Maya Abdominal Therapy: Improving Womb Health Naturally
Fertility massage, womb massage, sobada de matriz — no matter how you call it, Maya Abdominal Therapy can be a life-changing experience.
The Mayans believe the abdomen is central to healing. They believe this is where many human emotions are stored, and therefore represents a place of power.
Your internal organs are the foundation of health.
Also, the abdominal muscles link the upper and lower halves of the body, affecting everything from how we breathe to how we stand and move. When the abdomen can’t properly support and align the body, the paths of energy, nutrients, and communication become blocked and the body is no longer able to function properly.
Women who struggle with fertility or related women’s health issues may prefer the natural alternative of massage, herbs, and Yoni steam baths. Here’s what you need to know about Maya abdominal therapy and how it can improve your fertility and overall health.
What is Maya Abdominal Therapy?
A traditional and natural therapy, Maya abdominal therapy is a gentle massage technique that focuses on the abdominal muscles, connective tissues, and internal organs. Also called a fertility massage, womb massage, or sobada de matriz, this technique helps to guide organs back into the proper places. When the body and internal organs are in complete alignment, congestion and blockages are reduced so that energy, communication, and nutrients can flow freely and waste can be properly removed.
When we perform our Maya abdominal therapy, we focus on both sides of the body, targeting the stomach, womb, and lower back areas. Specifically, we aim to align the uterus. This is the very place where all life begins. It is the center of a woman’s body, and when it is out of balance, so is the rest of your body.
By using gentle manipulations to restore balance to your abdomen, Maya abdominal therapy improves the body’s ability to heal itself by ensuring the center of your body is in an optimal state of health.
Sobada de Matriz:
Sobadas are culturally rooted in Mexican Indigenous healing practices. Sobada means bodywork in Spanish. After over 15 years of practicing sobadas de matriz, I have learned that this practice of massaging the internal organs (including the uterus) is very much rooted in many pre-colonized indigenous cultures from around the world. Most my abdominal massage clients are Mexican Americans, African immigrants, Filipino women, and many women from the Middle East as well.
This is a very ancient way of healing, preventative medicine, and self-care.
This demographic of clients often say "mi Abuela told me to get a sobada de matriz" or "this is the way we care for our uterus back in my home country".
Sobada styles and techniques will vary depending on the region it is practiced in, but one thing that is very similar I have noticed is the practice of massaging the uterus will never be done during your period, you should always keep warm afterward (and in daily life) including feet, butt, and low back. A faja should be worn after. The sobada de matriz is done if one is experiencing any uterine issues. It's done to improve fertility and is always done postpartum. Drinking a strong ginger tea after a deep sobada is also a practice I was taught. The ginger tea helps gently cleanse the intestines, increase circulation and warm the womb.
What Does a Womb Massage Do?
Womb massage is a common alternative treatment for women who are struggling with fertility. They may be considering IVF treatments or are already undergoing IVF to conceive, womb massage is a great treatment that complements IVF or IUIs. Through Maya abdominal massage, the uterus is restored to its intended position and the body’s communication channels become open and able to function properly, which may enhance fertility.
Bit by bit, day by day, negative emotions, waste material, pollution, and toxins settle and accumulate in the organs. As knots form, circulation, nerve communication, and energy flow are blocked. Abdominal massage (sobada de matriz) helps untangle knots, release trapped energy/emotions, detoxify and increase blood flow to the organs.
Your internal organs, including your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, have a self-healing ability, as does the rest of the body.
When blood, lymph, nerve communication, and energy are able to flow powerfully and abundantly, internal organs heal and balance themselves.
Or, if you aren’t struggling with conception, you may find that a womb massage improves other areas of your health. Common symptoms relieved by a Maya abdominal treatment include:
● A more regular menstrual cycle
● A pain-free menstrual cycle
● Reduced or eliminated pain during sex
● Natural detoxification of the body
● Reduced stress
● Improvements to a tipped or prolapsed uterus
● Relief from endometriosis, PMS, perimenopause, and menopause
● Improved digestion
● Constipation relief
● A stronger pelvic floor
● Less pain from ovarian cysts or fibroids
● Fewer bladder or yeast infections
All of the above conditions stem from your reproductive health. When your reproductive system, specifically your uterus, is out of balance, it can manifest in a variety of conditions.
Womb massage aims to restore balance to this important area of the body. What’s more, it also serves to release built-up tension, stress, and negative energy stored here. When we experience negative emotions, such as fear, jealousy, or resentment, those feelings have a direct effect on the abdomen. They cause the muscles around abdominal organs to tighten, which is why we often feel other symptoms associated with a bad mood.
Unfortunately, this tightening also creates knots in your abdomen, blocking the flow of blood, which restricts the amount of oxygen and nutrients this area of the body receives. By releasing the tension stored here, we can ensure your abdominal organs receive the love and care they deserve, helping to restore health and balance.
Is a Misaligned Uterus a Big Deal?
Some women are born with a tipped or misaligned uterus. Others will undergo a shift at some point in their lives, either due to pregnancy or a traumatic event, such as a car accident or a fall. Some women know they have a tipped uterus after having been informed by their doctor, while others will have no idea their uterus is misaligned.
Regardless, it’s something that warrants treatment. Many doctors say that a misaligned uterus is not a threat to your health, and they’re right in that it’s not life-threatening. But it can reduce your quality of life by causing a range of symptoms and side effects.
A tipped uterus can create stagnation of blood and lymphatic flow. When in the proper position, the uterus receives the optimum amount of healing and detoxifying circulation. Our Maya abdominal treatment focuses on guiding the entire abdomen back into its rightful position so you can keep life moving forward.
What to Expect with Maya Abdominal Therapy
Unlike a regular massage, we treat Maya abdominal therapy as part of your healthcare. Similar to visiting with your physician, your practitioner may recommend a consultation prior to beginning any bodywork. This is an opportunity to learn more about your health history and develop a self-care plan that’s tailored to your needs.
During the treatment, we work on both sides of the abdomen using gentle manipulations. This may also include cupping therapy (also called ventosas) as well as Moxa.
In the days following your treatment, your body may feel sore from the manipulations. You might experience changes to your menstrual cycle. Many of our clients also experience discharge due to the body’s natural detoxification. All of these side effects are normal and will go away on their own. It is just your womb's way of finding balance.
We require our patients to not be pregnant to receive this therapy and not be menstruating at the time of treatment. We also suggest coming to your appointment on an empty stomach and avoiding alcohol and caffeine prior to the treatment. We will go over a complete list of suggestions and requirements at the time of booking.
Schedule Your Maya Abdominal Therapy with Us
Rebirth offers specially trained professionals skilled in the art and science of Maya abdominal therapy. Schedule your consultation and treatment and start healing from your center.
Learn Womb Massage with us.
Update! I will soon be offering a limited number of apprenticeships for those wanting to learn Maya abdominal massage. Please click here for more info.