Tummy massage for detox & constipation

As a therapist you find yourself having to adapt to the needs of a client on a regular basis as well as having to be quick thinking, the latter being something I have gotten better at as the years have gone by.  Not that I was slow or dim witted I'll have you know but rather not noticing a window of opportunity then kicking myself afterwards.

So this was the case the other day when a client came in for massage.  Normally she'll lie on her stomach quite happily and allow me to work on her back but this particular day she was restless and couldn't seem to get comfy.  I enquired if anything was wrong and she said she was feeling really bloated & uncomfortable and hadn't been to the loo for several days.  It turned out she'd been stuck at her desk for days, doing no exercise, drinking loads of coffee instead of her usual water in order to make a deadline.  I offered that I could possibly help and asked a few more questions regarding her health, then, when satisfied all was ok, got her to lie on her back and performed a slow tummy massage for her.  Without going into detail, it was obvious she was severely "backed up" when I began tracing the colon.  The massage lasted about 15 minutes and she said it was one of the weirdest yet pleasant experiences she'd ever had.  I gave some aftercasre advice that included trying to get some water back into her diet as well as taking regular breaks just to have a little walk around.

The next morning I got a text from her, simply reading "I've been.  Thank you so much"

So have you ever had a tummy massage to relieve constipation or bloating or do you just reach immediately for the medication?

Here's what it can do for you;

• reduces the need for longterm laxative medication which over time loses its effectiveness
• relieves pain caused from trapped wind and/or constipation
• reduces the need of having enemas or colonic irrigation
• is also an aid to weightloss
• removes stagnant toxins from the colonic tract that can cause you to feel ill, sluggish etc
• if you're on a detox, tummy massage can help remove more toxins from your body.

However some conditions are not suitable for tummy massage

• bowel obstructions
• inflammatory bowel conditions such as IBS, Crohn's, Colitis
• spastic colon
• spinal injury
• recent scarring or abdominal surgery
• any type of hernia
• pregnancy

So there you have it, next time you feel like your insides are going to explode like something from Alien, think of me and consider a a stand alone tummy massage to relieve your symptoms or even better, incorporate it into your normal regular massage sessions to maintain a healthy colon and regular poo poos.  With Xmas/New Year coming up, alot of us end up looking and feeling like a bouncy castle so this is another option for you to try.

Til next week
MB