During your Post-Natal Massage session
- Positioning & Comfort: We prioritize your relaxation by using a specialized body cushion that allows you to lie face-down without chest pressure (ideal for breastfeeding mothers), or we can utilize a supportive side-lying position with extra pillows if that feels best for your recovery.
- Leakage: Don’t worry. If you are nursing, leakage happens. We are professionals and have plenty of towels.
- Draping: You will always be properly draped, and only the area being treated will be uncovered.
- Pressure and pacing: Post-Natal Massage pressure is adjusted to your comfort level and postpartum sensitivity. You might want deep work on your shoulders but gentle work on your abdomen. We tailor the pressure to your recovery stage.
- Communication: Tell your therapist if anything feels uncomfortable, especially around the abdomen, ribs, chest, or surgical areas.
After your Post-Natal Massage session
- Take your time: Many people feel calmer and lighter after Post-Natal Massage.
- Hydration: Drinking water is vital, especially if you are breastfeeding, as massage moves fluids through the body.
- Soreness: You may feel a bit sore as we correct posture, but generally, you should feel lighter and more mobile.
Post-Natal Massage results and treatment timeline
Some people notice immediate relaxation after one Post-Natal Massage in Lethbridge session. Others benefit most from regular care during the early postpartum months as daily demands increase.
Common booking patterns include:
- Every 2 to 4 weeks: general recovery and tension management
- Weekly or bi-weekly: during periods of higher tension, sleep disruption, or feeding related posture strain
- Maintenance: ongoing sessions as needed while returning to activity and exercise
Insurance Coverage and Direct Billing for Post-Natal Massage
Post-Natal Massage performed by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) is eligible under standard massage therapy coverage. Coverage depends on your plan, so please confirm eligibility directly with your insurer.
- Private Insurance: Unless your plan requires pay-and-submit, we offer direct billing to most insurance providers (Blue Cross, SunLife, Canada Life, Manulife, etc.) for Post-Natal Massage.
- Special Claims: We handle approved claims for Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA), Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC), and disability claims.
- Exclusions: Post-Natal Massage is not covered by Alberta Health Care and is generally not supported by WCB.
FAQs regarding Post-Natal Massage
You can generally begin Post-Natal Massage as soon as you feel ready and able to lie comfortably on the table.
- Vaginal Delivery: Many mothers feel ready within the first few weeks. However, we always recommend checking with your midwife or doctor first.
- C-Section Delivery: If you have had a Cesarean section, we generally recommend waiting at least 6 weeks (or until you have received clearance from your physician) before focusing on the abdominal area. However, you may be able to come in sooner for neck, shoulder, and foot work if you are mobile and comfortable.
While the “fourth trimester” technically refers to the first 3 months after birth, the physical demands of motherhood last much longer.
- 0–3 Months: Focus on recovery, hormone regulation, and sleep.
- 3–12 Months: Focus shifts to “maintenance”, addressing the posture changes from breastfeeding, lifting car seats, and carrying a growing baby.
- The Transition: Once your body feels recovered and your primary concerns shift away from birth recovery, your Post-Natal Massage sessions will naturally transition back into General Therapeutic Massage or your preference.
Yes. For many new mothers, lying face-down is a relief they haven’t felt in months! We use a specialized body cushion designed with deep recesses for the chest and abdomen. This allows you to lie face-down comfortably without putting pressure on breast tissue—even if you are nursing. However, if you have a C-section incision or simply prefer not to lie on your stomach, we will use a supportive side-lying position to keep you completely comfortable.
Often yes, once you are medically cleared and comfortable with positioning. Your RMT will avoid direct pressure over healing tissue and will tailor Post-Natal Massage based on your comfort.
Please do! New moms are exhausted. Falling asleep is a compliment to your therapist and a sign your body needs the rest. We will wake you gently when the session is over.
Wear comfortable clothing to the clinic. During Post-Natal Massage, you may undress to your comfort level. You will always be properly draped, and only the area being treated will be uncovered.
Health Benefits and Conditions of Post-Natal Massage
Yes, but only after the incision has fully healed (usually 6-8 weeks). Once healed, scar tissue massage is incredibly important to prevent the scar from adhering to the pelvic floor or abdominal muscles, which can cause pain years later.
Yes. Many new parents develop neck, shoulder, and upper back tightness from feeding posture and holding positions. Post-Natal Massage can help reduce muscle tension and support comfort.
Post-Natal Massage may help support comfort by addressing muscle tension in the low back, hips, and glutes. Your RMT can also share posture and movement tips that may help between sessions.
Can Post-Natal Massage help with “Mommy Tummy” (Diastasis Recti)? Post-Natal Massage can help release the tight muscles around the abdomen and back, but to fix the separation of the abdominal muscles (Diastasis Recti), we strongly recommend booking with our Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. We work together to get you strong again.
Post-Natal Massage is a powerful tool for mental health. It reduces cortisol and provides nurturing touch, which can help alleviate anxiety and “baby blues.” However, it is a support therapy, not a cure. If you are struggling, please speak to your doctor.
