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Abdominal Massage
Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage
Mayan Massage is a non-invasive way to gently reposition internal organs and improve blood flow and lymph drainage. Arvigo Maya Abdominal Massage, which you will learn here, was developed by Dr. Rosita Arvigo. It can be used for a wide range of disorders that involve congestion in the abdomen and pelvic cavity. It is best known for its ability to treat prolapsed, fallen or tilted uterus and the relief for digestive disorders. It also can be very useful for improving or restoring fertility.
This routine can be a great way to add in some self-care and night routine to help unwind your busy day. Also it might be worth searching for a qualified Maya Abdominal Massage practitioner in your local area. They might provide some additional information, instruction or a lovely treatment for yourself.
Phase 1 (Menstruation)
This sacral self-massage can help you ease menstrual cramps. According to the Mayan massage tradition, this technique improves enervation of the reproductive organs. Chinese medicine considers it a way to move qi (energy) and blood.
- Feel for your sacrum, the triangular bone at the base of your spine, between your hips. Make sure you find the sacrum and not the tailbone, which is smaller and beneath the sacrum.
- Make loose fits with your hands and bounce them directly on the sacrum. Use the same force you would for clapping. Use a rhythmic motion, one to two seconds apart, allowing the impact of each bounce to spread before the next one hits, like ripples in a pond.
- Continue for at least one to two minutes.
- This should always feel good. If you experience any discomfort or pain, make the impact lighter until you are comfortable. If yo need to, pause, breathe, and begin again more gently. If it still doesn’t feel good, try again in a day or so.
Phase 2 Pre-Ovulation
This massage supports follicle development and a healthy uterine lining and can help keep Fallopian tubes open. Ou can begin using the technique every day as soon as your period ends, stopping two days before you expect to ovulate. After ovulation, stop any massage of the pelvis and sacrum until you know for sure that you are not pregnant. Wear loose clothing, trim your fingernails, and make sure your bladder is empty before you begin.
- Lie on your back with a pillow under your knees.
- Place your hands on your pelvis and breathe deeply for a few minutes until you feel relaxed.
- Find your uterus. The funds (the top of your uterus) should be in the middle of your pelvis, below your navel and about one and a half inches above your public bone. It may feel like the tip of your nose or a balloon filled with water. You may also sense a slight internal tugging. (If you don’t feel anything yet, don’t worry – you will. The more you do the massage, the more easily you will discover what is under your hands.)
- Should anything feel uncomfortable, stop, breathe, and decrease your pressure.
- Place both hands on your pubic bone, with your thumbs cooked one over the other and your fingers close together, slightly bent and relaxed. You’ll be creating a kind of scoop.
- Take a deep breath; visualize the breath coming into your pelvic area. As you exhale, sink the pads (not the tips) of your fingers as deeply as you comfortably can not the soft flesh. Without lifting your hands, continue with light but firm pressure, gently massaging, lifting up toward the navel two to three inches.
- Repeat the movement from the pubic bone toward the navel ten times.
- Now massage each side of the uterus. Bring your “scooped” hands slightly over to the right side of the pelvis. Maintain contact with the pubic bone with tow or three fingers., placing the other fingers just inside the hip bone. Using the same technique as above, move your hands diagonally toward your navel. Repeat ten times.
- Do ten strokes on the left side as well.
- If your uterus is not entered in your abdomen (an inch and a half above the pubic bone, with equal space on the right and left side), increase the massage strokes over the parts closest to the uterus. For example, if you find your uterus to be more on the right side of the pelvis, do ten extra strokes on that side.
- This should be a gentle and nurturing experience. If you begin to have discomfort, stop massaging, breathe, and begin again more gently. If it still doesn’t feel good, try again in a day or so.
Phase 3 Ovulation
This massage for the ovaries improves circulation to them, which supports smooth hormonal transitions and healthy ovulation. It is meant to be sued for two or three days before ovulation. Start approximately four days before you ovulate and stop one or two days later. In other words, perform it after you’re done with the uterine massage for phase 2. If you are trying to conceive, after ovulation, stop any massage of the pelvis and sacrum until you know for sure you are not pregnant.
- Bring both hands to your pubic bone and spread out your pinkie fingers. The spread of your hands will cover roughly the space your ovaries occupy. You may even be able to feel them – sometimes they feel like grains of rice under your fingers. If you don’t feel them, that’s fine too.
- Whether or not your feel your ovaries, hold the intention of placing your hands on top of them in your mind. Focus your thoughts on helping the ovaries receive optimal health.
- As shown in the illustration, massage the general area of the ovaries lightly, in small circles, using the pads of three or four fingers and gentle pressure as you would to stroke a baby.
- Massage for ten seconds, then rest for one second. Repeat for one to two minutes.
- This should be a gentle and nurturing experience. If you begin to experience any discomfort, pause, breathe, and try again with a bit less pressure. If it is still uncomfortable, try again in a day or so.
Phase 4 – Potential Implantation
This “warms hands” massage is for use after ovulation, when you don’t want to be doing active massage of the pelvis or sacrum. This is a time for more stillness, nurturing, and grounding, and this technique supports implantation by calming the nervous system, creating better circulation, and warming the uterus. You can also use it during any phase to promote relaxation and entering.
- Lie on your back with a pillow under your knees.
- Place your hands directly over your pelvis/lower abdomen.
- Take slow, deep breaths. Imagine the breath moving into and through your hands. Feel your hands move as your breath moves your body.
- Continue for five minutes.
*The massage technique for phase 2 is from Dr. Arvigo, while the other three were developed by Nicole Kruck, LMT, certified Arvigo practitioner and self-care instructor. Images from Making Babies by Jill Blakeway