If you need to cancel or reschedule, please give at least 48 hours notice. Cancellations with less than 48 hours notice or missed appointments will warrant payment for the scheduled appointment. Please reschedule if you are experiencing cold or flu-like symptoms. There is no fee for rescheduling due to illness with 2 hours notice, onset of labor, or a true emergency. Thank you for honoring this policy.

Please park in the designated slots marked "Sparrow's Nest" in our parking lot. You may also park on the streets surrounding our studio for free, with no time limits.

We service 15 miles radius from zip code 91105 at our normal house-call rates.

Anything beyond 15 miles warrants an extra $50 service charge. Maximum travel distance is 40 miles from zip code 91105.

We offer house-calls for all bodywork services and infant massage instruction. Holistic skincare is only available in -office. 

Yes. Our pricing is all inclusive, and we politely decline gratuity.

Yes. We have a variety of discounted packages to suit your needs, you can find them here.

We need a minimum of 6'x8' to fit our massage table in your home. If you don't have this much space, there's a possibility we can work on your bed for prenatal/ postpartum work. Please call us ahead of time to discuss.

We will bring everything else to you, including:

Table

sheets

bolsters

oil

 relaxing music 

We'll ask you to fill out an intake form and discuss your health history and your goals and preferences before you get on the massage table. Our therapists are highly trained and experienced, and our aim is to tailor a session that best fits your needs. While we are very intuitive, we also invite and encourage your feedback during a session. If you'd like more or less pressure, would like to spend a little more time in a certain area, or just want to be educated about what we're doing, just let us know! This is your session, and we're honored to support you.

No, we also offer therapeutic massage for anyone with a body. We’re here to support your friends and family, men & women with tailored, quality bodywork.

You can undress down to your level of comfort. Many clients undress fully, others leave underwear on, while others leave bra & underwear on. Regardless of what you choose, you will be given privacy & time to disrobe and situate yourself underneath the sheets. We are professional with our draping of the sheets and will not overexpose an area without your consent. 

Shaving is not necessary at all, on any part of the body. 

You don’t need to be freshly showered before your appointment, but a general level of cleanliness and hygiene is appreciated. Please do not come to your session directly after a rigorous workout without showering first.

There are benefits to both, and we will follow your lead. Talking allows processing of life events which may add to your relaxation. We will not give advice, but can be a non-judgmental, caring, listening ear for you. Not talking may allow you to drop into a deeper state of relaxation and peace. 

*Please note that you should always speak up if anything is painful, uncomfortable, or if you need something different (change in speed, pressure, focus, or if you need to pause or stop a session for any reason).

We offer both 60 minute and 90 minute sessions. Sixty minute sessions can focus on either a specific focus area, or on full body relaxation. Ninety minutes gives us time to do both focused work on a particular concern as well as a more "global" full body treatment.

Mercier Therapy is an external deep pelvic visceral manipulation technique focused on restoring blood flow and proper positioning of the uterus and ovaries within the pelvis. The "Shared Journey Fertility Program" is a prescribed course of Mercier Therapy to help support conception.

Yes. Anyone with an IUD, Essure, current pelvic infection, or cancer cells present cannot receive this therapy. Women with endometriosis cannot receive this therapy during their menstrual cycle. We would resume treatment after menstruation ceases.

In a 4 year case study concluded in 2012, 83% of participants became pregnant within one year of completing the program. To read more about the case study,  please click here http://www.merciertherapyofri.com/case-study/

The work is structured as a total of six hours of treatment for successful outcomes as well as accountability. We share this journey with you to support your towards your ultimate conception success. Generally the work is structured as 6 one hour sessions, spaced one week a part. This timing can be condensed if there’s travel required to access treatment, or if you’re preparing for a medically assisted cycle.

Mercier Therapy is a natural means of promoting fertility by optimizing the function of the reproductive organs. It works by promoting blood flow and releasing scar tissue in the pelvis from a sedentary lifestyle, past C-section or other abdominal surgeries, accidents, sexual trauma or traumatic birth, or endometriosis. It may be used as a stand-alone therapy or as a preparation of the body for IUI or IVF treatments to help augment the chances of a successful ART cycle. Unlike IVF, Mercier Therapy is non-invasive, more cost effective, has no long-term health consequences, and is often more emotionally supportive of the woman and her partner.

Mercier Therapy is deep, precise, organ-level work. If there are any restrictions in the pelvis, the work may be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. We will work with you to coordinate your breath with some of the deeper work to alleviate discomforts should they arise.

Any remaining sessions may be used after delivery. This work is very helpful post-delivery as well.

Our therapists hasve worked extensively with women preparing for motherhood and are adept at supporting women and their partners during emotionally "charged" and vulnerable times. In addition, the Sparrow's Nest Team has advanced massage training which add elements of soothing and relaxation that complement the deeper precise work that  Mercier Therapy entails. 

