Mayan Abdominal Therapy
Mayan Abdominal Therapy is an external application of gentle, precise massage techniques to the abdomen, low back, hips, and sacrum. It optimizes the position of the abdominal and pelvic organs, with benefits to the digestive, reproductive, and nervous systems in particular. This work improves organ function by restoring blood flow, moving lymph, and supporting nerve conduction and energy flow throughout the body. In releasing physical and emotional congestion from the abdomen, this deeply relaxing and meditative work invites healing on multiple levels. Mayan Abdominal Therapy is abdominal therapy as taught by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, DN, though it remains rooted in a rich lineage of traditional Central American healers.
Who can benefit from Mayan Abdominal Therapy?
Individuals with the following conditions or health challenges can all benefit from Mayan Abdominal Therapy:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Painful periods
- Heavy periods
- Anovulatory cycles
- Uterine fibroids
- Endometriosis
- Adenomyosis
- PCOS/ovarian cysts
- Tilted or prolapsed uterus
- PMS: including cramps, bloating, backache
- Perimenopause
- Fertility challenges
- Supportive care for ART
- Support during pregnancy
- Postpartum care
- Chronic constipation
- Gas/bloating
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Intestinal spasming
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- SIBO
- Chronic low back pain
- Restricted breathing due to tension
- Anxiety
- Varicose veins
- Post-surgical recovery
- Post-surgical adhesions/scar tissue
Mayan Abdominal Therapy cannot be performed in the following circumstances:
- Less than 6 weeks out postpartum
- Less than 6 weeks out from any abdominal or pelvic surgery
- An active infection anywhere in the body
- Cancer present in the abdomen or pelvis
Mayan Abdominal Therapy must be modified in the following circumstances:
- During active menstruation
- During the 1st trimester of pregnancy
- An IUD (intrauterine device) is present
- Diastasis recti (a separation of the abdominal muscles and fascia)
- When a pessary is in place (for pelvic organ prolapse)
When you arrive, your first appointment will begin with a detailed health history. We’ll review your intake form, discuss your treatment goals, and how we will integrate this work as part of your care plan. Then, we move to the treatment table.
I will leave you to undress to your comfort level. In addition to standard massage draping, you will have a separate chest/breast drape to maintain modesty while accessing your abdomen. The area of treatment extends from the bottom of the ribcage to the top of the pubic bone, as well as the low back, sacrum, glutes and tailbone. All applications of techniques are external. I often incorporate additional visceral manipulation techniques and craniosacral therapy into sessions, as this enhances the benefits clients experience.
It’s not just about mobilizing muscles, ligaments and fascia – this work incorporates breathing exercises, meditation/visualization, and energy work too, making it a holistic treatment that addresses body, mind, and spirit.
After your treatment, you will be taught a simplified self-massage routine to perform regularly at home. Additional recommendations may be made based on your individual situation, and can include herbal medicine, dietary adjustments, or specific home care practices. Regular self-care enhances the work of professional treatments and yields additive benefits.
When scheduling your appointment, if applicable, please keep your menstrual cycle in mind. Ideally, this work is not done during active menstruation as it would otherwise require modifications that leave out certain techniques and shorten your treatment time.
Likewise, if you are actively trying to conceive or are undergoing fertility treatments (medications, IUI, IVF, and other forms of assisted reproductive technology), please mention this when requesting your appointment, as it will impact when your treatments are scheduled.
Fertility and Preconception:
If you’ve had difficulty getting or staying pregnant and “tried everything”, Mayan Abdominal Therapy could be the missing piece in your fertility journey. Womb health is supported by receiving this work prior to conception. Relieving stagnant pelvic circulation and encouraging organ alignment inevitably supports period health. This can balance and restore menstrual cycles, as well as build more optimal health for conceiving and maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Pregnancy Support:
Mayan Abdominal Therapy offers many benefits during pregnancy, including improving comfort and optimizing the body in preparation for labor and delivery.
- Relieving pain and discomforts of pregnancy, including low back pain, nausea, heartburn, sciatica, tension and anxiety.
- Improving digestion to enhance absorption of nutrients and elimination of wastes.
- Improving blood flow to baby and the pelvic floor muscles.
- Increased nerve conduction through the sacrum, affecting uterus and cervix.
- Improved alignment of pelvic bones.
- Improved potential for sacrum to flex/mobilize appropriately during labor.
- Support of uterine ligaments, helping protect from exaggerated stretching.
Postpartum Support:
Mayan Abdominal Therapy supports the postpartum period, providing multi-dimensional healing during a time that’s typically busy and overwhelming, with little focus on a parent’s recovery. This work supports uterine involution, encouraging an efficient return of the uterus to its pre-pregnancy size. It improves healing for diastasis recti, if present. It can reduce and encourage healing of scar tissue from a cesarean birth, and provide spiritual healing for traumatic births, surgical or otherwise.
Dr. Ries with Dr. Rosita Arvigo at the Arvigo Institute’s training for Supporting Pregnancy: Preconception through Postpartum, 2016”