Pregnancy is beautiful, on that I’m sure we all agree. But it doesn’t always feel beautiful. Being pregnant – though the ultimate blessing – can take quite a toll on the bod. The heavy belly, sore back, swollen feet, the constant fatigue. And after the baby comes home, postpartum mothers and all new parents log a slew of new ailments: sore neck, shoulders, arms and back, more fatigue, and less time for personal needs.

The soothing touch of skilled hands can alleviate those pains and provide pampering, and the women of Belly Love Therapeutic Massage are here to serve. Brittany Rhoads of Rhoads Massage Therapy (right) and Jennifer Brennan, owner of Solace Massage Therapy and Wellness (below), have joined forces to nurture moms during and after pregnancy. Chums from their student days at Potomac Massage Training Institute, both were recently certified in pregnancy, labor, and postpartum massage with Kate Jordan Seminars.

As massage therapists, Brittany and Jennifer know that a good rub helps all individuals relax, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. For the expectant mom, massage is a safe way to improve circulation, relieve musculoskeletal pain, and provide a supportive, caring environment for both mother and unborn child.

Throughout her own recent pregnancy, Brittany received massage regularly and felt that it helped relieve the aches and pains associated with her ever-changing pregnant form. Jennifer wishes that she had gotten massages after giving birth to help stabilize her fluctuating hormones and soothe arm and shoulder fatigue from holding and nursing her newborns. Says Jennifer, “Brittany and I know how it feels to be pregnant, we’ve lived through the pain and exhilaration of labor and delivery, we know the fatigue of motherhood, and we know massage.”

While the two therapists are independent practitioners with separate private practices, they created Belly Love as a service to more easily market and educate the public about pregnancy and postpartum massage. Sessions are available by appointment only and are held in the duo’s downtown Silver Spring office.

Brittany and Jennifer are offering a package of 10 pregnancy massages for $700, plus one postpartum session completely free. Not up for a package? Then mention seeing this article on APISS and receive $10 off your first session. This $10 off promotion is applicable to any male or female adult.

What a great shower present or gift to a new mom! I’m thinking this is waaaay better new baby gift than bringing over another lasagna, ya know?

Belly Love Therapeutic Massage & tradtional massage therapy
by Brittany Rhoads and Jennifer Brennan
8607 Second Avenue, Suite 401A Silver Spring, MD 20910
Office is located across from the post office on Second Avenue
Metered parking on Second Avenue, Spring Street, or in the Cameron Street garage.

$80 for 60-minute massage, other sessions lengths are available

For more information, contact Brittany Rhoads at 202.425.3808 or Brittany@rhoadsmassagetherapy.com or Jennifer Brennan at 240.422.1674 or Jennifer@solacemassagetherapy.com

Belly Love logo courtesy Silver Spring graphic artist (and parent) Dave Williams