Post-Natal Massage often helps! By reducing stress and relaxing the chest muscles, Post-Natal Massage can actually improve the let-down reflex.
Yes. During labour, the hips widen. As they move back into place, muscles can spasm. We use Post-Natal Massage to ease this transition and align the pelvis.
Yes, 100%. Post-Natal Massage does not release “toxins” that will harm the baby through breastmilk. It is safe and healthy for both of you.
Booking, Billing and Insurance for Post-Natal Massage
No. Post-Natal Massage, like most massage therapy, is not covered by the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. WCB also rarely covers massage therapy unless specifically authorized for a severe injury.
Yes. Most extended health benefit plans (Blue Cross, SunLife, Canada Life, Manulife, etc.) cover Post-Natal Massage when performed by a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT). Coverage varies, so please check your plan for deductibles and per-visit limits. It is billed under “Massage Therapy.”
Yes. Unless it is a pay-and-submit plan, Euro Physical Therapy offers direct billing for Post-Natal Massage services in Lethbridge to most major insurance providers to reduce paperwork.
No referral is needed to book Post-Natal Massage. However, if you had a complicated delivery or a C-section, we appreciate a verbal/written clearance from your doctor or midwife just to be safe. Also, some insurance plans require a doctor’s note for reimbursement, so please check your plan.
Yes. Many people combine Post-Natal Massage for tension and recovery support with physiotherapy or pelvic floor physiotherapy for strength, core recovery, and return to activity planning. This can be coordinated under one roof at Euro Physical Therapy in Lethbridge.
- 30 Minutes: Targeted Relief. Best for acute pain in one specific area, like a stiff neck or a sore lower back.
- 45 Minutes: The “Express” Reset. Perfect if you are on a tight schedule between feedings. We focus strictly on the upper body (neck, shoulders, and arms) to relieve “nursing posture” strain.
- 60 Minutes (Highly Recommended): The Standard. This allows enough time to address full-body aches, work on the hips and pelvis (crucial after birth), and give you time to actually mentally unwind.
- 90 Minutes: The Ultimate Restoration. If you are sleep-deprived and running on empty, this is for you. It allows for deep tissue work and extended relaxation time—many moms actually fall asleep, which is part of the therapy!
- First 3 Months: Every 2-3 weeks to help with recovery and sleep.
- Maintenance: Once a month as your baby gets heavier and more active.
Why Choose Euro Physical Therapy for Post-Natal Massage in Lethbridge?
- Integrated Care: We are not just a spa; we are a medical clinic. If you have bladder issues, separation of abs (DRA), or pelvic pain, we can instantly refer you to our in-house Pelvic Floor Physiotherapists.
- C-Section Expertise: Our Licensed Registered Massage Therapists know how to work with surgical scars safely to improve mobility.
- Empathy: We understand that you might be late, you might be tired, or you might be emotional. We are here to support you, not judge you.
- Comfort-First: We have the specialized body cushion, and techniques to make you comfortable, no matter how your body is feeling.
- Registered Massage Therapists (RMTs): Licensed, professional care tailored to postpartum recovery.
- Convenience and flexible booking: Book online through JaneApp, call us, or request walk-in availability. We offer direct billing to most insurance providers and flexible hours to fit around your training schedule.
You Take Care of the Baby. Let Us Take Care of You.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. Restore your energy and heal your body so you can be the best mom possible. Book Your Post-Natal Massage with Euro Physical Therapy in Lethbridge today.
📞 Call Euro Physical Therapy at 403-327-6466 OR
📍 Visit us in clinic 1502 9 Ave S, Lethbridge, AB
🌐 Book online: Click Here
Compare Our Massage Therapy Services in Lethbridge
| Service | Best For | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Lymphatic Drainage | Swelling, post-surgical support, fluid retention | Reduces swelling and fluid retention, boosts immune function |
| Therapeutic Massage | Pain, injury recovery, ongoing muscle tension | Pain reduction and improved day-to-day function |
| Relaxation Massage | Stress, sleep support, nervous system overload | Full-body relaxation, calms the nervous system, reduces stress |
| Myofascial Cupping Massage | Fascial tightness, limited mobility, stagnant circulation | Improves circulation, increases blood flow, reduces tightness |
| Deep Tissue Massage | Chronic tightness, stubborn knots, restricted areas | Targets deeper muscles, relieves stiffness, breaks down scar tissue |
| Sports Massage | Active people, athletes, training load | Supports recovery, enhances performance, helps prevent injury |
| Pre-Natal Massage | Pregnancy-related discomfort, back and hip strain | Safe pain relief and improved comfort during pregnancy |
| Post-Natal Massage | Postpartum recovery, feeding posture tension | Relieves new-parent tension, supports recovery, restores posture |
| MVA Massage | Motor vehicle accident-related injuries and soreness | Massage support during rehab, coordinated with your claim |
| VAC Massage | Veterans requiring care under VAC coverage | Coordinated massage care with paperwork support |