Belly Bliss: How Stomach Massage Can Relieve Constipation
In The Surprising Link Between Your Workout and Your Poops: Could Exercise Be Making You Constipated?, we explored how exercise and pelvic floor health can impact your gut. Now, let's dive deeper into another powerful tool for keeping things moving: the magic of stomach massage. It's something I do every night before bed to ensure regularity.
Why Stomach Massage Works Wonders
Think of your intestines as a lazy river, sometimes needing a little nudge to keep things flowing. Stomach massage is like that gentle nudge, helping to:
Stimulate Peristalsis: Massage can activate those wave-like contractions that move stool through your digestive tract.
Relieve Muscle Tension: It can relax tense abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, reducing pressure and discomfort.
Enhance Blood Flow: Increased blood flow to the digestive organs supports optimal functioning.
Promote Gas Movement: Massage can help release trapped gas, reducing bloating and discomfort.
Techniques for Tummy-Tastic Relief
Ready to give your belly some love? Here are a few effective massage techniques:
Clockwise Circles: Lie down comfortably and gently massage your abdomen in a circular, clockwise motion (following the path of the colon). Use light to moderate pressure and make small circles with your fingertips or palm.
Upward Motion on the Left: Start from the lower right side of your abdomen and work your way up the right side, across the top, and then down the left side, following the curve of the colon towards the lower left abdomen.
Focus on the Midline: One area I intuitively focus on during self-massage is the midline of the abdomen, about halfway between the navel and the bottom of the sternum. Apply gentle but firm pressure to this spot for about 2 minutes. I recently learned that this area is often targeted in traditional practices like acupressure for its potential benefits in promoting gut health.
Level Up Your Massage with the Naboso Neuro Ball
Want to take your stomach massage to the next level? Try using a Naboso Neuro Ball! This textured ball provides targeted pressure and sensory stimulation, enhancing the effects of the massage.
Use the ball to target areas of tension or discomfort—like on that midline region in the upper abdomen or on the left side towards the sigmoid colon.
Hydration: Your Gut's Best Friend
Remember, hydration is key! Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can make a big difference in keeping things moving smoothly.
By incorporating regular stomach massage into your routine, you can support your body's natural elimination process and say goodbye to constipation woes.
Stay tuned for the next blog post in this series about relieving constipation, where we'll explore the impact of posture on elimination!
Read on for more installments in this series on constipation relief:
Part 1: The Surprising Link Between Your Workout and Your Poops: Could Exercise Be Making You Constipated?
Part 2: Belly Bliss: How Stomach Massage Can Relieve Constipation
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