Never rushed
60 minutes, including intake and assessment where it is needed, so treatment is shaped around you rather than run to a template.
Registered Massage Therapy · Manotick, Ottawa
Prenatal Massage in Ottawa
Prenatal massage in Ottawa is care adapted specifically for a pregnant body: how you are positioned, which techniques are used, and which areas are approached with more caution. I provide it at Healastic in Manotick as a Registered Massage Therapist, with side-lying positioning and proper cushioning throughout. Pregnancy asks a great deal of the low back, hips and pelvis in a short space of time, and a well-adapted massage can make the day-to-day of it considerably more comfortable.
GoogleReviews★★★★★5.0
What our patients say
5 of the 7 reviews patients have left for Healastic on Google — unedited, straight from the profile.
Pooja is expert in massage therapy. She will patiently understand the queries, answer based on your requirements. She is very professional and organized. The best part is she is also certified in pediatric therapy. My 5 YO and 8 YO enjoyed their sessions and liked it so much. I definitely recommend Healastic( Pooja). I got a lot of relief from my lower back pain and stiffness.
S
Samantha Smith
Patient · 5 months ago
★★★★★
I had such an amazing experience. I came in with pain in my leg, and the care and attention she gave to that area was incredible she really took the time to understand what was going on and treated it so thoughtfully. By the end of the session, the pain had completely eased. What stood out the most was how comfortable she made me feel throughout. Her energy is calm, professional, and genuinely caring. You can tell she truly wants her clients to feel better, not just physically but overall. I’m so grateful for the experience and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a massage that’s both healing and relaxing.
L
Laxmi Karki
Patient · 8 months ago
★★★★★
Pooja Risal is an amazing massage therapist. She has a calm and caring approach and makes you feel comfortable right away. Her technique is excellent, and she really knows how to relieve tension and stress. I felt so relaxed after my session. I truly appreciate her work and highly recommend her to anyone.
C
Christina Tamer
Patient · 9 months ago
★★★★★
Pooja is amazing at what she does. My back had been tight and sore for months, and after just one session I felt relief. She is extremely skilled, attentive, and knew exactly how to find and release all the knots and tension. I can't wait for my next massage. Thank you!
Pooja is an incredible massage therapist! I’ve received several massages from her and her touch is sublime—great deep tissue work when called upon but she has the skill to ease up when necessary as well. Her kind demeanor is also an incredible plus! A true 10/10 🙂
Pooja is expert in massage therapy. She will patiently understand the queries, answer based on your requirements. She is very professional and organized. The best part is she is also certified in pediatric therapy. My 5 YO and 8 YO enjoyed their sessions and liked it so much. I definitely recommend Healastic( Pooja). I got a lot of relief from my lower back pain and stiffness.
S
Samantha Smith
Patient · 5 months ago
★★★★★
I had such an amazing experience. I came in with pain in my leg, and the care and attention she gave to that area was incredible she really took the time to understand what was going on and treated it so thoughtfully. By the end of the session, the pain had completely eased. What stood out the most was how comfortable she made me feel throughout. Her energy is calm, professional, and genuinely caring. You can tell she truly wants her clients to feel better, not just physically but overall. I’m so grateful for the experience and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a massage that’s both healing and relaxing.
L
Laxmi Karki
Patient · 8 months ago
★★★★★
Pooja Risal is an amazing massage therapist. She has a calm and caring approach and makes you feel comfortable right away. Her technique is excellent, and she really knows how to relieve tension and stress. I felt so relaxed after my session. I truly appreciate her work and highly recommend her to anyone.
C
Christina Tamer
Patient · 9 months ago
★★★★★
Pooja is amazing at what she does. My back had been tight and sore for months, and after just one session I felt relief. She is extremely skilled, attentive, and knew exactly how to find and release all the knots and tension. I can't wait for my next massage. Thank you!
Pooja is an incredible massage therapist! I’ve received several massages from her and her touch is sublime—great deep tissue work when called upon but she has the skill to ease up when necessary as well. Her kind demeanor is also an incredible plus! A true 10/10 🙂
Why Healastic
A more thoughtful approach to massage therapy
Fully personalised
Treatment is built around your assessment on the day, not a fixed routine repeated every visit.
Hot stones included
Part of every massage treatment — warming the tissue means deeper work at lower pressure, and results that hold longer.
CMTO registered
Treatment by a Registered Massage Therapist, with receipts provided for insurance at every appointment.
Integrative care
A psychotherapy background means tension is assessed in context, not just as a mechanical problem.
Long-term wellness
The aim is lasting change and a plan you can follow, rather than temporary relief and a rebooking.
Your therapist
Treated by Pooja Rishal, RMT
I’m a Registered Massage Therapist with the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, trained at the International Academy of Massage here in Ottawa, and practising since 2020.
Before massage therapy I worked as a psychotherapist. That background still informs how I assess — persistent tension usually has more behind it than one tight muscle, and treating it without that context tends to buy relief that does not last.
Every treatment is provided by me personally. You will not be passed between therapists.
Where to find me
Massage therapy in Manotick, Ottawa
Healastic is at 5511 Manotick Main St #2B, Manotick, ON K4M 1A3, on Manotick Main Street in the heart of the village — a couple of minutes from Watson’s Mill and Dickinson Square, just off Bridge Street where it crosses the Rideau River onto Long Island. There is free parking on site.
