The wandering womb as found in the medical textbooks of ancient Greece referred to a displaced uterus that was able to float around the body.
A uterus on the loose was perceived to be the bane of women's lives and the cause of many medical pathologies. Described as a living thing within a living thing, it delighted in fragrant scents and fled from putrid smells, moving up to the thorax, left or right to the liver and spleen or prolapsed downward, erratic and closely resembling an animal.
Now imagine that for a moment……
Another theory to understand woman’s symptoms which oppose that of the wandering womb was hysterical suffixation, inflammation caused by the drawing down and suffocation of the uterus. These concepts further developed the idea of hysteria and a medical massage device later to become the vibrator check out this movie for a giggle) Gynaecology has come a long way since 2nd century BC and although the ancient physicians may not have got it completely right, you could say there is some truth.
The uterus doesn’t wander, but rather resides in a central place in the pelvis, leaning slightly over the bladder, about one and a half inches above the pubic bone. This allows maximum free flow and circulation of nutrient-rich blood, nerve, and lymph.
The womb is the creative bowl, the bearer of life, doubling in size at menstruation from 113g to 226g and can weigh as much as 850g in pregnancy. It is held in this position by muscles, the vaginal wall and ligaments that attach it to the back, front, and sides of the pelvis. Uterine ligaments are made to stretch to accommodate a growing foetus inside and to move freely when the bladder or bowel is full.
Due to modern life, injury, or accidents, ligaments and muscles can weaken and loosen, causing the uterus to fall downward, forward, backward or to either side. A uterus in any of these positions is called tilted or prolapsed. Not quite the wandering womb but displaced and often inflamed.
Some common causes of a displaced uterus:
High impact injury – falls off horses, car accidents etc.
High impact sports
Running on cement surfaces.
Repeated pregnancies, pregnancies close together, or difficult deliveries
Poor care during pregnancy, delivery, and post-partum
Injury to sacrum
Poor alignment of the pelvis
Carrying heavy loads too soon after childbirth
Straining during bowel movements
Modern medicine offers little to women with this problem. Options may include using the birth control pill, muscle relaxants, or surgery and women are generally told, "your uterus is tipped, but that is normal and don't worry about it." Yet women have a laundry list of physical and emotional symptoms that can be addressed and prevented with simple, non-invasive massage techniques.
Some common signs and symptoms of a displaced uterus:
Dark blood at beginning or end of the period
Painful periods and ovulation
Irregular menstrual cycles
Displaced or prolapsed uterus/bladder
Bladder or yeast infections
Miscarriages; difficult pregnancies
Endometriosis/ endometritis
Fertility issues
PMS
Abnormal uterine bleeding
Frequent urination/ incontinence
Haemorrhoids
Tired week legs/ numb legs and feet
The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Therapy® is an external non-invasive massage that repositions internal organs that have shifted. By shifting the uterus back into place, homeostasis, or the natural balance of the body, is restored in the pelvic area and the surrounding organs allowing the free flow of blood and lymph. Toxins are flushed and nutrients that help to tone tissue and balance hormones are restored to normal order. This is essential for healthy functioning of the reproductive organs, male and female as well as digestive health. When reproductive organs shift, they can constrict the normal flow of blood and lymph, and disrupt nerve connections. Just a few extra grams sitting on blood and lymph vessels can cause havoc throughout the different systems in the body.
If you want to find out more about Arvigo® and Maya abdominal therapy and what happens in a session, call for a free 15 minute consultation.
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