Frequently Asked Questions

Please wear anything that makes you comfortable, but preferably not skin tight fitness wear, which can make it difficult to connect with the pelvic landmarks. Many of my clients choose loose fitting pants such as cotton or linen for the active alignment positions. For massage, I will invite you to remove clothing down to underwear, and you will be comfortably draped.

Yes. Bookings for home visits within Cairns and surrounds are available by emailing me at hello@shellylangford.com.au. I can provide home visits either first thing in the morning or the last appointment in the afternoon. Travel fees apply.

My permanent practice is at 425 Varley Road, Yorkeys Knob. However I also travel to Mission Beach once a month to provide a pop up massage service.

Although they might seem like a good idea, massage tables with a belly hole ‘cut out’ are not recommended for pregnant women. Current research supports the use of side lying positions on standard massage tables during pregnancy. The cut outs leave the abdomen, uterus and baby unsupported, while increasing pressure and restricting blood flow around the sides of the abdomen. The weight of the unsupported belly can stretch uterine ligaments causing further pain and misalignment. Instead, I use a high quality massage table, supported with lush bedding to create a soft and inviting nest for you to rest and relax. It is also wide enough for you to have baby tucked beside you during postpartum massages.

Yes. I use evidence based techniques to provide massage and bodywork that is safe for all stages of preconception, pregnancy and postpartum.

There are many ways we can relieve pain and improve your comfort during pregnancy. 

The Pelvic Alignment sessions are designed specifically to bring relief to aches and pains in pregnancy by restoring balance to the pelvis and uterine ligaments. This not only brings comfort for mum but also supports baby’s positioning in preparation for birth.

Pelvic alignment combines a gentle series of supported stretches and relaxing release techniques, and does not involve any manual adjustments or cracking like chiropractic alignment.

Many mums also enjoy my Nurturing Pregnancy Massages, which are not only relaxing and rejuvenating but also address the root cause of underlying discomfort. The Combined Pregnancy Massage & Pelvic Alignment is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the best of both worlds.  

I am also an Internal Pelvic Release Work practitioner, and this modality can be used to relieve tension in the internal soft tissues of the pelvis, restoring balance to pelvic ligaments and muscles, and improving pelvic floor function.

As a Spinning Babies Aware practitioner and Optimal Maternal Positioning Ambassador, I combine proven techniques in my Pelvic Alignment sessions to release tension, restore alignment and improve balance in mum’s body, creating more space for baby. This allows baby to settle into the best position for them, and supports their pathway through the birth canal during birth. 

No. There is no cracking, and we don’t use manual adjusting techniques. Instead, you’re invited to relax as I support your body in a series of gentle, passive stretching techniques and relaxing release protocols, including using the rebozo to release tension in the buttocks and pelvic floor. 

Yes. The transition to motherhood can be dramatically improved when mothers are nurtured throughout the postpartum time. I offer massage, pelvic alignment and internal pelvic release work for postpartum mothers, and you are most welcome to bring baby with you. We can safely tuck baby in beside you on the massage table so you can remain skin to skin or breastfeed, and you can bring a companion to help look after them too. 

No. I often see mothers within days of the birth, especially if they are experiencing severe pain in the tailbone or hips. Wherever you are in the postpartum journey, you will receive warm, personalised care in a nurturing, supportive and understanding environment. 

Yes. I support a lot of mothers after cesarean and surgical births with internal pelvic release work, holistic scar management, pelvic alignment and nurturing massage. Whatever stage of healing you are in, I personalise my services to suit your needs.

Internal pelvic release work focuses on releasing tension and imbalance in the soft tissues and ligaments of the pelvis. This in turn supports alignment, improves muscle function and creates space for pelvic organs to return into position. Many women report feeling a reduction of prolapse symptoms after their very first appointment. You will also receive exercises and protocols to follow at home for continued improvement.

Internal Pelvic Release Work is a form of functional bodywork that releases tension in the soft tissues of the pelvis, restoring balance and functionality to the pelvic floor.

My Internal Pelvic Release Work sessions combine gentle external alignment of the boney pelvis and internal release of tension in the pelvic ligaments, muscles and fascia.

This work aligns the structure of the pelvis and relieves tension in the soft tissues, increasing tone and better supporting pelvic organs, reducing pain and improving comfort in a wide range of conditions. I have an entire FAQ page dedicated just to Internal Pelvic Release work here.

Yes I can provide internal pelvic assessments after birth as part of an Internal Pelvic Release Work session, but I encourage my clients to think beyond dates and milestones. Our bodies all recover and heal differently, and on different timelines. The traditional ‘six week check’ has placed a lot of pressure on mothers to ‘bounce back’ or look and feel a certain way within six weeks of childbirth, which is simply not realistic. A mother’s mind and body is forever changed after carrying a baby, whether for a whole nine months or just a short while. The fourth trimester extends for at least three months – longer for many. And postpartum is, well, forever. The focus of Internal Pelvic Release Work is to support recovery and pelvic floor function at any stage of life, whether that be six weeks or six decades after birth.

Internal pelvic release work is suitable for all women with a vagina at any stage of life, from preconception to pregnancy and postpartum, through to menopause and beyond. 

While I am honoured every time a woman asks me to support her during birth, I am currently not accepting bookings for birth attendance. But I continue to support women and couples with private support during pregnancy and postpartum, including birth education, birth debriefing, postpartum support and perinatal wellbeing calls.