Tummy Troubles: Try The Healing Touch of Massage Therapy

Has your gut ever told you that something’s just not right? Something like stomach cramps or an overall bloated feeling? This time, maybe it's literally sending you a message - that you’re suffering from excessive gas, constipation, or other similar digestive issues. Here’s the truth: No matter what the gastric situation is, there is no denying that these digestive problems can be just downright annoying.

At some point in your life, you’ve probably suffered from one or even all of them. And, by now, you’re most likely familiar with the uncomfortable feeling that comes with tummy troubles and the corresponding list of medications that claim to solve them, too. But did you know that massage may also be considered therapeutic and provide relief for your digestive concerns? Yes, you read that right. Massage therapy may also prove to be quite helpful to people suffering from digestive issues.

How exactly can massage help? Let’s break it down, one point at a time.

Gastrointestinal function

Your digestive pathway is designed to seamlessly transport and process everything that you consume. From the moment you take in solids and liquids orally, your digestive system is activated to help you digest your favorite meal. This includes the wave-like motion called peristalsis that helps move food and liquids throughout the digestive tract, as well as chemical digestion (via secretion of acids) and intestinal absorption of nutrients.

With a home massage chair that comes with an automatic program or massage mode that aggressively targets acupoints on the back to help promote digestion, your body will surely thank you. One model that stands out for having this feature is BodyFriend's premium model, the REX-L massage chair. This chair is equipped with patented and clinically tested massage modes such as the Lymphatic Mode, Digestive Mode and Brain Massage Mode.

Related: 3 Benefits of Massage Therapy For People Suffering From Migraines

Inconvenient imbalances

Now, what if something goes wrong? Say, a medicine you took has an undesirable gut side-effect. Well, then that’s when the tummy troubles arise. Instances such as indigestion, bloating, and excessive gas arises when certain physiological factors that impede your digestive process. Similarly, your bowels may also be affected when the intestines take a much longer time to move.

A non-medicinal alternative

So, can massage help? You bet. Apparently, several studies have found massage therapy to be a reliable method when it comes to alleviating digestive issues.

First, massage therapy may help improve digestive function by stimulating peristaltic movement within your digestive tract. That is, it helps restore the natural wave-like movement in your gut which often gets impeded when you get digestive problems. And you know what else happens as massage therapy gets things going in your gut? If you thought of excessive gas and bloating, then you’re correct.

As the movement within your digestive system normalizes in response to massage therapy, excess air or gas which are trapped inside your gut also get moved around and freed up. This gas movement, in turn, allows you to pass it naturally and thereby be relieved of the bloated feeling, the pain, and the overall discomfort that it causes. In other words, getting a relaxing massage may also help you manage bloating and other excessive gas-related digestive concerns.

Bowels giving you a hard time? 

A study shows that you may also turn to massage therapy for relief. A gentle and non-invasive method, massage therapy helps relax your stomach and digestive muscles. This, in turn, facilitates regular bowel movement so you won't have to resort to laxatives when dealing with constipation.

Here's another way massage therapy may help when it comes to digestive issues. You know how when you are stressed-out or anxious, you feel queasy and your stomach is literally all out of sorts? Guess what? A good old massage session can ease those kinds of stress-induced tummy troubles, too. By lowering cortisol levels in your body, massage therapy induces relaxation and turns off your body's fight or flight response which gets prolonged in a stressful event.

The result? Tension in the muscles of your arms, legs, neck, and back are gone. Your body shifts into a relaxed state. And your digestive issues get soothed, too.

Related: 5 Ways Massage Chair Therapy Can Help in Weight Loss

Professional perspective

So, what's the bottom line? When it comes to digestive issues and tummy troubles, massage therapy may be a reliable alternative that can provide you real relief and comfort even if it’s just a quick session. And if the discomfort persists? Seeking medical advice is still the best course of action, especially if the problems tend to linger or recur. As much as possible, try to find if underlying reasons are causing your digestive issues.

Now, if your trusted healthcare professional gives you the go-signal, and for as long as you have no other medical issues or complications, you can go ahead and enjoy that well-deserved massage.

So, to conclude:

Massage therapy has been widely known to bring about several health benefits. Aside from providing pain relief, it can help your body transition into a more relaxed state, allowing its multiple systems to perform their normal functions. Its effect on your digestive system is of no exception.

So, whether you opt to do it yourself, find a therapist, or make use of a massage chair, this method, combined with a healthy lifestyle, adequate hydration, and proper nutrition, can definitely help keep your tummy troubles at bay.