PIPESTONE MASSAGE & WELLNESS
All About
Holistic Abdominal Therapy
Holistic Abdominal Therapy is a comprehensive approach that integrates various massage techniques, including Maya Abdominal Massage, Chi Nei Tsang, and Visceral Manipulation. This gentle and non-invasive therapy focuses on the abdomen, lower back, and sacrum to address the repositioning of organs that may have shifted, causing disruptions in the flow of vital bodily fluids, nerves, hormones, and energy (qi).
By utilizing these techniques, Holistic Abdominal Therapy aims to address a wide range of reproductive, digestive, and structural concerns. These may include but are not limited to infertility, menstrual irregularities, fibroids, endometriosis, gastrointestinal disorders such as GERD and IBS, chronic pain conditions, scarring, and fatigue. The therapy targets both men and women, offering support for issues such as fertility, digestive health, stress reduction, and low back pain.
Holistic Abdominal Therapy serves as a complementary modality to enhance overall health and wellness, rather than a standalone approach to healthcare. Depending on the severity of the problem, it may take as little as one session and as long as many months for symptoms to be corrected and for the ligaments to gain enough strength and elasticity for it to stay in place. It can take about 3 to 4 sessions before noticeable changes occur.
How Can Holistic Abdominal Therapy Help?
Fertility
Even if you are not having fertility issues, Holistic Abdominal Therapy supports women as they prepare their bodies for conception, leaving a healthier internal environment for baby.
For men, Holistic Abdominal Therapy can increase sperm count as well as overall health of the male reproductive tract.
Premenstrual/Ovulatory/Uterine Symptoms
Helps to improve circulation to the pelvic area, including the uterus, ovaries, and surrounding tissues. Enhanced blood flow facilitates the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the reproductive organs, promoting their health and function. Improved circulation can also help reduce congestion and stagnation in the pelvic region, which may contribute to menstrual disorders.
Pregnancy
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Uterine Positioning: As the uterus expands during pregnancy, it can sometimes become displaced or compressed by surrounding organs. Holistic Abdominal Therapy helps to gently realign the uterus, ensuring optimal positioning within the pelvis. This can relieve pressure on other organs, promote better blood flow to the uterus and placenta, and create more space for the growing baby.
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Relief from Discomfort: Pregnancy often brings various physical discomforts such as back pain, pelvic pain, sciatica, and digestive issues. Holistic Abdominal Therapy uses gentle techniques to release tension in the abdominal and pelvic muscles, alleviate pressure on the lower back and pelvis, and improve digestion. This can help pregnant women feel more comfortable and at ease throughout their pregnancy.
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Promotion of Circulation: Improved circulation is crucial during pregnancy to support the growing baby and maintain maternal health. Holistic Abdominal Massage enhances blood flow to the pelvic organs, including the uterus, ovaries, and placenta. This can improve oxygen and nutrient delivery to the baby, aid in the removal of waste products, and reduce the risk of complications such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction.
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Preparation for Birth: Can help prepare the body for labor and birth by promoting relaxation, releasing tension in the pelvic floor muscles, and encouraging optimal positioning of the baby. By addressing any restrictions or imbalances in the pelvis, this therapy may facilitate a smoother and more efficient labor process.
Postpartum
Holistic Abdominal Therapy during the weeks after delivery helps to restore muscle tone in the abdomen and encourage proper position of internal organs. Abdominal therapy supports the uterus and ligaments to return to an optimal position and helps bring the pelvis and sacrum into balance.
Abdominal therapy may be resumed at 6 weeks postpartum following a vaginal delivery or 3 months after a cesarean birth to address the following:
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Uterine Realignment: During pregnancy, the uterus expands significantly to accommodate the growing fetus. After childbirth, the uterus undergoes a process known as involution, where it gradually returns to its pre-pregnancy size and position. Holistic Abdominal Therapy can aid in this process by gently encouraging the uterus to return to its optimal position within the pelvis. This realignment can help alleviate discomfort and promote overall pelvic health.
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Relief from Muscular Tension: The physical demands of pregnancy and childbirth can lead to muscular tension and strain, particularly in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic floor muscles. Holistic Abdominal Therapy can help release tension in these areas, providing relief from postpartum discomfort and promoting relaxation and comfort.
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Support for Pelvic Floor Healing: Childbirth can put significant strain on the pelvic floor muscles, leading to issues such as pelvic floor dysfunction, urinary incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. Holistic Abdominal Therapy can help support the healing of the pelvic floor muscles by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting muscle relaxation. This can aid in the prevention and management of pelvic floor disorders.
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Promotion of Postpartum Healing: Can support overall postpartum healing by improving circulation, reducing swelling, and enhancing the body's natural healing processes. By encouraging the flow of blood, lymph, and energy to the abdominal and pelvic regions, this therapy can facilitate faster recovery from childbirth and promote a smoother transition to postpartum life.
