Member Interview: Caitlin Perry

What services do you offer to folks during conception, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum? 

I’m a bodyworker specializing in abdominal therapy. I have services for folks in all stages of their fertility, pregnancy and postpartum journey. I work with people during preconception to help regulate hormonal/ menstrual cycles. I offer prenatal bodywork, where I use a blend of Chinese Medicine techniques, as well as Swedish massage to help ease common pregnancy symptoms and discomfort. I also love working with people late in pregnancy to help prepare the body for birth. These are often called “birth prep” or “induction” massages. But they won’t make you go into labor if your body isn’t ready:) Finally, I support folks postpartum through postpartum abdominal therapy. It’s a relaxing way to heal postpartum and give some attention to this area of your body that has done so much work. As a mom to a 6 and 4 year old, I understand that postpartum can last for a long time, and welcome anyone who feels that they are healing from a birth, miscarriage, abortion, or any kind of loss. While I focus on the abdomen, I am guided to other places of your body, either intuitively or by you directing me to other injuries or areas of tension. So rest assured, you will get a wholistic treatment.

How did you get into your line of work? 

I got into my line of work about 10 years ago. I went to college for Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and graduated in 2010. I couldn't find a job, as we were deep in the recession, so I decided to go back to school for something that was more of a "trade". I went with massage therapy because I had seen first hand, the many benefits, and I felt really deeply that people can recover and heal their bodies, with their bodies. The school that I went to was a school for Chinese Medicine and massage therapy. In Chinese Medicine, abdominal work is really important for both assessment and treatment. I integrated abdominal massage into every full body massage I gave (with consent of course), eventually becoming known as someone who works with the abdomen. Through word of mouth, my niche was developed. I have since taken extra trainings in visceral manipulation and energy work, and for the past 2 years I've been teaching abdominal therapy to other bodyworkers in my 4 day "Abdominal Massage Intensive".

What do people think you do to support folks? 

Many people think they need to have something major in need of attention to receive abdominal therapy. While I do see people who are recovering from surgery or have mysterious digestive issues that they can't figure out, I also see people who just want healing, and feel soothed by abdominal massage. I think a big misconception is that I spend the entire session right on the belly. Most of the time that would be too much work in that area. I integrate acupressure and other bodywork techniques. I love finding connections in the body and often work 2-3 extra areas. sometimes it’s a more traditional full body massage that just begins with abdominal work.

What do you actually do to support folks?  

I listen, with my hands. I feel for lines of tension. Where are they coming from? How can they unravel? How deep is the restriction? It's a form of communication that can only be felt. I help people to find balance in their lives, to feel less pain, to be able to eat foods they love without terrible consequences. I help guide people through their fertility journey's by clearing physical and emotional blockages in the womb. I help people recovering from childbirth or trauma by bringing the circulation back, nourishing the tissues with movement of blood, lymph and energy. I support folks in having an hour or 90 minutes to get out of their heads, go inward and allow for healing to happen.

What is something that you feel like you are uniquely able to help people with? 

People often stand up after a session and say "Wow, I feel like myself again." or "I feel like I'm feeling my feet on the ground for the first time. I feel so grounded." Through abdominal therapy, I feel that people are able to connect with the depths of who they are, as well as the depths of the earth and the infiniteness of the universe, feeling support all around them. While I'm tempted to say "I feel uniquely able to help people with their digestion or decrease pain, or regulate menstrual cycles", I think my true uniqueness shines more in my ability to help people feel grounded when maybe they were otherwise scattered, and to help people feel whole again. After big life transitions such as having a baby, the question of "who am I? Why am I here?" begins to be answered. In that answering, much is unraveled and set in front of you. With the great responsibility that comes with caring for the most special of beings, all the pieces of who you were can feel like they're set to the side until you have time to piece them back together. So that's my part of my uniqueness: through abdominal therapy, helping people piece themselves back together, and finding peace in a constantly changing body.

What is the one piece of advice you find yourself telling people over and over again? Drink warm fluids and eat warm foods! Ditch the salads and smoothies and go for steamed or sauteed veggies and herbal teas. Cold foods and drinks put out our digestive fire. It takes a lot of energy for our digestive systems to heat our food and drink for proper digestion. Temperature of food is often overlooked and quite important. I have seen some people's digestive issues go away completely by adhering to this advice. Plus great for the immune system!

What are the top 3 questions people ask when they first start to work with you for support?  

Question: Do you give abdominal massage during pregnancy?

Answer: Yes, but it looks a lot different. During the beginning stages of pregnancy, I do very minimal abdominal work as the womb is beginning to fill. As pregnancy progresses, I will work with the abdomen as needed, and will gently massage soothing oils over the growing belly. As a whole though, my pregnancy bodywork sessions are much closer to a full body massage.

Question: Can I eat before a session?

Answer: I generally tell people to try to eat a big meal a couple hours before their session, and if they need food beforehand, to have a lighter meal or snack. I don't want people to be hungry during a session, but I also know from experience that it can feel uncomfortable to have a giant Italian sub right before a session.

Question: What does after care look like?

Answer: If you receive visceral manipulation from me I will tell you to just take it easy for 3-4 days after your session. This means that you can still exercise as normal, but lower the intensity to about 60% of your normal. This is because the organs are still moving and getting used to new patterns and ways of holding.