Janicque Dixon-Hunter is a Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist, wife, and mother of three extraordinary little ladies. She is also a native of Newark, NJ and a current resident of Fayetteville, NC. Janicque is a graduate of Southeastern Institute in Columbia, SC, where she earned a Certificate of Completion in Neuromuscular Massage Therapy and obtained her license to massage in 2010. In honor of Black Breastfeeding Week, she shares her breastfeeding journey below.
In 2011 and 2015, I welcomed my first two daughters and breastfed them both with minor discomfort for 6 months. I was unaware at the time that there should be no discomfort while breastfeeding. More about that later…
After several years of working in the capacity of receptionist, administration, and manager in several salon and spa settings, I decided to obtain my license to massage in NC in 2021. After learning that I had obtained my license here in NC, an LMBT and former coworker introduced me to Infant Myofascial Release Therapy, with the purpose of helping to restore optimal oral function prior and post release of tethered oral tissue. I am eternally grateful to her for that introduction, as it has forever changed my life.
In 2022, I married my husband, began working with Sarah Lester at LATCH Breastfeeding & Postpartum Wellness Center and Dr. Molly Guy at Village Family Dental. I was also introduced to Aida Algarin, owner of Central Carolina Doulas. Working with these powerhouse women has afforded me a wealth of knowledge that served me well in the preparation of daughter number three at the end of 2022. Upon her arrival, I checked for 10 fingers, 10 toes, and tongue tie… She had it all! But this tie was different from the previous two. This one tore me up so badly that after 12-24 hours I was no longer able to try to latch her. I was told three times by three different professionals that no tie was present. It wasn’t until I told them of my knowledge on the subject that they confirmed what I already knew to be true. I immediately got to work performing her Myofascial Therapy and scheduled my Lactation appointment with Madison Mawson at Latch.
But what is Myofascial Release?
In infants, it is the gentle stretching, compression and manipulation of the fascia with focus on releasing muscle shortness and tension to allow them to move and glide more freely alongside other structures.
Myofascial Release can assist in treating tongue tie issues, digestive issues, reflux, sleeping difficulty, pelvic imbalances, torticollis, neurological, movement, positioning, and latching difficulties, etc.
I’ve seen the benefits of this therapy in my child and so many others. With her frenectomy and continued bodywork, we are 8 months into Pain Free Breastfeeding! The longest I’ve ever breastfed and with no end in sight! Working within this network of intelligent and passionate women has truly enriched my life. Also, working with a community of individuals that need this therapy and have truly benefitted from it, my love for massage has been renewed.
