Meet Ru Emmons, Pittsburgh Massage Therapist
We want to introduce you to Ru Emmons (they/them), a bodyworker and somatics practitioner based in Regent Square.
Ru has strong ties to the Pittsburgh birth community, and offers massage and somatics work for people on the path to parenthood. If you are on a fertility journey, expecting a little one, recovering from birth, or just in need of some TLC, Ru is here to support you!
Speaking from experience, working with Ru is a delight!
We hope you enjoy getting to know them better here.
Tell us a bit about yourself, and what led you to become a massage therapist.
I am a queer and trans-centric bodyworker and somatics practitioner. My own identity includes but is not limited to being queer, trans, white, able-bodied, owning class, and Jewish. Because of the amazing clients that have found me, I have focused on creating a trauma-informed, safer place for folks who are looking for some respite from a world that is full of hard things.
I actually came to bodywork through the birth world. I worked at the front office of The Midwife Center for 7-ish years. Throughout that time, I became aware that I wanted to work with clients one-on-one in a healing capacity.
I also find that my experiences in the social justice and performing realms inform my approach to individual work as one just aspect of healing our world.
How can massage help people throughout the journey of fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum?
Surrounding any big change to the body, bodywork can be supportive in becoming familiar with what’s going on inside. This includes pregnancy and birth, but also any surgery, starting hormones, or dealing with a chronic health flare. It can provide extra space to our connective tissue and provide relief for tired muscles.
Massage can allow a moment to focus just on yourself, and to reset your nervous system. There is a lot of focus on the physical changes associated with fertility, pregnancy, and post-partum. But it can be a hugely emotional journey as well. I strive to create a safer space for anyone on any end of that journey, be it dealing with miscarriage, struggles to conceive, or the wide range of experiences that can occur in pregnancy and post-partum.
Photo by Sara Middleton
How often do you recommend people receive massage during their fertility and perinatal time?
I don’t prescribe a frequency at which to get bodywork, because it is particular to everyone based on their schedule and budget.
However, I do recommend a regular schedule of some kind, be it weekly, biweekly, monthly, or quarterly. This is because the body starts to become more receptive to bodywork as you get in a routine of receiving.
I do think as you get closer to delivery, the importance of prioritizing yourself and your relaxation gets higher on the list. At the very least, it can be a nice distraction from waiting for the baby to come!
I want to mention here that one of the reasons I have a sliding scale is to allow folks to come as often as they feel they can benefit from getting work. I would much prefer you come more often and pay lower on my sliding scale than coming twice a year and pay the highest!
Are there any common misconceptions about getting massages during pregnancy or after giving birth that you want to clear up?
Some people come in and expect a “pregnancy table” with a hole that would allow them to lie face down. While those exist, they aren’t generally recommended because of the potential to strain a client’s uterine ligaments.
The way we make pregnancy massage safe for the parent and the baby is through positioning. I do mostly side-lying work during pregnancy.
Are there any times during the perinatal period when massage would not be recommended?
Unfortunately we live in a culture that is very nervous about liability, especially surrounding pregnancy. Because of this, it is generally good practice to not come in for bodywork during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. After that period, you are cleared to be on my table, as long as your care team agrees.
Do you offer any other services to support people on their journey to parenthood?
I offer one-on-one somatic work, and I dream of one day running a group for queer parents and people on their way to parenthood. I am familiar with the challenges that come with trying to make the decision to have kiddos, and all of the various complicated pathways to doing so. If you need any extra support surrounding these big life events, feel free to read more about my somatic offerings.
I do want to touch on the benefits of getting bodywork while in the process of trying to get pregnant. One of the benefits of massage is increased body-awareness. The process of trying to get pregnant can be very stressful, especially if there are any challenges along the way. I think getting regular bodywork during this time can allow you to get in touch with what your body is telling you. It might be telling you that you are overwhelmed, excited, nervous, or even that you’re feeling done with the process or need a break.
I think a lot of the time we override these embodied responses because they don’t feel appropriate or relevant to our larger goals or desires. But getting pregnant is a physical process, so I personally believe these messages from the body are important to listen to!
Providing space for whatever is going on can allow you to be more present and relaxed for the rest of the (possibly more stressful) pieces of journeying to parenthood.
What can a new client expect from their first visit with you?
I generally have folks fill out an online intake form that is fairly detailed, so that I know more or less your goals for the session beforehand.
The day of the first visit, we chat for a bit longer and get an idea of what you’d like to work on that day. Then, if it’s a bodywork session, I will let you get undressed and on the table in privacy before knocking and coming back into the room to start the session. If it’s a somatic session, we will work seated and clothed.
Photo by Sara Middleton
What do you feel are your particular strengths as a massage therapist?
I’ve been doing this for long enough to say that, while I believe my hands-on skills are wonderful, I actually don’t think that’s the most important part of being a massage therapist.
I think my ability to listen to peoples’ goals and desires for their bodywork session allows me to adapt to what my clients need in the moment. I pride myself on providing a safer space for folks who have experienced trauma or simply need more nervous system regulation as a part of their session. I feel very equipped to respond to any emotional release or challenge that might come up during the session.
Last but not least, I love getting to know my clients! It’s the most fun part of my job, and I think it allows me to do it well.
What is your favorite part of working with folks during the childbearing year?
I really love it when a client comes back to see me after having their kiddo! It makes me so happy when new parents are able to prioritize themselves and their bodies. I feel privileged to be able to support that part of the journey.
I love to support the process of getting back in touch with being an individual again—though of course you are still interconnected with your baby.
What is the best way for people to learn more about your services and get in touch?
If you’d like to learn more, you can read about me and my offerings at www.ruemmons.com. There is a scheduling link right there on the website. You can also contact me if you have questions, or just want to chat and see if we might be a good fit!