Contrary to what many people think, yes, it is safe to receive a massage in your first trimester. There is NO evidence that massage increases the likeliness of miscarriage, but because most miscarriages occur in the first trimester, many massage establishments avoid it for liability reasons. This is a shame, especially when many women could greatly benefit during this time from the relaxation engendered by massage as well helping to remedy pre-pregnancy tension before it compounds later in pregnancy. That being said, it is wise to receive

Yes, deep tissue work is safe with a qualified therapist who understands pregnant anatomy. Some deep work may be necessary to achieve the lengthening and release we look for to help you feel lighter, aligned, and more comfortable in your body. Along the way, there are some acupressure points to be avoided and we will effortlessly steer clear of those while working slowly and attentively to relieve your discomforts.

Yes, you can have your tired feet massaged. While it is true that there are acupressure points in the ankle and feet that should not be held with deep pressure for a sustained period of time, you can rest assured that we know how to navigate the body safely.

 Two treatments per month is usually ideal up to 36 weeks of pregnancy. From 36 weeks until delivery, weekly appointments are highly recommended. This is simply a guideline to get the most out of your care as massage yields its best results cumulatively over time. We are thrilled to serve you at any interval that works for your schedule and budget. We also offer discounts on packages.

There's never a penalty if you have to cancel due to labor. We love what we do, and want to support women as much as possible leading up to the birth of their baby. We'd rather you have an appointment scheduled and end up needing to cancel, than to need one and not have one set up.

We work predominantly in side-lying position using professional pregnancy bolsters which:

-supports uterine ligaments

-promotes optimal circulation to uterus

-takes pressure off tender breast tissue

-prevents sinus congestion

-fosters easy communication with your therapist

-allows the entire body to be accessed 

We also occasionally work in semi-reclining position which is a great option if acid reflux is present, and may be more comfortable when carrying multiple babies.

We never work with a pregnant woman in a face-down pillow system.

We recommend at least three postnatal sessions within the first four months. After four months, we recommend you come in every 4-6 weeks for maintenance. The postpartum period truly lasts at least a full year, and we support many women beyond that time frame as well. Receiving nurturing bodywork during your child-bearing years has far reaching effects on your ability to nurture your new baby and your growing family.

Yes. Our postpartum massages include abdominal work to help move organs back to their pre-pregnancy positions, improve healing speed, check for diastasis (ab separation), and aid in closing the body after the great opening of birth. If you prefer to exclude this work, just let your therapist know.

Don’t stress...We are experts at adapting for postpartum massage. If you book a house call massage, it's best to have someone watch your baby so the focus can be 100% on you. We also know how to go with the flow and adapt to your child’s needs too, which sometimes means they are on the massage table with us.

We plan on you leaking, and have added towels to absorb any spillage. If you don’t feel comfortable with these measures, feel free to wear your nursing bra, and we’ll work around it, no problem!

If your breasts are sore, we can position you in side-lying or semi-reclining which put zero pressure on your breast tissue, and still allow us to access your whole body. If you’re dying to lie face down, but are concerned about breast pressure, we can experiment with a pillow under your breasts to take pressure off- this works well for some of our clients. Don’t worry if you’re not sure what you need. We’ll work with you & experiment to achieve your best comfort.

If you had an uncomplicated vaginal birth, we can see you right away, even the day after birth. 

If you had any complications with your delivery including C-section, forceps or vacuum use, we may be able to see you right away, we just need clearance from your care provider. We can provide a release form for them to sign. Please contact us if this is needed. A release is only needed if you're less than 6 weeks postpartum and had delivery complications. If you're beyond 6 weeks, you may book without a clearance. 

All services include a skin analysis, followed by skin cleansing, gentle exfoliation, hydrating masks, & time to rest and reflect while receiving facial reflexology, mini dry brushing, cold globes and scalp massage. 

Our full 60 minute services also include lip & eye treatment.

Mini Facials are 30 minutes, & the perfect add-on to any massage service. Choose from our Mini Hydrating Facial for your face, or our Mini Belly Facial for your belly.

Our Full Skincare Services are 60 minutes & include our Customized Facial or our Hydrating & Belly Combo Service.

The answer to this question may vary based on your unique circumstances and the specific skin issues you need support with. 

As a general rule, it's great to get a facial in the range of once a month through once a season

Our facial products, implements & techniques are all pregnancy & breastfeeding safe. We use select gentle products from Pharmacy, Farmhouse Fresh & Hylunia. 

Additionally, we AVOID...

...excessive heat (facials will not include hot steam)

...heavily scented products

...essential oils: Sage, Tarragon, Wintergreen, Rosemary, & Mugwort.

...ingredients: BHA, Salicylic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Retinoids, Tetracycline, Benzoyl Peroxide, Fragrance, Phthalates, Sulfate, Parabens and Hydroquinone. 

Induction massage may feel intense in certain points, but not painful. The massage does not need to be painful in order to be effective. Please speak up & let your therapist know if you're experiencing anything more than pleasure on the borderline of pain.

We recommend that you book your induction massage ahead of time, and cancel it if you don't end up needing it. Please book your induction massage around your due date, or a bit after.

This massage cannot force your body to do anything that it's ready to do on it's own.

