The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® (ATMAT) is a respected and effective form of abdominal massage. Its origins are based in traditional Maya bodywork and healing methods combined with modern-day scientific approaches. ATMAT is also known as “fertility massage,” “womb massage,” or simply “abdominal massage therapy.
ATMAT helps to relieve a wide variety of reproductive complaints. It corrects pelvic and abdominal misalignment, frees up pelvic congestion and organ constriction, and improves the flow of blood, lymph, and energy to the pelvis and abdomen. It can gently reposition the uterus, ovarian, fallopian tubes, and other organs that may have shifted out of place for whatever reason, thus creating “stagnation” and “stasis” which are the result of restricted flow of blood, lymph, nerve, and Qi.
This type of massage, in addition to acupuncture, helps to improve blood flow and circulation to your reproductive and digestive organs. Men, however, can also benefit from this type of therapy, even without a uterus, because they have a prostate and other interior reproductive ducts and tissues, which are located all in the same general area. Abdominal massage can help improve male fertility challenges, as well, whether the gentleman has a sup-optimal sperm analysis or just wants to enhance fertility and optimize sperm quality and quantity.
Female Urinary, Uterine, and Reproductive Health
Unfortunately, many women in our society suffer from some sort of reproductive dis-ease, be it dysmenorrhea (painful periods) or premenstrual syndrome, unexplained infertility or endometriosis…the list goes on. While many women seek help for these ailments from their gynecologists, Western medicine offers a limited range of options, such as hormonal treatments (including birth control pills) and surgeries. These treatments are for the most part, fairly invasive and often only address the symptoms of the issue, and not the root cause.
While a diagnosis of any reproductive dis-ease can seem quite dire, The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® have proven effective at relieving a whole host of them. By increasing the vital healing flows (blood, lymph, nerve, energy) to reproductive organs, assuring that they are properly positioned, and ridding the pelvis and abdomen of any adhesions, we are able to effectively relieve many common reproductive and urinary ailments, including but not limited to:
- Tilted/ displaced uterus
- PMS
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibroids
- Post-Surgical Recovery, Reducing Scarring/ Adhesions within the abdominal and pelvic cavities
- Infertility (either unexplained, or having to do with another reproductive pathology)
- Assisting to prepare the body for ART treatments, and increase effectiveness of those treatments
- Uterine or bladder prolapse
- Irregular menstruation
- Recurrent miscarriage/ high-risk pregnancies
- Recurrent bladder, urinary tract, and yeast infections
- Caesarian section recovery and general postpartum recovery
- Generalized/ nonspecific Pelvic Pain
Digestive Health
Digestive health is the foundation upon which our bodies operate. Not only is digestion a function of our physical bodies, but is also deeply intertwined with our emotions. The phrase “My stomach was in knots,” while certainly metaphorical, actually describes a real phenomenon of tightening within our abdominal cavity that happens when we are under stress. If one is constantly stressed, depressed, and anxious, these “gut feelings” that we get can turn into real adhesions and blockages that prevent good digestion and proper blood flow to the area. Similarly, when we have a lot of inflammation in the gut, whether from inflammatory foods, injuries, or illness, we get a similar phenomenon of blockage and adhesion within our digestive tract.
Abdominal massage is able to break up those little adhesions that form and free the gut from any blockages that may be present, whether emotional, physical, or both. Better blood flow brings more nutrients to the area, and helps move along digestive processes. Many people with digestive disorders such as those listed below have found relief through The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®.
- Crohn’s disease
- GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disorder)
- Constipation
- Gastritis
- IBS
- Heartburn/ indigestion
History of the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® was founded by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, DN, a naprapathic physician and master herbalist. She has lived in Belize and studied with traditional healers for more than 30 years. The most formative relationship leading to the creation of ATMAT was her apprenticeship with the renowned Maya shaman Don Elijio Panti, from whom she learned much about traditional herbalism and bodywork techniques. She also studied with Miss Hortense Robinson, a well-known midwife in Belize. Combining her knowledge of Western approaches to anatomy, physiology, and naprapathy with traditional healing methods learned from Belizean healers, she formulated what is now known as the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy®.
Ix Chel, the Mayan goddess of women and fertility
Session Infortmation
Initial Sessions usually last between 1.5 to 2 hours. Follow up Sessions will last between 1 to 1.5 hours, depending upon the needs of the client.
Please click here for more information on what to expect during your first Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® session.
