What is Maya Abdominal Massage Therapy?
For centuries, the Maya Civilisation of Central America have effectively treated reproductive and digestive ailments with a combination of abdominal massage, realignment techniques, herbal preparations and prayer.
How Does Maya Abdominal Massage Therapy Work?
Maya Abdominal/Womb Massage is a non-invasive, external massage that repositions internal organs that have shifted and restricted the flow of blood, lymph, nerve impulses and chi. This work effectively relieves digestive problems, prevents and treats benign prostate enlargement in men, and is best known for treating women’s reproductive health issues by correcting a prolapsed, fallen, or tilted uterus.
Throughout the course of a woman's life, the uterus can shift out of its normal anatomical position, which is behind 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, which all have the elasticity to accommodate a growing fetus and to move freely when the bladder or bowel is full. These ligaments and muscles can weaken, causing the uterus to fall down, forward, backward or to either side. Some causes for this include injury to the sacrum or tailbone, pregnancy and birth, high impact exercise such as running on hard surfaces, pelvic surgeries, weak pelvic floor muscles, and just plain old gravity!
In Western medicine, a “tipped” or prolapsed uterus is considered normal, and pharmaceuticals or surgery are prescribed for reproductive health problems, which in reality try to eliminate symptoms without addressing the source. If a woman’s uterus is out of alignment, blood, lymph and energy flow is restricted throughout the pelvis, nerve pathways are compressed, and surrounding ligaments, fascia and muscles are overstretched and/or hypertonic. This blocked and congested environment is the origin of a huge range of female health complaints, from painful menstruation to infertility. Midwives and healers of Central America agree that most female troubles are caused by the “wandering womb.” They believe that a woman’s uterus is the spiritual centre of her being, and if it is out of balance, she will be physically, emotionally and spiritually out of balance.
For Men
Men benefit greatly from Maya Massage techniques as well. The prostate is a glandular organ that also rests behind the bladder but has no ligaments for support. The prostate gland and surrounding tissues can become congested, eventually resulting in early stages of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH), impotence (depending on the cause), and decreased sperm count. By facilitating clear, unimpeded circulation and lymphatic drainage throughout the abdomen and pelvis, the massage can prevent and decrease swelling and inflammation of the prostate.
For Digestive Issues
Maya Abdominal Massage also addresses digestive problems by working with stress and emotions held in the belly and releasing constricted musculature. Our overall health depends on the harmony of our organ systems. When we bring our organs back into balance, homeostasis is restored in the entire body. We are then able to flush toxins regularly, synthesize our natural balance of hormones, transport and absorb nutrients, and our body returns to its inherent ability to self heal.Increasing Fertility
Maya Abdominal Therapy has been effective for increasing fertility in many women who have been unable to conceive. By helping the uterus return to its optimal position, the body can then clear acidity and toxicity stored in the uterus, support a healthy uterine lining, and normalize hormone levels to support fertility and sustain a healthy pregnancy. This work also helps to clear emotional trauma that is often a factor in reproductive health problems. The use of Maya Abdominal Massage for fertility enhancement is also safely used to enhance effectiveness of Assisted Reproductive Technologies. Fertility may be additionally increased with Maya Abdominal Therapy for the partner, in order to increase sperm count and motility.Self Care
A vital component of this tradition is teaching skills that you, the client, can utilize on your own to support your reproductive and overall health. Self Care massage techniques done regularly at home greatly enhance the work done with a practitioner by continuing to assist full circulation and lymphatic flow, relax tight ligaments and muscles and tone weak ones.
