Reflexogenic Properties of Uterine Ligaments

by | Apr 22, 2014 | Uterine Health, Uterine Massage | 0 comments

reflexogenic properties of uterine ligaments
Round ligaments (RL): are thin fibro-muscular cords that run from the lateral aspect of the fundus of the uterus and travel anterolaterally through the inguinal ring and canal and connect to the superficial perineal fascia at the labia majora. The round ligaments lengthen from 4-5 inches to up to 18 inches or so during pregnancy! The RL (along with other uterine ligaments) plays a role in uterine orientation. Uterine ligaments (UL) have different characteristics than, say, the ligaments of the knee, which are comprised of denser connective tissue. UL consists of a blend of skeletal muscle, smooth muscle, hormonal receptors, three types of collagen, and blood vessels. These specialized ligaments have reflexogenic qualities. For instance, stimulation of the RL produces a reflex and can pull the uterus forward if the posterior region of the uterus is free of restriction. The RL also plays a role in left-right positioning.

Producer and reporter, Andrea Muraskin received an ultrasound while performing an Arvigo® self-care abdominal massage.  Listen to the original interview HERE, in the ultrasound images of her womb. Notice the angle of the fundus (the end of the uterus opposite the cervix) relative to the body of the uterus in the first image.  In the 2nd image, you can see that her uterus has rebounded back and even moved forward a bit. This demonstrates the reflexogenic properties of the round ligaments and/or the uterus’s muscular ability to respond to stimulation.

If you have a retroverted (tipped back) uterus the self-care massage may have seemed counterintuitive if you didn’t understand how the ligaments respond to mechanical stimulation. Thanks to the reflexogenic properties of UL, the uterine position can be corrected with this gentle self-care massage when combined with specific anterior and posterior techniques. My hope is that writing this article will help you visualize your own womb responding to your loving self-care massage.

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Author: Barbara Horsley has more than 26 years of experience as a licensed massage therapist. She specializes in abdominal massage and Visceral Manipulation™ and is an NCBTMB-approved educator. In addition to being certified in abdominal massage, she also studied biomechanics and restorative exercise. She is also a Certified Women’s Herbal Educator and a graduate of the IWHI Perimenopause & Menopause Certificate Program.