Tummy rubs aren't just for dogs!

Tummy rubs aren’t just for dogs!

Abdominal massage can have a very therapeutic effect on an organ that can carry a lot of stress.

Many conditions such as irritable bowel can result from stresses in our lives, particularly emotional stress. Whilst medication has its benefits, physical massage can often provide quicker results and without the addition of introducing a chemical into the body.

Lets take a look at what causes tension within the gut. Anxiety and stress produces a primeval response of ‘fight or flight’ which reduces blood to non vital areas, the digestive system being one of them, in order to send more blood to vital areas such as the legs so we can run away from the threat. We haven’t evolved very far from this I’m afraid so when we get stressed we still have this same reaction. If we have a lot of this in our life it can disturb our digestion and therefore we can get pockets of air or blockages that cause us pain and discomfort.

Having previously had Irritable Bowel Syndrome ( IBS ) I was shown by my physician how to massage this area myself in order to relieve the blockage and encourage the natural movement of the bowel (peristalsis) to relieve my symptoms.

Abdominal massage can also be used to treat constipation in its acute stage. This is also a fabulous treatment for anyone requiring palliative care as it is less intrusive than a enema, Being bed bound oftens means that a patient will have reduced circulation which in turn aids digestion and if caught before the chronic stage, can be a relaxing whilst also reducing or eradicating symptoms.

Eating a fibrous diet and drinking lots of fluids, particularly water, helps keep the digestive system hydrated and flushed.