Abdominal Therapy Collective (ATC)
WHAT IS IT?
Abdominal Therapy Collective (ATC) is founded on an ancient Maya technique of ABDOMINAL MASSAGE. This technique is performed externally by gently guiding and supporting organs back into their optimal position, allowing for improved functioning for optimal health and wellness.
Abdominal Therapy is best known for addressing misalignment or congestion in the reproductive organs of both men and women, as well as many common digestive disorders. These massage techniques effectively alleviate tissue congestion and organ constriction to improve the vital flows of energy, blood, lymph and nerves in the abdomen. It addresses and can release emotional and energetic tension from the abdomen. The massage assists to prevent the progression of chronic disease symptomology while improving the body’s ability to self-repair and balance.
Abdominal Therapy Collective (ATC) supports and enhances health and wellness throughout the life cycle for women, men, and teens.
The following are the most common symptoms and conditions that this may help address:
FOR EVERYONE
- Digestive disorders (Crohn’s, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease, Gastritis, Constipation, Indigestion, etc.)
- Muscular Tension Urinary System (incontinence, frequent urinary infections, etc.)
- Varicose Veins
- Fertility Enhancement
- Post Surgical (scar tissue, recovery, etc.)
FOR WOMEN:
- Menstrual Disorders (painful/ irregular periods)
- Pre-Conception through Postpartum Discomforts of Pregnancy; Birth Preparation
- C-section/hysterectomy surgery recovery
- Menopause
- Pelvic Organ Congestion (endometriosis, cysts, fibroids)
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Chronic bladder/yeast infections
- Pelvic organ prolapse
Supporting Your Pre and Peri-Natal Wellness
Abdominal massage helps guide internal abdominal organs into their proper position so that organ functions are supported and enhanced. It is an external, gentle and non-invasive massage to the abdomen and lower back. This therapy supports the physical changes experienced by women during pregnancy. As the baby and uterus grow, additional strain is put on the uterine and pelvic ligaments and pelvic floor muscles. With regular massage, the uterus stays well positioned and receives good blood supply.
Abdominal massage benefits women throughout the child-bearing years by enhancing fertility and conception, supporting structural changes and alleviating discomfort, helping with optimal birth position for the baby, thereby easing labor, birth and postpartum recovery.
At your initial session you will be taught Self-Care Massage which adds to the therapeutic benefits of your session and is something you can do at home. Abdominal massage normalizes pelvic alignment allowing the uterus to guide itself to optimal positioning in the pelvis.
Digestion and respiration during pregnancy is also improved.
Practitioners around the world have repeatedly found that their clients experience significantly shorter and easier labors and many midwifery-based practices have integrated abdominal massage into their care and have reported positive birth outcomes.
It is advisable to begin working with a practitioner as soon as possible to provide you and your baby with the maximum benefits these sessions can offer you. Ideally you would schedule six to nine pre-natal sessions and a six-week postpartum session as well.
“The female pelvis is a powerhouse of energy transformation; the very throne of creation through which universal creative energy patterns course and flow.” ~ Rosita Arvigo, DN
Wellness Benefits At-A-Glance by Body System
Reproductive
- Strengthens uterine ligaments
- Decreases ligament discomfort
- Enhances optimal function and alignment of all reproductive organs
- Supports optimal fetal alignment
Musculoskeletal
- Decreases chronic muscle tension, restores balance to overstretched muscles and ligaments
- improves pelvic alignment, addressing sciatic and hip pain
- Improves sacrum mobility and alignment to facilitate an efficient birth
Circulatory
- Improves blood flow to mother and child
- Improves blood flow to pelvic floor muscles
- Improves lymphatic circulation and decreases incidence of edema
Respiratory
- Releases tension in ribcage and diaphragm making it easier to breathe more deeply
- Reduces rib pain
Nervous
- Increases oxytocin, which helps to ease tension and anxiety
- Supports emotional healing of past traumas
Digestive
- Helps digestion, reducing nausea and heartburn
- Improves absorption of nutrients
- Improves elimination
Postpartum Recovery & Healing
Postpartum is a time of physical and emotional adjustments. A new mother’s body undergoes physiological and structural changes as part of healing from labor and birth and to return to her pre-pregnant state. Abdominal massage during postpartum facilitates recovery. It supports the uterus and ligaments to return to an optimal position and helps bring the pelvis into balance.
Abdominal therapy and self-care massage may be resumed at 6 weeks postpartum to address the following:
- Helps heal Diastasis Recti
- Addresses pain from low back/sacral/coccyx injuries that can occur during birth
- Facilitates emotional healing from surgical birth and birth trauma
- Improves the potential for a successful VBAC
- Aids to reducing and resolving scar tissue that may have resulted from a caesarian birth
FOR MEN:
- Early stages of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy)
- Prostatitis (mild)
- Impotence, Erectile Dysfunction
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING A SESSION:
- Comprehensive review of your past and present healthcare needs focusing on reproductive and digestive health
- Upper and lower abdominal massage to help:
Align reproductive and abdominal organs to optimal position
Improve circulation to organs
Promote vital flow to support the body’s inherent healing capacity - Evaluation of and application of bodywork to improve alignment of spine
- Instruction in self-care massage to enhance your professional session.
- *recommendations of complimentary modalities to support your health and wellness that may include:
- Faja – a traditional lower abdomen support wrap
- Bajos – traditional herbal pelvic steam bath of the Maya
- Castor oil packs
- Nutritional and herbal support
- Lifestyle education
Your practitioner will work with you to address your specific needs. Typically, 2-3 professional sessions (at a mini-mum) are required to address most conditions. Clients who perform their self-care massage on a routine basis report an improvement in their symptoms.
*Note: supportive modalities are recommended by practitioners based on his/her professional license, scope of practice, as well as client needs.
ABOUT YOUR THERAPIST
Judith Brooks L. Ac. #133 and LMBT #1313 is a certified Spiritual Healer thru Abdominal Therapy Collective (ATC). She is trained in the Techniques of Abdominal therapy and uses this healing practice to treat both men and women.
“Judith Brooks is a compassionate and skilled practitioner. I have been going to her for several years for Abdominal Therapy. She always listens carefully to my concerns, but beyond that she seems to listen with all of her senses as she uses Abdominal Therapy to bring my body into balance and harmony. My digestive issues have disappeared using Abdominal Therapy and issues with glucose metabolism have improved. Judith taught me a self-care technique for ABT that I can use at home, and it has proved especially helpful for helping me relax.” P.M., Graham, NC