FAQs about Maya Abdominal Massage
What is a Maya Abdominal Massage (MAM)?How does it work for women?
What are the symptoms of a displaced uterus?
What could cause a displaced uterus?
How quickly should I expect a change?
What is "self-care" and why does it help?
Does MAM support fertility?
What should I expect in a typical session?
Is MAM recommended for all women?
Will MAM help if I've had a hysterectomy?
How does MAM help with digestion?
Are there any contraindications?
For further questions about MAM, please contact Malinda Gibbons, L.Ac.
What is a Maya Abdominal Massage (MAM)?
MAM is a non-invasive, external, massage technique. It guides internal abdominal organs into their proper position for optimum health and wellbeing. The technique works by relieving congestion and blockages to improve the flow of chi and fluids of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems to prevent the progression of chronic disease symptomology. MAM improves organ function by releasing physical and emotional congestion from the abdomen.
How does it work for women?
This external massage gently lifts and guides the uterus into its optimal position in the lower pelvis. The uterus is held in position by over 10 ligaments. These ligaments, when stressed or strained, can cause the uterus to become malpositioned. If the uterus is malpositioned, women experience a multitude of symptoms.
What are the symptoms of a displaced uterus?
- Difficulty getting pregnant/fertility issues
- Chronic miscarriages
- PMS/ depression
- Painful, irregular periods or ovulation
- Dark or brown blood at the onset and at the end of menstruation
- Painful intercourse
- Difficult menopause
- Headache or migraine with period
- Varicose veins of the legs and/or tired, weak or numb legs
- Low backache
- Endometriosis, Uterine Fibroids
- Frequent urination; bladder infections, incontinence
- Recurrent vaginal infections
- Chronic constipation
What could cause a displaced uterus?
- Trauma to the sacrum or tailbone from a fall or car accident
- Pelvic ligaments that have weakened due to overstretching during pregnancy and birth
- High impact exercise, running on cement surfaces, high impact aerobics
- Lifting & carrying heavy objects before or during menstruation and too soon after childbirth
- Time and gravity
- Past surgeries
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Chronic muscle spasm around the low back and sacrum
- Emotional armoring from abuse
How quickly should I expect a change?
Depending on the severity of the problem, it may take as little as one session or as long as many months for the uterine position to correct and for the ligaments to gain enough strength and elasticity to stay in place. Three sessions are usually the minimum. Women often report a rapid improvement in symptoms and sense of wellbeing when self-care is performed regularly.
What is "self-care" and why does it help?
Each client is instructed on how to perform the abdominal massage for herself. By doing self-care massage daily for 2-3 minutes, it provides the individual with the ability to improve her symptoms while working with the practitioner.
Does MAM support fertility?
An estimated 30% of woman who have been unsuccessful in conceiving eventually
conceive after a succession of MAM treatments.
Once the uterus is in its optimal position, there is improved hemodynamics
and homeostasis to support and enhance fertility. When the partner is
included in the process, we find fertility is increased!
What should I expect in a typical session?
- Comprehensive review of your personal health history and current health care needs.
- Acupuncture to balance your meridians of energy and motor points.
- Abdominal massage focused on aligning reproductive and abdominal organs.
- Evaluation and application of structural alignment of spine with attention to the sacrum, lumbar and thoracic spine.
- Instruction in self-care home techniques to enhance your professional treatment session.
- Hold/relax stretching.
- Recommendation of complementary modalities:
- Herbal remedies
- Castor oil packs
- Faja (organ support wrap)
- Bajos (traditional vaginal steam bath of the Mayas - pronounced ba-hos)
Is MAM recommended for all women?
Almost every woman, even those who have had hysterectomies, can benefit greatly from MAM through improved circulation, lymphatic drainage and a decrease in the formation of scar tissue.
Will MAM help if I've had a hysterectomy?
Women who have had hysterectomies benefit greatly from MAM as well. The technique improves circulation in and around the area of the scar and allows for proper flow of the lymph, which often becomes blocked after surgery, resulting in swelling, burning and deep aching pains in the pelvis. Women can use MAM techniques regularly to prevent scar tissue from forming in the pelvis after surgery. Ligaments and other remaining organs benefit from improved circulatory flow to the pelvis.
How does MAM help with digestion?
Many anxieties and emotions are stored in our body's tissues and organs. A very common place is in the organs of the digestive system. Those so called "butterflies in your stomach" can lead to constipation, indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, and eventually to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Gastro Esophageal Reflux Diseasen(GERD), Crohn's Disease, and more.
Stress and emotions cause the small intestine and colon to be "twisted or kinked," leading to blockages in the flow of peristalsis. Surrounding fascia creates adhesions that malposition organs and impede proper blood flow and enzyme secretions. MAM helps to break down facial adhesions, scar tissue and removes any "kinks" in the digestive tract. Often there is a dramatic improvement after just one session when combined with proper diet and self-care.
Are there any contraindications?
MAM is not recommended under certain conditions:
- During active menstruation
- An IUD or pessary is present
- Immediately after abdominal surgery
- Active infection or cancer present in pelvic area, or while undergoing active treatment of chemotherapy
- During the first trimester (19 weeks) of pregnancy
- Within the first 6 weeks following a normal vaginal delivery or the first 3 months after a C-section
- Hiatal Hernia (gentle massage required)