The Impact of Massage on Your Digestive System
Most people will probably agree that a massage at the end of a long day or after a stressful period of time feels amazing. But did you know that getting a massage could also potentially help the organs throughout your body, such as your digestive system?
The gastrointestinal system (AKA the digestive system) is responsible for digesting and absorbing nutrients from the food that you put into your body. The digestive system consists of a number of parts that work together with your abdominal and intestinal muscles. Research has shown that massage may be able to help your digestive system in the following ways:
Releasing tension in abdominal muscles
Releasing tension in intestinal muscles
Reducing bloating, gas, and cramps
Relieving indigestion
Improving digestion by stimulating peristalsis (a series of contractions that happen within the digestive tract)
Releasing digestive enzymes
Relieving constipation
Assisting with waste elimination
Stimulating liver and kidney activity
Alleviate menstrual pain and cramping
Aid in weight loss
These symptoms may be aided even more by incorporating essential oils to reduce friction and enhance your olfactory senses during the massage.
While this option is often overlooked, many digestive issues stemming from tension in your abdominal or intestinal muscles can be fixed with certain massage techniques. By applying external pressure to the abdomen, your massage therapist may be able to feel congestion built up in these areas. Massaging these areas can stimulate movement and may be able to clear up any congestion. Massaging the abdominal and intestinal muscles also has the potential to boost your metabolism, which could improve your body’s ability to flush out toxins. This allows your digestive system to work at its maximum efficiency.
In addition to the digestive issues listed above, massage therapy can also be beneficial to those with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). IBS can worsen when the person who has the condition has a lot of anxiety or is under a lot of stress, and massage is known to help improve both of those conditions. However, using massage therapy during an IBS flare-up is not recommended, as it could worsen your symptoms.
One of the major benefits of an abdominal massage as a treatment for digestive issues is that, while you can visit a massage therapist for it, you can also do it yourself! All you have to do is:
Lay on your back with your stomach exposed.
Rub your hands together to warm them up.
Apply oils, if you chose to use them.
Massage your entire stomach in a clockwise motion several times with the palm of your hand.
Massage the centerline of your abdomen, from your sternum to your pubic bone.
Massage 3 more lines each on the right and left side of your stomach, an inch apart.
Press your fingers firmly into your navel.
Gently massage outward in a clockwise motion.
Repeat for up to 20 minutes.
If you don’t feel comfortable performing the massage yourself, feel free to stop by! While it’s always best to see a doctor if your symptoms are severe, we hope that these techniques can help you!