Mayan Abdominal Massage

Mayan Abdominal Massage is founded on the ancient Mayan technique of abdominal massage which is an external non invasive manipulation that repositions internal organs that have shifted, thereby restricting the flow of blood, lymph, nerves and chi. The work is best known for the correction of the prolapsed, fallen, or tilted uterus.

This technique was brought to the United States by Dr. Rosita Arvigo. Dr. Arvigo learned these techniques from her mentor, Don Elijio Panti, a Mayan Medicine Man in Belize, Central America with whom she apprenticed for ten years. Don Elijio believed that a woman's center is her uterus. "If a woman's uterus is out of balance, so is she," he would say. Midwives and healers of Central America agree that most female troubles are caused by the wandering womb. Don Elijio passed away in 1996 at the age of 103. Rosita also studied with Hortence Robinson, a 73 year old herbal midwife of Belize who has been delivering babies since she was 13. Dr. Arvigo incorporated her background in Napropathy and Herbology to further enhance the modality.

Mayan Abdominal Massage incorporates a holistic approach to health care which includes massage, anatomy and physiology, herbology, and nutrition, while also addressing the emotional and spiritual components. Dr. Arvigo believes that with any natural healing technique, these areas must be simultaneously addressed to promote optimal health.

Benefits for Men

Men benefit greatly from Maya Abdominal Massage techniques as well. By ensuring a full blood supply to the prostate, the abdominal massage helps to prevent swelling and inflammation. Men report that they can feel a distinct difference in blood flow after a treatment. Not only does the massage relieve prostate swelling, but it helps alleviate varicose veins, premature ejaculation, low sperm count, motility and morphology issues, as well as some impotency problems and the need to urinate frequently.

Benefits for Women

Normally the uterus leans slightly over the bladder in the center of the pelvis, about one and a half inches above the pubic bone. It is held in this position by muscles, the vaginal wall and ligaments that attach it to the back, front, and sides of the pelvis. Uterine ligaments are made to stretch to accommodate a growing fetus inside and to move freely when the bladder or bowel is full. The ligaments and muscles can weaken and loosen, causing the uterus to fall downward, forward, backward or to either side.

A uterus in any of these positions is called tilted or prolapsed. Modern medicine has little or nothing to offer women with this problem. Options may include using the birth control pill, muscle relaxants, or surgery and women are generally told, "your uterus is tipped, but that is normal and don't worry about it." Yet women have a laundry list of physical and emotional symptoms that can be addressed and prevented with these simple, noninvasive massage techniques. When reproductive organs shift, they can constrict normal flow of blood and lymph, and disrupt nerve connections. Just a few extra ounces sitting on blood and lymph vessels can cause havoc throughout the different systems in the body. By shifting the uterus back into place, homeostasis, or the natural balance of the body, is restored in the pelvic area and the surrounding organs. Toxins are flushed and nutrients that help to tone tissue and balance hormones are restored to normal order. This is essential for healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery.

Old adhesions from invasive treatments to the pelvic and abdominal area, including fibroid tumors, endometriosis, and cesarean delivery are diminished when addressed by uterine massage. Fertility issues such as difficulty conceiving, frequent miscarriages, thin uterine linings, anovulation, blocked fallopian tubes, amenorrhoea, fibroids, cysts, polyps, and scar tissue can all be addressed with Mayan Abdominal Massage. Digestion, urinary and bladder problems can also be helped.

Uterine Displacement Symptoms

This list contains the most common symptoms that are improved by incorporating this holistic modality into ones health care:

  • Displaced or prolapsed uterus and or bladder
  • Painful periods and ovulation
  • Irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation
  • Bladder or yeast infections
  • Miscarriages, difficult pregnancies
  • Endometriosis
  • Peri menopause, menopausal symptoms
  • Infertility
  • PMS/Depression with menstruation
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Uterine fibroids
  • Abnormal uterine bleeding
  • Enhances Pregnancy, aids in labor and delivery
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Digestive Disorders
  • Low energy
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Gastro Esophogeal Reflux (GERD)
  • Crohn's Disease
  • Chronic constipation
  • Low Back ache
  • Chronic indigestion or heartburn
  • Gastritis
  • Restricted breathing due to tension

What could cause a displaced uterus?

  • Injury to the sacrum or tailbone from a fall, car accidents, etc
  • Pelvic ligaments that have weakened due to overstretching during pregnancy and birth
  • High Impact exercise, running on cement surfaces, high impact aerobics, etc
  • Lifting & carrying heavy objects before or during menstruation and too soon after childbirth
  • Time and gravity
  • Past surgeries
  • Weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Chronic muscle spasm around the low back and sacrum
  • Emotional armoring from abuse at anytime in life

How quickly should I expect a change?

Depending on the severity of the problem, it may take as little as one session and as long as many months for the uterine position to be corrected and for the ligaments to gain enough strength and elasticity for it to stay in place. 3 sessions are usually the minimum.

Women often report a rapid improvement in symptoms and sense of wellbeing when self-care is performed regularly.

Contraindications

Maya Abdominal Massage is not recommended under certain conditions. Please consult with your practitioner if you have any questions.

  • During active menstruation
  • IUD (intra-uterine device for contraception) is present
  • Immediately after abdominal surgery
  • Active infection present in pelvic area, or while undergoing active treatment of chemotherapy
  • During the first 19 weeks of pregnancy
  • Hiatal Hernia (gentle massage required)