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Emotional Support and Healing From Trauma: The postpartum period can be emotionally challenging as individuals adjust to their new role as parents and navigate changes in their bodies and lifestyles. Holistic Abdominal Massage offers a nurturing and supportive space for individuals to relax, release tension, connect with their bodies, and facilitates emotional healing from surgical birth and birth trauma.
Perimenopause/Menopause
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Hormonal Balance: During perimenopause and menopause, fluctuations in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, can lead to a range of symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and irregular menstrual cycles. Holistic Abdominal Therapy aims to support hormonal balance by promoting circulation to the reproductive organs and abdominal area. By enhancing the body's natural regulatory mechanisms, this therapy may help alleviate hormonal imbalances and reduce the severity of associated symptoms.
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Relief from Menopausal Symptoms: Can provide relief from common menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, mood swings, and anxiety. The gentle massage techniques used in this therapy help relax tense muscles, reduce stress levels, and promote overall relaxation and well-being. By addressing tension and congestion in the abdominal area, this therapy may help alleviate discomfort and promote a sense of calmness and balance.
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Support for Reproductive Health: While menopause marks the end of the reproductive years, it is still important to support the health of the reproductive organs during this transition. Holistic Abdominal Therapy can help maintain the health and vitality of the uterus, ovaries, and other reproductive organs by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, and promoting tissue health. This may help reduce the risk of gynecological issues such as uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, and endometriosis, which can sometimes occur or worsen during perimenopause and menopause.
Can Men Benefit from Holistic Abdominal Therapy?
Absolutely! Men can benefit from Holistic Abdominal Therapy in several ways:
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Digestion
The therapy can address various digestive issues commonly experienced by men, such as constipation, diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, gastritis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and more. Scar tissue and adhesions can often cause sluggish digestion and circulation after abdominal surgery. Holistic Abdominal Therapy helps to break down the scar tissue and adhesions from past or present surgeries that result in swelling, burning and deep aching pains in the pelvis and overall digestive efficiency.
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Lower Back Pain
Many men suffer from lower back pain due to various factors such as poor posture, muscular tension, or injury. Holistic Abdominal Therapy targets the lower back and sacrum, providing relief from pain and discomfort associated with these areas.
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Prostate Health
The therapy supports prostate health by promoting proper blood flow and circulation to the pelvic region. It can help alleviate symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate, urinary difficulties, and other prostate-related issues.
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Fertility Support
Holistic Abdominal Therapy can help improve men's fertility by enhancing circulation and balancing blood flow, nerve function, and hormonal levels in the abdominal area. It may aid in increasing sperm count, improving sperm morphology, and enhancing sperm motility, thereby improving the chances of conception.
How Else Can Holistic Abdominal Therapy Help?
Menstrual Symptoms
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Pain or Discomfort with Menstruation
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Irregular Menstrual Cycles
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Excessive Bleeding
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Dark Blood During Menstruation
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Clotting
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Spotting
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Pain or Discomfort with Ovulation
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Irregular Ovulation
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Failure to Ovulate
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Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
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Low Back Pain with Period
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Bloating / Water Retention
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Uterine Polyps / Fibroids / Infections
Hormonal Imbalance
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PMS / Depression / Irritability
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Headaches or Migraines with Period
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Difficult Menopause
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Hot Flashes
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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
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Endometriosis
Fertility
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Infertility / Fertility Issues
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Difficulty Getting Pregnant
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Chronic Miscarriage
Men's Issues
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Prostate enlargement or discomfort
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Difficult, painful or incomplete urination
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Erectile dysfunction (depending on cause)
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Low sperm count
Digestive Issues
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Chronic Constipation
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Sluggish Digestion
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Pain with Bowel Movements
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Rectal Pain
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Straining
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Chronic Indigestion or Heartburn
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Gastro Esophageal Reflux (GERD)
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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Urinary Issues
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Frequent Urination
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Nocturnal Urination
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Difficult, Painful or Incomplete Urination
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Chronic Bladder Infections
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Incontinence
Circulatory Issues
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Varicose Veins
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Hemorrhoids
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Tired Weak Legs
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Restless Legs
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Numb Legs and Feet
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Edema
Musculoskeletal Issues
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Unexplained Low Back Pain
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Adhesions and Scar Tissue
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Uterine Prolapse
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Pelvic Floor Stagnation
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Pelvic Floor Stagnation can cause:
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Painful Intercourse
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Pelvic Pain
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Pain in Genital Area
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Low Libido
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Sluggish Digestion
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Ovarian Cysts (can also be hormonal)
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Vaginal Dryness
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Recurrent Vaginal Infections