Treatable Conditions with Maya massage therapy
- Digestive problems and constipation
- Gastroesophageal Reflux (GORD)
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Crohn’s Disease
- Old adhesions and scar tissue from pelvic and abdominal surgeries are diminished
- Varicose veins
- Sciatica, low back and sacrum pain
- Frequent urination and incontinence
- Urinary tract and bladder infection
- Tired legs, numb feet, and sore heels
For Women:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Painful or irregular menses
- PMS
- Dark, thick blood and clots in menses
- Amenorrhea (no menstruation at all)
- Headaches or dizziness with menses
- Endometriosis/Endometritis
- Uterine polyps and fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Prolapsed uterus or bladder
- Painful or irregular ovulation
- Vaginitis, yeast and uterine infections
- Painful intercourse
- Infertility/ difficulty conceiving and carrying to term
- Physical discomfort during pregnancy
- Premature deliveries, weak newborn infants
- Reduced ligament elasticity after childbirth
- Facilitates healing of scar tissue from termination, Cesarean, or hysterectomy
- Difficult menopause
For Men:
- Prostate swelling and inflammation
- Low sperm count or motility
- Premature ejaculation
- Impotency issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What could cause a displaced uterus?
- High impact exercise or running on cement surfaces
- Injury to the sacrum or tailbone from a fall, car accident, etc.
- Pelvic ligaments that have weakened due to over-stretching during pregnancy and birth
- Lifting and carrying heavy objects before or during menstruation, or too soon after childbirth
- Time and gravity
- Abdominal and pelvic surgeries
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Chronic muscle spasm around the low back and sacrum
- Emotional armoring from trauma or abuse at any time in life
How quickly can a client expect a change?
This varies from person to person. It may take as little as one session or as long as several months for the uterus to be brought into alignment and for the ligaments to gain enough strength and elasticity to support the new centered position. Three to four sessions are the average. Women often report a rapid improvement in symptoms and sense of well-being when self-care is performed regularly.
Is uterine massage recommended for all women?
Almost every woman can benefit greatly from Maya Abdominal Massage. The lower abdominal portion of the massage is not appropriate as indicated below:
- During menstrual bleeding (light work possible, omitting lower abdomen)
- Within the first 6 weeks following a normal vaginal delivery or the first 3 months after a c-section,
- For a woman using an IUD for birth control (IUDs have to be removed)
- If cancer is present or suspected anywhere in the pelvis, or the client is undergoing chemotherapy for this condition
- During the first trimester of pregnancy
- In the case of hiatal hernia (gentle, superficial massage OK).
How can uterine massage help a women who has had a hysterectomy?
Women who have had hysterectomies also benefit greatly from Maya Abdominal Massage. The techniques improve circulation in and around scars and assists proper flow of lymph, which often becomes blocked after surgery and results in swelling, burning, and deep aching pain in the pelvis. By utilizing uterine massage techniques on a regular basis, scar tissue can be prevented from forming in the pelvis after surgery. Ligaments and other remaining organs also benefit from improving circulatory flow to the pelvis.
How does the abdominal massage help with digestion?
Poor diet and emotional armoring are the two most common causes of digestive troubles. Stress and emotions held in the organs cause the small intestine and colon to become tense, twisted or kinked, creating blockage that inhibits digestion and elimination. Surrounding fascia can tighten into adhesions that pull organs out of optimal position, and impede blood flow and enzyme secretions. Sometimes initially felt as "butterflies in your stomach", emotional holding in the belly can lead to constipation, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, and may be a significant contribution to more serious conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastroesophageal Reflux (GORD), and Crohn's Disease.
Maya Abdominal Therapy works to break down facial adhesions, scar tissue and open blockage in the digestive tract, often releasing stored emotions in the process of physically unwinding the abdomen. Usually there is a dramatic improvement in digestion after just one session when combined with proper diet and self-care.
What is "self-care" and why does it help?
During a first or second treatment session, each client is instructed in performing simple abdominal massage on themselves. By practicing self care massage daily for 5-20 minutes, individuals are able to improve their symptoms and greatly enhance the work done with their practitioner by continuing to facilitate unimpeded circulation and lymphatic movement through the abdomen and pelvis.
Make an appointment for Maya Abdominal Massage
Mafalda Bojanic is our Maya Abdominal Massage Therapist. To find out if you can benefit from this gentle and effective treatment please phone the friendly team at Vitalchi on (03) 9894-0014. Or you can send us an email, or Book an appointment online. Our clinic in Blackburn, Melbourne, is open six days a week.
