At Rapid Recovery, ongoing professional development is an important part of providing high-quality, evidence-informed care. Last month, our Myotherapy and Remedial Massage Therapy teams participated in a hands-on workshop dedicated to pregnancy massage, pelvic girdle pain, and safe treatment techniques for expectant mothers.

Led by Advanced Myotherapist Haydie Peatie, the workshop brought together practitioners from our Ferntree Gully and Healesville clinics to further develop their knowledge and practical skills in supporting pregnant clients experiencing pain and discomfort.

Thankfully, we had the perfect volunteer for the day—our Remedial Massage Therapist Shae Chilver, who was five months pregnant and generously assisted as our demonstration model.

Understanding pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain

The session explored the complex anatomy of the pelvis and the many structures that can contribute to pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, including:

• The uterine ligaments
• Pelvic floor muscles
• Soft tissues surrounding the sacrum
• Deep hip rotator muscles

By developing a deeper understanding of these interconnected structures, our therapists can better assess and tailor treatment for women experiencing discomfort throughout pregnancy.

Practical Pregnancy Massage techniques

The workshop also focused on practical treatment approaches designed to maximise both client comfort and therapeutic effectiveness.

The team refreshed best-practice positioning for clients who are unable to comfortably lie face down, including optimal side-lying support and draping techniques. We also practised techniques particularly suited to this position, such as releasing tissues around the greater trochanter and externally treating the pelvic floor muscles where they attach around the sacrum and coccyx.

Another valuable technique demonstrated was treating the lower back in an extended side-lying position, with the upper arm overhead and the top leg lengthened. This position allows excellent access to deeper muscular and fascial structures while avoiding unnecessary pressure on the uterus or baby.

Safe Pregnancy Massage matters

Client safety remained a major focus throughout the workshop.

The team discussed important contraindications and precautions, including clotting concerns and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), particularly when working around the femoral region. Understanding these considerations allows therapists to safely treat the adductor muscles when managing pregnancy-related pubic bone pain.

The workshop also covered abdominal treatment techniques. Gentle work through the abdominal wall, diaphragm and surrounding fascia can help reduce tension and load on the tissues surrounding the anterior pelvis, providing additional support for clients experiencing pubic symphysis discomfort.

Investing in ongoing clinical education

One of the strengths of Rapid Recovery is our commitment to continuous learning. Workshops like these allow our practitioners to share knowledge, refine their techniques and continue delivering the highest standard of care to our community.

"It’s one of the things I love most about working at Rapid Recovery," says Haydie. "Our practitioners genuinely enjoy learning from one another and continually developing their skills. It was fantastic to see such positive feedback from both our Ferntree Gully and Healesville teams, and I’m looking forward to running more hands-on education sessions in the future."

Whether you're seeking pregnancy massage, myotherapy during pregnancy, or support for pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain, you can feel confident knowing our team is committed to ongoing education and safe, personalised care.