Arvigo Techniques of Mayan Abdominal Therapy® – An Introduction

by Liz Martin

WHAT IS IT?

ATMAT® is based on ancient Mayan techniques of abdominal massage, an external non-invasive bodywork that repositions internal organs that have shifted, thereby restricting blood, oxygen, lymph, and nerve flow. The Arvigo® techniques have a long and rich heritage based on the apprenticeship of Miss Rosita Arvigo with Don Elijio Panti, Miss Hortence Robinson and Miss Beatrice Waight of Belize.

While ATMAT can be beneficial for anyone, with my background in birth, prenatal and postpartum bodywork, I use it to focus on those who currently or used to have female reproductive organs. So if you have/had a uterus & ovaries, this work can benefit you!

HOW DOES IT HELP FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE CONDITIONS?

The uterus will be at its optimal health if it is in its neutral position, receiving optimal blood, oxygen, nerve and lymph flow. Uteruses are designed to move, grow and shrink, so they shift due to a variety of reasons, such as pregnancy, childbirth, exercise, running, horseback riding, cycling, falling and/or car accidents. Anything that jostles the body can shift the uterus out of a neutral position. Additionally, because the uterus is attached to the pelvis via ligaments, a misaligned pelvis may contribute to a malpositioned uterus, as well. Because of this, uteruses are rarely in their neutral position – unless we give it a little assistance.

Uteruses can be shifted to the right or left, forward (anteflexed) or backward (retroflexed.) When  this happens, the uterus doesn’t receive its optimal blood, oxygen, nerve and lymph flow, so it becomes dysfunctional. (See the list of conditions below that can be caused by a misaligned uterus.)

When the uterus is in its neutral position, it is functioning optimally, meaning one can have short, regular, painless menstrual cycles with few, if any, symptoms, and a healthy, fully functioning uterus!

Conditions Caused by a Misaligned Uterus
Displaced or prolapsed uterus
Difficulty conceiving
Endometriosis
History of miscarriages and/or difficult pregnancies
Menopausal symptoms
Ovarian cysts/PCOS
Painful and/or irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation
Pelvic pain and/or pain during intercourse
PMS
Uterine fibroids
Yeast infections

HOW DOES IT HELP THE REST OF THE ABDOMEN?
During an Arvigo session, I also massage the upper abdomen. The diaphragm mirrors the pelvic floor, so if someone has a tight diaphragm it is likely they also have a tight pelvic floor, and vice versa.

Click here to see the movement of the diaphragm and pelvis.

A tight diagphram can decrease blood, oxygen, nerve and lymph flow to your stomach, liver, pancreas, spleen, large and small intestines, which can lead to a variety of digestive and other conditions (see the list below.) By softening and opening the diaphragm, we increase your breath, and oxygen intake, and increase the blood, oxygen, nerve and lymph flow throughout the upper abdomen.

Other Conditions Helped by ATMAT

Bladder Infections
Crohn’s Disease
Digestive Disorders
Chronic indigestion or heartburn
Constipation
Fatigue
Gastritis
Gastro Esophogeal Reflux (GERD)
Headaches/Migraines
Incontinence
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Low backache
Restricted breathing due to tension

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR SESSION

The initial Arvigo session lasts two hours, and includes an extensive intake form and discussion, a self-care massage lesson (how to massage your own abdomen,) and I give a full Arvigo session. This includes working on the client’s abdomen and posterior pelvis – mid-back, low-back, glutes and hips – to encourage the pelvis to be aligned.

Follow-up sessions are 90 minutes, and include discussion, a review of the self-care techniques and a full Arvigo session.

You can learn more about ATMAT on the Arvigo website and you can schedule your Arvigo session with Liz here!