Clients come from across Manotick, Barrhaven, Riverside South, Findlay Creek, Greely, Kars, Osgoode, Richmond and Kemptville, and travel in from Orleans and Kanata at either end of the city. Manotick is roughly 25 minutes from downtown Ottawa.
Get directions on Google Maps · (613) 908-5323 · Full contact details
How prenatal massage differs from a regular massage
The biggest difference is position. You will not lie face down, and I do not use tables with a cut-out for the abdomen — I find them far less comfortable and less stable than proper side-lying support. You will be positioned on your side with pillows supporting the top leg, the bump and the upper arm, and I will reposition you as needed during the session.
The second difference is technique. Pressure over the abdomen is avoided. Work around the low back, hips and pelvis is adapted, and I keep the overall approach moderate rather than deep, since the hormone relaxin makes ligaments more mobile through pregnancy and joints correspondingly less stable.
The third is pace. There is more checking in, more repositioning, and no assumption that what worked last month still works this month — because it frequently does not.
Benefits during pregnancy
Most clients come to me somewhere in the second or third trimester, when the physical load starts to tell.
- Relief from low back, hip and pelvic discomfort as posture and weight distribution change
- Easing of the neck and shoulder tension that comes with a shifting centre of gravity
- Help with leg heaviness, cramping and general fluid retention
- Better sleep — frequently the benefit clients mention first
- Time in a calm, quiet space, which matters more than it sounds
Massage during pregnancy is supportive care. It does not treat any pregnancy-related medical condition, and anything clinical belongs with your midwife, obstetrician or family doctor.
Safety, trimesters and when to be cautious
Prenatal massage is widely considered safe in an uncomplicated pregnancy when it is provided by a therapist trained to adapt for it. A few practical points:
- First trimester. Many clinics prefer to wait until 12 weeks, and I follow that convention. If you would like treatment earlier, please check with your care provider first.
- Second and third trimesters. Generally the most comfortable and most useful time for treatment, in side-lying position throughout.
- Always tell me about your due date, any complications, and anything your provider has advised.
Please speak to your care provider before booking if you have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, a history of preterm labour, placental concerns, unexplained bleeding, severe swelling, or a known blood clotting risk. If you develop any of these between appointments, let me know before your next session. If something does not feel right on the table, we stop.
What to expect in a session
Your first appointment starts with a fuller conversation than usual: how far along you are, how the pregnancy has been, where the discomfort sits, how you are sleeping, and what your provider has said. That assessment shapes the treatment.
You will be settled on your side with proper pillow support before we begin, and I will check the position is genuinely comfortable rather than merely tolerable. Your appointment is 60 minutes, including intake and assessment, with time to reposition as needed. Pressure stays moderate, and I check in throughout.
Afterwards, take it gently, drink water, and get up slowly — some people feel a little light-headed standing after side-lying work. You are welcome to bring your own pillow if there is one you sleep with. Receipts for insurance are provided at every appointment.
Pricing & duration
Prenatal — $130, a 60-minute session including intake and assessment where needed. Prices do not include HST, which is added at the time of payment.
Treatment is provided by a Registered Massage Therapist, and a receipt with my CMTO registration number is provided at every appointment for your insurer.
Direct billing is coming soon. Until it is live you pay at your appointment and claim the receipt straight back yourself — you are reimbursed exactly the same, so there is no reason to wait. Pricing & how insurance works.
Frequently asked questions
Is prenatal massage safe?
In an uncomplicated pregnancy, prenatal massage from a therapist trained to adapt for it is widely considered safe. Positioning, pressure and technique are all modified. If your pregnancy has any complications, check with your midwife, obstetrician or doctor before booking.
Which trimester can I start prenatal massage?
I treat from 12 weeks onward, which is the common convention. The second and third trimesters are usually when clients find it most useful. If you would like treatment in the first trimester, please clear it with your care provider first.
How will I be positioned during a prenatal massage?
On your side, with pillows supporting the top leg, the bump and the upper arm. You will not lie face down, and I do not use cut-out tables — proper side-lying support is more comfortable and more stable. I reposition you during the session as needed.
What are the benefits of prenatal massage?
Clients most often report relief from low back, hip and pelvic discomfort, easing of neck and shoulder tension, help with leg heaviness and fluid retention, and noticeably better sleep.
When should prenatal massage be avoided?
Speak to your care provider first if you have pre-eclampsia, high blood pressure, a history of preterm labour, placental concerns, unexplained bleeding, severe swelling or a clotting risk. Tell me about anything that changes between appointments.
Is prenatal massage covered by insurance?
Yes, where your plan covers massage therapy by a Registered Massage Therapist. I provide a receipt with my CMTO registration number after every appointment. Check your plan for annual limits.
Other treatments
More ways I can help
Lymphatic Drainage
Gentle, rhythmic work to encourage lymph flow — for swelling, post-surgical recovery and immune support.
Deep Tissue
Focused work into the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, warmed first with hot stones.
Relaxation & Hot Stone
Swedish and therapeutic technique with hot stones — for stress, sleep and general tension.
Buccal Facial
Intra-oral work on the jaw and facial muscles — for TMJ discomfort, clenching and facial tension.
Head & Scalp
Focused work on the scalp, face, neck and shoulders — for tension headaches and mental fatigue.
Book your appointment
Choose a time that suits you on the online calendar, or call if you would like to talk it through first.