Chronic back pain? Chronic fatigue? Weak metabolism or digestive imbalances? Tight hips? Do you sit a lot (office work, driving, aesthetician)? Abdominal scar tissue?
Have you considered abdominal massage?
Many clients come with an intention to relieve back pain, especially lower back or hip pain but might be hesitant that I touch or approach their issues by treating the abdomen.
In my twelve years as a massage therapist, I’ve given serval abdominal massages, but often it takes time to get to that point with a client. If you’ve received an initial treatment from me, perhaps I’ve offered abdominal massage for a subsequent session. I don’t necessarily offer it to a new client, since your body and nervous system are experiencing my treatment for the first time, and my hands and perception are learning and building an awareness of your body. Sometimes, if both myself and the client feel ok, I have approached the belly in a first session, but usually I suggest it for a subsequent session.
In general, most clients are dehydrated and have poor circulation & collapsed breathing posture, chronic stiffness and come in with the same request as before. I prefer that my clients find long-term relief, rather than need to rely on always coming back for the same issues. However, that being said, working with me is a two-way collaboration: I can apply my knowledge and facilitate shifts in your body, while I invite you to observe where you can bring change in your lifestyle that might be creating or perpetuating the patterns in the body that are causing these issues. It’s great to get a massage and I fully believe in the maintenance and preventative bodywork – however, often I see people for the same issues. I would love to bring you to a new place in your wellness journey – I invite you to explore this approach.
Why abdominal massage?
There are numerous benefits. Massage on tense parts of the body like the shoulders or glutes can be uncomfortable, and the abdomen is the same – if we continue avoiding touch altogether, we will never face the discomfort and see what could lie beyond it.
“The abdominal cavity contains fifteen crucial organs that supports the creation and management of energy – umbilicus, heart, pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, bladder, lungs, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, Pakwashaya (large intestine including pelvic colon) and Purishadhara (the cecum).
Within the abdominal cavity the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine manage the cycle of food consumption, assimilation, and elimination. These organs remain quite busy through the day taking critical decisions about the secretion of chemicals in order to break down food optimally, to help get the food absorbed, separate the pure from the impure, and send the remainder for elimination.
Ancient healing traditions often emphasize the profound energetic link between the heart and the abdominal cavity. Within this sacred space, the organs work harmoniously to discern and transmute the pure essence, transforming it into vital life force that courses through our being. This life force not only impacts our physical body but also influences the development of our thoughts, the nourishment of our mind, and the expansion of our soul.” Spirit of Anānda
From an Ayurvedic lens, of which I am most influenced, abdominal massage:
👐🏾 promotes overall well-being by balancing fire (Agni) and harmonizing the body systems
👐🏾 restores balance by relieving congestion in the abdominal-pelvic region
👐🏾 improves digestion by stimulating enzymatic functions and peristalsis
👐🏾 eliminates toxins and promotes detoxification
👐🏾 provides relief from constipation, decreases bloating
👐🏾 overall the gut can operate more efficiently, fulfilling its function
👐🏾 managing dysmenorrhea & regulating menstruation
👐🏾 post-partum restorative care
👐🏾 scar tissue support after surgery: emotional & physical liberation
Through conscious, intentional touch and traditional techniques, abdominal massage can provide the entire body, especially the nervous system with great relaxation. As the practitioner, I hold space, create a mindful connection to the body and guide you through gentle breathing exercises that facilitates my work.
From a somatic lens, the belly holds our emotions. So much (information) of what we experience and process throughout any given day on earth, is processed through our organ systems…starting with the gut-heart connection that informs the brain and nervous system. The gut is constantly processing the world around us, and it is here that emotions (energy in motion) can get trapped. Through mindful touch, and breathe awareness during an abdominal massage, a lot of chronic tension and long held trauma can find a way to be liberated.
And from a purely physical, Western, physiological perspective, yes, for most people, the abdomen is an area that gets compressed the most, after our neck and spine. The seated or flexed posture that most modern humans spend most of their day in, attributes to a collapse of this very important cavity…often creating restriction through the diaphragm, core and lower abdomen at the groin crease. The closing off of this vital space that our body actually needs to remain open for the organs to do their job, often creates a ripple of symptoms through the digestive and respiratory tracts, the hips, the low back and then translates up to our shoulders and neck. It’s all connected.
For someone who has experienced abdominal surgery, especially women who have had a c-section, the scars can be the last thing you address amidst your post-partum journey. I’ve worked with women who receive their first abdominal session, decades after the c-section…decades of holding so much emotion from their birthing story, decades of chronic physical pain (back, hip, digestive) stemming from this unprocessed trauma.
Specific application of massage and fascial techniques can help to reduce the adhesions from poor posture or surgery and open up the space, inspiring greater mobility of the tissues and spaces between organs so they can function more optimally and encourage a higher quality of breathing. The last image is from a workshop on fascial approaches to pelvic care – which is very much connected and related to what’s happening in our abdominal cavity.
If you would like to explore this unique and effective approach to your wellness and addressing your chronic issues, I invite you to book an abdominal massage. I weave techniques and approaches from my various paths of study: Ayurveda, Swedish and Thai massage, myofascial release, scar tissue therapy, somatic therapy, Biofield Tuning, reflexology & herbalism.
Please note that this may include addressing the lower abdomen, just below the navel to the pubic bone. You will be draped and I check in with you and we collaborate through breath and communication.
You can book directly here where it is listed under Specialized Therapies.
Thanks for your trust in my work.
“With a more relaxed belly, you will finally be free of those constant nagging pains and inconvenient injuries, and you will free up your natural ability to move. If you can contact the center, clear it of toxicity and gather positive energy into it, your movement will spring forth and the grace and power that you have always desired.” (130 Post, Cavaliere)
CONTRAINDICATIONS
Belly massage should be avoided in the following situations*:
- Fever and active infection
- Pregnancy (there is a specific approach to treating the prenatal belly during a prenatal session)
- Liver disorders, gallstones, stomach ulcers
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease in the inflammatory phase
- Significant undiagnosed stomach pain
- Recent surgery on the abdomen
It should be noted that the massage therapist always collects information from the client before starting the session. This information is used, among other things, to identify any contraindications to the massage. In doing so, the massage therapist can refer the client to the appropriate medical resource or adjust the treatment accordingly to ensure safety.
*If you have a digestive system disorder, it is recommended that you obtain the approval of your doctor before receiving a belly massage. The approach is complementary and is not intended to replace medical expertise.
References
Unwinding the Belly. 2003. Allison Post & Stephen Cavaliere
Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom. 2017. Acharya Shunya
Esoteric Anatomy. 1998. Bruce Burger.
The Complete Illustrated Guide to Reflexology. 1996. Inge Dougans
