Tummy Issues? Try a Massage

It may be an embarrassing and even a gross topic but I know everyone has dealt with digestive issues at some point in their lives.  Whether it be reflux, constipation, diarrhea, indigestion or something more serious like colitis or cancer.  No matter how many healthy choices you make, when deciding what you put into your body, you can still have issues with your digestive system. 

 It’s an issue that can hinder anyone at any time.  Luckily there are treatments that can aid in the recovery of digestive issues such as medical intervention, over the counter medications, and massage.  As a massage therapist, it brings me satisfaction knowing that I can help those in pain in a way they never imagined.  When suffering from reflux or constipation, your first reaction may not be, “let’s go get a massage”, but I guarantee it can bring relief. 

How Massage Helps

Massage simply manipulates soft tissues in your body to maintain good health and wellbeing.  To treat digestive issues, massage therapists gently apply pressure to the outside of the abdomen to feel the structure of the colon and small intestine. 

Abdominal massage can provide the following benefits:

• Increase Metabolism
• Increase Antioxidants
• Flush out and neutralize toxins
• The fewer the toxins in your digestive tract, the better the system can work.
• Greater release of enzymes throughout the body
• Enzymes are necessary to break down food and allow nutrients to be more easily absorbed.  The more nutrients in your body, the more effective it runs.
• Relaxes tension in the muscles surrounding the colon

The Relief Massage Brings

Constipation

Sometimes a massage therapist is able to feel congestion in the digestive tract and can massage the affected area to help stimulate movement.  Massage can reduce symptoms such as cramping, bloating, and gas during times of constipation.

Diverticulosis

Abdominal massage can also help with removing masses that are trapped in the digestive tract that may be caused by diverticula.  Diverticula are small pouches that bulge outward through the colon, or large intestine. If you have these pouches, you have a condition called diverticulosis.  Diverticulosis is more common in those over age 60 but can affect anyone. 

Colitis or Crohn’s Disease

One of Crohn’s disease’s biggest side effect is inflammation of the colon and intestines which causes pain.  Massage can be used during periods of remission for patients with Crohn’s disease to manage chronic pain.  Colitis, inflammation of the inner lining in the colon, can cause diarrhea, dehydration, and cramping.   Massage techniques can help reduce inflammation, and other symptoms caused by Crohn’s disease and colitis. 

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

Massage can also be used to relieve anxiety and tension that often worsen irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, abdominal massage should not be used during an acute IBS flare-up as it can aggravate symptoms. Neck, shoulder, back, and leg massages are helpful in reducing tension and can be performed during an IBS flare up. 

After Colonoscopy or Surgery

After a dreaded but necessary colonoscopy, massage can help immediately after the procedure to eliminate air that was used to inflate the colon during the exam.  It can also be helpful if recovering from colectomy, removal of part of the colon, to relieve pain and discomfort as your digestive tract gets back in motion.

Stress Related Tummy Aches

Anxiety can often lead to that feeling of having a "knot" in the stomach. Along with that uneasy feeling, many times you may experience tummy aches accompanied by gas and pain. The soothing effect of stomach massage can help to alleviate these symptoms and decrease the overall feeling of stress and anxiety throughout your whole body.

Not A Cure All

Keep in mind, massage is not an all inclusive cure to digestive issues.  Massage is a method of treatment that can relieve symptoms.  Bring serious digestive issues to the attention of your doctor.  If you are certain your digestive issues are not due to a serious medical issue, massage may be just what you need for that relief you’ve been longing for.  Massage can help you feel pain free, lighter, and overall happier.