michelle mccoy atencio CD, CIMI, LMP
"Behold, Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is His reward." Psalm 127:3
My practice was birthed out of the delivery of my first son back in 1991. Being a young mother without a clue that I had options during my pregnancy and birth, I was a victim of the obstetric world. Out of that painful, traumatic birth came a passion for supporting and educating pregnant and laboring women. I knew there had to be a better way to birth a baby than what I had experienced. I have always been a strong believer in the holistic approach to health and healing, so I was on a mission to make a difference and so my educational journey began. Human Biology is my educational major but I prefer to think of myself as a "Nutraceutical Nerd"-healing plants, herbs, foods and natural medicine.
While in 29 Palms California I served as a Clinical Assistant to an OB/GYN Physician at the Naval Hospital, earning Red Cross Volunteer of the Quarter. I went on to pursue women's health and study birth and I attended Seattle Midwifery School and became a Certified Doula in 1993. From there, my fire was ignited to seek further education and obtained my certification in Childbirth Education and Lactation Education. The local WIC office in my hometown asked me to serve as a Lactation Advocate and Educator for their clients and I did so for about 2 years. Over the course of the years I probably have served women in over 100 births both in hospital and out of hospital. Much of my Labor Support was with single mothers, teen mothers and military moms, serving as the Primary Support person.
I graduated with Honors from Seattle Massage School in 1998 and throughout my schooling I attended several speciality workshops and became certified and trained in Infant Massage, Yoga and Massage for Special Needs Children, Spa Therapies, Pregnancy Massage, Craniosacral Therapy and Neurodevelopmental Movement and Rhythmic Movement. I studied at the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami Florida 3 different times and trained with Dr. Tiffany Fields Ph.D and her team for massage research and massage for Premature Infants.
For the past 14 years I have worked in private practice serving as a Family Massage Practitioner networking with many local Doctors, Chiropractors, Midwives, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Teachers, Doulas, and Massage Practitioners. I taught Massage Therapy, Kinesiology and Anatomy and Physiology at 2 local massage schools for 7 years. I am the author of a continuing education workshop called Baby Bodywork (hence the name of this site) ignited by love for children and education. I also enjoy volunteering at Alternative High Schools to speak to Teen Parenting Groups about the importance of childbirth education, labor support and infant massage.
I have been studying midwifery on and off for the last 10 years and look forward to the day I can expand my practice to include midwifery care. I have 4 children ages 20, 10 and twin 6 year olds. My oldest son is in the United States Airforce and am just so proud of him. I have a very gifted athlete in my 10 year old son as well as a lovely gifted musical lover in my 6 year old daughter. Her twin brother is an amazing artist and I feel so blessed to have these 4 children in my life. They are my wonderful teachers and I am blessed to be their momma.
I have an intuitive, client centered, whole body approach to massage and bodywork. It is my belief that we are self healing with every part serving a vital purpose to our health and well being. The body is more than just skin, muscles, organs and bones. Every effort is made to support and include the person as a whole, including the emotional, physical and spiritual beings. I believe we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God having a unique and powerful purpose designed as individuals to love and serve one another. This work is my passion and my joy, it's an honor to serve women, children and their families.
This site and this work is dedicated to my children Jacob, Connor, Grace and Caleb. Much love, respect and appreciation to my husband Matt for your unconditional love and support to me both personally and professionally. I love you all.
"Because the midwives feared God He gave them families." Exodus 1:21
