Abdominal [Stomach] Massage

Abdominal massage fasten the transit of fecal matter in the colon by relieving constipation, it stimulates abdominal organs and strengthen digestion.

If people would take care of their body and cleanse their colon and intestines, their problems would be pretty much eliminated. Dr. George C. Crile

What is abdominal massage?

Abdominal massage for constipation is a clockwise massage over your tummy for about 2 to 5 minutes. This is the direction, the feces travels through the ascending, transcending and descending colon. It relieve constipation and can do in any positions lying, sitting or standing.

Abdominal massage benefits

Abdominal massage is highly useful for entire abdominal organs and digestion.

• Stimulates the abdominal organs
• Increases blood circulation in the abdominal area
• Improved digestion, absorption, and elimination
• Relieve flatulence (gas),
• Improve bowel movement; relieve constipation and reduce the need for long-term laxative medicine use in chronic patients.
• Helps heal indigestion, nausea, vomiting and the adverse effects of overeating

Who can benefit from abdominal massage?

• People with chronic constipation.
• People with flatulence (gas) and stomach cramps.
• People with indigestion, difficult digesting, or indigested food in feces. 
• People who frequently overload with heavy foods.

Abdominal massage is not for people who have:

• Malignant bowel obstruction or an abdominal growth
• Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• inflammation of the uterus, bladder, ovaries and fallopian tubes
• stones in the gall bladder, kidneys or bladder
• ulcers of the intestines and stomach
• Recently undergone scarring or abdominal surgery.
• Pregnant
• Abdominal hernia-hiatus, umbilical or inguinal can do with care

How do we know it works?

Research has shown abdominal massage can improve bowel function.

Statistical analysis shows laxative therapy and abdominal massage both provide same benefit. We also know laxatives is ineffective over time, thus a better and safer alternative will be abdominal massage.

Abdominal massage has acupressure link

Abdominal area has numerous acupuncture points predominantly influencing digestion, absorption, and elimination. Massaging (pressing) these points relieve constipation, indigestion, pain, flatulence, ulcers, gas, etc.

How to do abdominal massage?

Abdominal massage follow the path that fecal matter moves in the colon, it assist on its way out! Normal bowel movement is reestablished. 

The ileocecal valve is a sphincter between the small and large intestine through which digested food move into large intestine from small intestine. Proper function of this sphincter muscle is vital for health.

Malfunctioning ileocecal valve; when it stay closed, there will be improper elimination of waste and create a toxic environment; when it stays open, there will be backwash of fecal matter into the small intestine. 

A healthy functioning ileocecal valve is vital for digestive health; you can achieve this by massaging this area.

• Body position: Lie down on your back on your bed or on the floor, sitting in a chair, or standing position.
• Remove or pull up your dress, so that your abdominal area is bare.
• Rub both hands together vigorously, until you feel hot (approximately for about 15 seconds).
• Place left hand over right hand, place both hands at the lowest right side of the abdomen. This is exactly near the ileocecal valve.
• Feel the warmth in, around and entire intestine specifically stomach.
• Massage in small circles around belly button, and gradually make the circles larger. 
• Apply gentle pressure to help move the fecal matter at convenient pace, approximately 1 circle per second. Be careful if you apply hard massage may compact the fecal matter make the condition more severe. 
• Perform 40 to 50 massage circles or approximately for about 2 minutes.
• During massage, if you feel pain in any particular area give important to that area by massaging small circles around that area. 
• For best results, do this abdominal massage twice per day in the morning (immediately after wakeup) and in night (before going to bed). You will notice improvement in digestion and constipation within a week. 

For best results, do this abdominal massage twice per day. You will notice improvement in digestion and constipation within a week. 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the stomach is the energy center. Massaging the stomach provides boost in energy. Additionally, this massage melt away adipose tissue (fat) accumulation.