That being said, we've had very good success rates of women at 40 weeks gestation or more going into labor within 48 hours after an induction massage.

This massage was created to help you navigate pressure from your care provider. If you’re simply tired of being pregnant, please hang in there! There are so many benefits to waiting until your body & baby are ready. We understand how uncomfortable it can be, and we can help alleviate any discomforts you're experiencing with a regular prenatal massage, which you can book right here.

We recommend that you schedule as soon as you’re concerned about breast tissue changes. Mastitis can come on quickly, and we don’t want you to come in when you’re already in pain, or worse yet, have a fever. (Massage is contraindicated with a fever, as it's circulatory stimulation can spread infection).

1st signs of engorgement include:

• Swollen, firm, and painful breasts.
• Breasts may also be hard, shiny, warm, and slightly lumpy to the touch.

If you already have mastitis, you may still get a massage once you've started taking antibiotics and/or your fever has broken.

If you’re concerned about low milk supply, this massage will also help with increasing milk production. Please book as soon as your concerns arise. 

You should see an improvement in one session, but 3 or more may be necessary to see lasting change. The exact number is dependent on your unique situation & severity of blockages.

Lactation massage is a very methodical lymphatic massage that uses small amplitude pulsing and light sweeping strokes. These massage techniques work best directly on the skin, but can also be done with a client wearing a thin shirt. Your comfort and sense of safety is very important to us. Please let your therapist know which you prefer.

We are not lactation consultants. We can manually help aid your breast health to support breastfeeding, but we cannot assess your baby’s needs or their latch. We are happy to provide you with a referral list of trusted lactation experts if needed.

Lactation massage is a very thorough process of clearing congested breast tissue, and often takes time.

How much time depends on breast size, density of breast tissue, state of congestion/ severity of needs, and whether it's one or both breasts that require attention.

If you would like other areas of the body included in your session in addition to the lactation work, we recommend booking a 90 minute session. Please let your therapist know your needs and goals for your massage, and if you'd like a full body session. 

As soon as you're fully healed. The best time to work on your scar is between 8-20 weeks postpartum. This gives your body time to fully heal the scar, but not so long that the scar tissue solidifies. That being said, it’s never too late to come in for this work. We’ve worked on 20 year old C-section scars and still created significant lower back and pelvic pain relief for our clients.

Scar work can be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. The purpose of the work is to free up binding in your scar so that the skin, fascia, and organs move independently from one another. This means that some sensations can be described as “burning,” “ripping” or “hot.” We know that sounds terrible, but these sensations are what break down adhesions and create freedom in your body. The degree to which you feel this will be tolerable. Your therapist will work with you to make sure that the work is both effective and stays within your range of comfort.

The number of sessions can depend on  how much scar tissue your body produces, how old your scar is, and how much time in your postpartum session you want to dedicate to scar work. Generally 4-10 sessions will make a tremendous difference in your healing.

Yes, when you come in to receive your massage we can talk you through what we're doing and how we do it so that you can also work on your scar at home.

If your loss was medically uncomplicated, we may see you right away, or as soon as you feel ready. If your loss involved complications like, surgery or hemorrhage, we'd defer to your care provider to release you for massage & will follow any recommended modifications, if given.

No. Whether it's been weeks, months, or years since your loss, grieving and healing are not linear. If you feel you'd benefit from this type of physical nurturing, we are here for you. 

At it's essence, bereavement massage is a postpartum massage with an added layer of emotional sensitivity. The bereaved body is still a postpartum body, and the same techniques we use to help our clients recover after birth are applicable here. This includes abdominal work to promote healing, and give reverence to the space that held life. 

This service supports any womb loss including abortion, miscarriage, or stillbirth.

For group classes, infants aged 6 weeks to pre-crawling are welcome.

For private classes, the age range is a bit broader & can be appropriate for babies younger than 6 weeks or up to one year old.

Group series take place in our office when no other sessions are happening, usually on a Sunday morning.

Private lessons take place at your home.

Many babies with special needs benefit from this practice. Let's discuss your child's needs. Many premature infants or babies who've experienced birth trauma or other health issues thrive on this practice of thoughtful touch. Input from your care provider may be needed to make the best decision for your little one.

WEEK 1: Massage for legs and feet // Identifying infant engagement and disengagement cues // Benefits of infant massage // What constitutes nurturing touch?

WEEK 2: Massage for the Relief of Gas and Colic // Massage for the stomach, chest and arms // Physical vs. emotional reasons for crying // How massage can help your baby organize input from the outside world

WEEK 3: Massage for the relief of teething discomforts // Massage for the face and back // Gentle Movements aka Baby Yoga! // What is bonding and attachment and how massage can help facilitate this important process

WEEK 4: Full-body abbreviated massage for quick relief/bonding during diaper or clothing changes // Singing to promote full-sensory integration of touch, sight, smell and sound/vocalization // How infant massage can be adapted as your child grows

*Please note for private classes, week 1&2 material is combined into the first lesson, & week 3&4 material is combined into the second lesson.