What if gentle, intentional touch could realign your organs, regulate your cycle, ease digestion, and reconnect you to your body’s innate wisdom? In this episode of The Dancing Willow, Elliott sits down with longtime friend, licensed massage therapist, abdominal therapy practitioner, and artist, Cara Sheahan of Gold Pine Wellness for an intimate, wide-ranging conversation on abdominal massage, bodywork as medicine, and the often-overlooked power of pre conception, pregnancy and postpartum care. Cara shares her journey from an early calling toward birth work into massage therapy, where she found a path that allows her to support fertility, pregnancy, postpartum healing, and overall vitality. Together, Elliott and Cara explore what abdominal massage really is (and what it isn’t), its roots and evolution, and why this modality can support everything from painful periods and digestion to fertility, pelvic alignment, and nervous system regulation. They also explore bodywork as a whole, why deep tissue is often misunderstood and how gentle work that is in alignment with the nervous system may be much deeper. They also discuss: Why postpartum bodywork is deeply needed and culturally undervaluedHow abdominal massage supports menstrual health, fertility, digestion, and pelvic balanceThe connection between organ placement, circulation, hormones, and pain patternsCommon misconceptions around prenatal massage and first-trimester careGentle versus deep work, fascia, lymph, and nervous system safetySelf-massage as ritual, embodiment, and daily medicinePlant allies for bodyworkers and womb health, including tulsi, lemon balm, damiana, and mugwortThe conversation closes with reflections on fertility as life force, Cara’s plant relationships, and her hand-drawn Living Tarot deck, alongside practical guidance on who abdominal massage is for, contraindications to be aware of, and how to find a qualified practitioner near you. Whether you’re curious about womb health, pregnancy and postpartum support, digestive wellness, or simply deepening your relationship with your body, this episode offers grounded wisdom, tenderness, and a reminder that healing doesn’t have to be forceful to be profound. ✨ A nourishing listen for anyone interested in embodied healing and gentle, effective care. ✨ Links from the Episode: Gold Pine Wellness (Cara’s practice): https://goldpinewellness.comThe Abdominal Therapy Collective Directory: https://abdominaltherapycollective.comDancing Willow Herbs Inner Warmth Massage Oil: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/collections/new-bath-and-body/products/inner-warmth-massage-oil-1?variant=47550052860193Living Tarot Deck (available at Dancing Willow Herbs if you call to place an order at 970-247-1654)Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share with others who would love it. Support the podcast by making a purchase with Dancing Willow Herbs! Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com Instagram: @dancingwillowherbsco
