I’ve been seeing Louis regularly for several years now. At first, I thought I didn’t really have any complaints — I mainly saw it as a good way to relax and loosen up my body, especially since I spend a lot of time in the same posture at my office job. Louis’s massages are far from gentle. In fact, the shoulder work can be quite intense and not always pleasant — a clear sign that things were more stuck than I realized. After each session, I always feel great — as if everything is more flexible and my body has returned to its “normal” state.
When I became pregnant, I thought I should stop the treatments, since much of the massage is done lying on your stomach. But Louis assured me that wasn’t necessary. Instead of the usual back/stomach position, I lay on my side — and that worked perfectly! In fact, Louis explained that Shiatsu can be especially beneficial during pregnancy, as it helps regulate hormonal changes. It’s important, of course, that Louis is aware of the pregnancy so he can avoid certain pressure points that are associated with inducing labor. During pregnancy, your posture changes, sleep becomes more difficult, and you can’t exercise as actively — so it’s really helpful to have your body properly cared for. I found it especially valuable to relax deeply during that time, and apparently the baby enjoyed it too — he became very active during the sessions!
During my second pregnancy, I had significant tailbone pain. It wasn’t clear what caused it, but after a session with Louis, the discomfort was noticeably reduced.
Louis also mentioned that around the due date, he could focus on specific areas to help stimulate labor. During my second pregnancy, my water broke but contractions didn’t start. The birth was scheduled to be induced the next day, which I was dreading. I called Louis that same afternoon for an emergency session that evening. Being as flexible as he is (he had just stepped off a plane), he made time for me. Luckily, the contractions started spontaneously that afternoon, so the session wasn’t needed — but it was reassuring to know that option was available.
Even after giving birth, I benefited from the massages. Breastfeeding meant spending long periods in the same position, with a few extra kilos added — not ideal for arms and shoulders.
Finally, the atmosphere with Louis is always wonderful. I feel completely at ease — we can chat and laugh, or simply enjoy the silence and relax deeply.