Womb Healing Journey, Part 2: Working in the Physical Body

Since my last post, I had my appointment at Rebirth Massage where I met the owner and sobadora, Joanna, who did my consultation. The space is very comforting with plants and soft lights and music. It is also decorated with Mesoamerican stone statues and a beautiful butterfly mural on the wall. I was greeted very kindly and warmly by the receptionist. It is very inviting. It was the waxing moon and my energy was higher than normal and so I was talking a lot, nervously, trying to stay grounded in a new place with new people.

Joanna listened to my story and asked me more questions to fill in the details. She went over and emailed me all the recommendations for herbs and herbal tinctures, supplements, castor oil packs and how to use them, and frequency of herbal vaginal steams and womb massage. Overall, I feel very confident and excited to work with Joanna and Rebirth Massage.

After my consultation, she took me to the vaginal steam room and showed me how to sit over the steam. I was the only one in the room, that has four steam chair setups. Again, the space was very calming and cozy. They give you a skirt to wear- I steamed from the waist down- and warm socks. Joanna also brought me hot herbal tea that they have brewed for clients and some water. After I sat down, she slowly increased the heat until it was on the setting they normally use. I was nervous at first about what it would feel like, but my fears were quenched quickly, because it was very relaxing! I started to feel a bit sleepy and wondered what herbs were in the steam. I noticed a pamphlet with all the herbs was on the shelf next to me explaining what each herbs purpose in the blend was. Mugwort was on there, hence the sleepiness! It felt amazing to learn that all of the herbs in the steam I had worked with and grown myself, so I started speaking with them asking them to help release anything that is no longer serving and sending my gratitude. I think it is important whenever possible to tend the plants you are working with, building a relationship with them and giving back in reciprocity with the work of your hands. It was a beautiful experience!

The only thing I would recommend for the first time is to not do too much physical activity immediately after the steam. I went to the zoo with my son and parents afterwards walking around for 3 hours and my legs and back had a lot of pain in them into the next day. Joanna also recommends keeping your feet and womb warm- she is always saying, “Warm feet mean a warm womb.” And a warm womb means increased blood flow to the womb and less stagnation. Just like a pond that is stagnant and becomes foul, our bodies are the same- we need movement and heat to stimulate the lymph in our bodies to help remove what is no longer serving and refresh our internal waters.

Two days after the steam, my womb started purging and I had spotting for 5 days. Joanna said it was normal and to be expected when I told her at my next appointment, which was a womb massage. In the womb massage Joanna started on my neck and shoulders which was very relaxing (I was pretty tense from driving then straight to a massage-she recommended I steam first next time, then do the massage immediately afterwards so I am more relaxed). Then moved onto my womb space. As she massaged I was having flashbacks of that area of my body- being pregnant with Lincoln and people focusing on my abdomen, wanting to touch me 😫; how I have looked at this part of my body, often with disdain-more so when I was younger- and sometimes with disappointment which is more recent as I see the changes after pregnancy and my weight fluctuation with autoimmune. The experience did feel pretty uncomfortable but not painful. My teacher Akaxe says that our ancestors have a saying that “most of life is suffering” and not in a negative way, but to honor that this is true and consciously sacrifice our comfort in order to find deep gratitude, understanding, and transcendence. Just like the flower that must die to produce new life or a mother who goes through childbirth, something new and beautiful is born of this learning from suffering.

I also got an herbal poultice belly wrap after my massage which I left on for 6 hours. It felt really good with warming herbs helping to bring heat and detoxification.

I was pretty sore for 2 days the massage, especially near my womb space so I took it easy and slow with physical activity-walking and stretching. When I did feel good physically, I got some running, weed whacking, and garden work in. Movement is key! (Saying this to remember 😬)

My second womb massage was done with a vaginal steam beforehand and I was MUCH more relaxed for my womb massage. Joanna worked on my tailbone this time as I had remembered that I broke it when I was 8 or 9 rollerblading down some concrete stairs 🤔.

As she did the work on my tailbone, I could feel how it connected to my right hip which is almost constantly in pain. I also visit the chiropractor twice a month to help with any pain from exercise, falling down, and daily movements. I highly recommend chiropractic for pain. MediCal (free insurance in California) covers chiropractic and acupuncture care, which also helps with pain, and other insurances might do as well (Kaiser). This time around, the massage didn’t feel as uncomfortable.

I have already noticed that my cycle didn’t have any breast soreness, headaches or nausea. I still had one day of painful ovulation, but minimal bloating. I also cut out alcohol completely because I noticed that it was contributing to the bloating and adding in much more veggies, probiotic foods (I like sauerkraut and kombucha), and wild greens for minerals not found in farmed soil. If you’re interested in learning about the native plants in your area, I highly recommend learning from the original indigenous land stewards. I took classes at Kumeyaay Community College so I could understand better how to care for the land I live on and which plants were edible and medicinal and how to harvest and prepare them.

This immediate changes are very encouraging and it’s also important to remember that deep change will take time. I’ve had symptoms of endometriosis since I was a teenager, so working through will take time, space, discipline, and of course movement! to work through and bring in healing. The healing is the journey ✨🌿