Why abdominal massage

Our abdomens are home to several of our most vital organs. Such vitality, such instinct, such essential function. And yet, Western culture has taught us to treat our stomachs as an outlet for disdain. So many of us carry some complexity in our relationship with our stomachs.

Abdominal massage is one way to begin changing that relationship. Its benefits span both the physical and the emotional.

The Physical Benefits

Digestion. Abdominal massage has the most research behind it for constipation, where studies show it can help increase the frequency of bowel movements and ease related symptoms. Many people also find relief from bloating and general digestive discomfort. And honestly, it just feels good. It is a relief to have a practitioner who is confident and comfortable working with such a vulnerable area.

The gut-brain connection. The gut and brain are in constant communication, and much of the body's serotonin (the feel-good neurotransmitter) is produced in the gut. While research on how touch impacts this system is still emerging, many people find abdominal work deeply calming.

Breath. Your diaphragm attaches to your lower ribs and can hold a surprising amount of tension, which can limit full, easy breathing. By focusing bodywork on the diaphragm and ribs, we can work directly with the structures involved and help release what may be getting in the way of a deeper breath.

The Emotional Benefits

Now let's talk about the softer, more nuanced side of abdominal work. The more vulnerable side.

We live in a society that constantly tells us something is wrong with our stomachs. That softness is unacceptable. That we must shrink in order to be loved, to be accepted, to be worthy. That the only way to deserve space is to take up as little of it as possible.

And yet, there is an inner knowing we carry deep in our abdomens. A gut feeling when something is off. A pull to listen. We can often ignore these messages, but they are still there, asking for our attention.

When we give our abdomens permission to receive a listening touch, and allow our vulnerabilities to be nourished and witnessed, something can begin to shift in our relationship with our own bodies. When our softness is held in presence, without the message that it needs to be something different, many people find a healing that is beyond words.

Practical Details of Abdominal Massage

Let's say all this sounds good. You're interested. You're excited to try something different, something that can help you relax and might, alongside your medical care, ease some of your stomach discomfort. Okay, so here are the practical details.

What to expect on the mat. 95% of my bodywork sessions are done over clothing, and abdominal massage is the exception. For this treatment, I need access to your skin. Treatments are done on my mat on the floor, and you'll be lying on your back with a bolster under your knees for comfort. Only the skin being worked on is exposed, and you do not need to change into anything different. I place a towel over your clothing to protect it from the oil. If getting up and down from the floor is difficult, let me know and we'll find a way to make it work. 

The herbal compress. I start each abdominal treatment with a hot Thai herbal compress to warm the area. It gives your stomach a gentle first layer of contact before my hands, which helps your nervous system settle and the abdomen begin to relax. [I check the temperature with you before placing it.]

The oil. The oil I use is a traditional Thai formula that I make myself, a blend of castor oil, sesame oil, mustard seed oil, and coconut oil. It is soothing and nourishing on the skin. If you have allergies or sensitive skin, especially to sesame, mustard, or coconut, please note it on your intake form and I will happily use a different oil.

The touch itself. The techniques I use depend entirely on what is happening in your system. The pace is slow, intentional, and attuned. I feel, I listen, and I move in accordance with what your abdomen is communicating. I wait for shifts, like a softening, a deeper breath, or a gurgle of digestion. No two sessions are the same, but there is a rhythm to how we move through it.

Slow, intentional, attuned. And you are in charge. My only rule on the mat is that I want you to tell me if something doesn't feel right or if you want something different. That goes for the abdomen too.

Timing. Stomach work is most often done at the end of your treatment time. It is a vulnerable area, and doing this work last gives your body time to adjust to my touch first. Most abdominal work I do is between 15 and 30 minutes, which is what I have found to be most impactful, and it is always open to adjusting if you want more or less. 

What you might notice. Some people feel warmth, relaxation, or a deeper breath. Your stomach may make noises, which is normal and nothing to be embarrassed about. Emotions can come up too, like tears, tenderness, or memories, and they are welcome but never required. Some sessions are simply quiet.

Is Abdominal Massage Right for You?

If any of this resonates with you, I would like to encourage you to give it a try. There is something deeply nourishing about this work that is hard to put into words. It is one of those things that needs to be felt. Needs to be experienced. Needs to be allowed to land in your system.

That said, abdominal massage isn't right for everyone. Please check with your doctor first if you are pregnant, have had recent abdominal surgery, or live with an inflammatory bowel condition, a hernia, or other abdominal concerns.

If you're curious about adding abdominal massage into your wellness routine, I would love to support you. I work with women (men by referral only) out of my office in Oregon City, OR, who are looking to shift their relationship with their bodies. To view upcoming availability, please visit booking link.