Abdominal Therapy Massage
How It Works
Gentle external massage focused on the belly enhances the flow of blood, lymph, and nerve impulses, while additional work to the low back, hips, sacrum, and tailbone further releases restriction and congestion in the pelvic bowl.
Developed by Dr. Rosita Arvigo and rooted in traditional Mayan healing practices, this work supports the optimal alignment and function of the abdominal and pelvic organs. It honors the intelligence of the body and its capacity to restore balance at every stage of life.
What It Helps
Regular Abdominal Therapy sessions can help relieve or support:
Painful, irregular, or heavy cycles
Endometriosis, PCOS, or ovarian cysts
Digestive discomfort and bloating
Pelvic pain or prolapse
Urinary incontinence
Post-surgical adhesions or scar tissue
Menopausal transition
Low back and sacral tension
Prostate and reproductive health
During the childbearing year, this work can support:
Fertility and conception
Postpartum recovery and cesarean healing
Preparation for VBAC
Clients are also taught a short self-massage practice to continue the benefits at home. When appropriate, we may suggest castor oil packs, perineal steaming, or traditional belly wrapping (faja) for additional support.
What to Expect
Your first session is 90 minutes and includes a detailed intake, assessment, hands-on treatment, and self-care education. During the session, you’ll be undressed and draped as in a standard massage. The work includes the full abdomen and the area just above the pubic bone, where the uterus lies. Massage to the back, hips, and sacrum helps free nerve flow to the abdominal and pelvic organs and supports alignment for greater ease. We end sitting up with a neck and shoulder massage.
Follow-up sessions are 60 minutes and typically scheduled every 2–4 weeks. For best results, plan for at least three treatments, along with regular self-massage practice between visits.
Why It’s Important
Our bodies hold the imprint of our daily lives — our habits, stress, posture, injuries, surgeries, pregnancies, births, and cultures all shape how the organs and tissues of the abdomen and pelvis relate to one another. When alignment or circulation becomes restricted, it can lead to imbalance, discomfort, or dysfunction.
Abdominal Therapy helps the body unwind these patterns, supporting a return to ease, flow, and connection with your center.
FAQ
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These techniques weave together traditional wisdom and modern science. Rooted in the ancient Maya practice of abdominal massage, this work was developed by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, (add link to her website: https://rositaarvigo.com/) who studied for more than 40 years with traditional healers in Central America. She combined their teachings with her extensive knowledge of anatomy and her Naprapathic training—a practice similar to chiropractic, but focused on soft tissue manipulation and stretching rather than bone adjustment. Through gentle, external massage, the organs are invited back into balance, encouraging healthy flow of blood, lymph, and nerve communication throughout the abdomen. With this renewed circulation, the body can realign and restore its natural harmony.
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Please do not schedule for a time when you expect to be menstruating, and if possible, in the 5 days prior as well given that the uterus is full. If you are actively trying to conceive, it’s best to come in between the end of menses and ovulation.
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No, this work is not painful. Because many people haven’t experienced abdominal massage before, it’s normal to notice some tenderness or new sensations during and after the first session. We always adjust pressure to ensure your comfort and help you feel at ease. Most people find the experience deeply soothing, grounding, and relaxing.
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This varies depending on each individual and the issue being addressed. More complex concerns, such as endometriosis, can take longer to respond than issues like constipation or sacral discomfort. With consistent self-massage and following the suggested supportive practices between sessions, most people notice positive changes within 6–8 weeks. Typically, we recommend starting with four sessions, then reassessing to see if additional work would be beneficial.
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Yes it can! Our Fertility Enhancement Protocol supports all paths to conception. Regular professional sessions, combined with simple home care practices, can help improve follicle maturation, cervical fluid, uterine lining and uterine blood supply. Vaginal steams before insemination or embryo transfer can help soften and prepare the cervix, making the process more easeful. Beyond the physical benefits, the nurturing touch and deep relaxation of this work invite you to settle into the process—reducing stress and opening space for conscious, intentional conception, in whatever form it takes for you.
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Yes, you can safely receive Abdominal Therapy with an IUD in place. However, if you’re seeking treatment for womb-related conditions, it’s not ideal for deeper work. The techniques are modified, and we use very gentle pressure over the lower abdomen to ensure comfort and safety. Deeper massage—used to support issues like painful periods or cesarean recovery—is most effective when an IUD is not present.
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Absolutely! This work is helpful for people of all genders. When working with clients on fertility issues, it can be beneficial to see both partners as Abdominal Therapy can improve sperm health and transport. It is also supportive for erectile function and prostate health.
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However you identify, you have a body — an anatomy — which may be ailing and in need of support. Whether we work with specific complaints or not, abdominal massage can help you love your body back into alignment with your whole being.