Can Massage Help with Digestive Issues?
For most of us, there is a short list of primary reasons why we might crawl happily onto a massage table or into our own massage chair. Sore muscles, tight joints, excessive stress— all or any of those is a good excuse for some welcome pampering. But what about less common prompts? What about symptoms you might not necessarily associate with any kind of massage therapy? What about digestive issues? Can massage help soothe cramping, bloating, and other abdominal discomforts?
How It’s Supposed to Work and When It Doesn’t
Peristalsis is the involuntary contraction of abdominal muscles to aid in the processing of food. When it’s working properly, we’re good. But many things can interfere with this process or appear when it’s not functioning properly. Mineral deficiencies, and constipation caused by medications like codeine may slow the natural process. When your body’s normal function is impeded, the results can be unpleasant: everything from temporary bloating and diarrhea to ulcerative colitis, IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), and GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) may come as a result.
Massage Therapy Can Help
By stimulating the motion of the intestine and encouraging its contents to move along more quickly, massage can relieve those symptoms and address more chronic problems such as those listed above. Along with that, massage therapy, including that delivered by a premium massage chair, can provide proactive benefits: helping the body rid itself of toxins and stimulating the release of healthy enzymes.
Other Issues
What about the knot in your stomach that may result from tense, over-stressed muscles? Emotional pain or trauma can display itself in the abdomen. Massage can help relax those muscles, diminish pain and encourage normal bowel function. Feeling good as a path to feeling better, you might say.
Lingering Symptoms May Need Professional Care
Abdominal discomfort and bowel symptoms may indicate more serious issues. If you find that your symptoms return quickly or are not affected by massage, be sure to see your doctor to be sure you do not have some more serious underlying issue that needs professional assistance. Meanwhile, take the opportunity to explore what massage therapy can do for your abdominal health and comfort.
Of course a massage chair may or may not help with your specific issue so it’s good to check with your health care professional to see if they may suggest a massage chair for you.
“Can Massage Help With Digestion?” Elements Massage, 11 Oct. 2016, elementsmassage.com/blog/can-massage-help-with-digestion.
McIlwain, Oak. “Massage for Digestive System Health, Disorders & Problems.” Massage Freo – Oak McIlwain, 20 Sept. 2017, www.massagefreo.com.au/digestive-system-health/.
PCOM. “Massage for IBS & Constipation.” Pacific College, 18 Dec. 2017, www.pacificcollege.edu/news/blog/2015/01/17/massage-ibs-constipation.
