Massage for Digestive Disorders

When stress is manifested physically in the abdominal are, massage and touch can bring the sense of safety and comfort needed to relax and relieve mild digestive disorders and abdominal discomfort.

Emotional tension can cause us to tighten our abdominal muscles and reduce our breathing in order to avoid the experience of painful or uncomfortable feelings. If we are unable to assimilate those emotions, or express them appropriately, they can manifest themselves as physical disorders, particularly playing havoc with the digestive system. Massage helps to deepen breathing, allowing the muscles to soften and expand, and to restore harmony.

All the strokes shown on the abdomen in the Body Massage section are suitable when stress is felt in this area. Reflexology, shiatsu, hands-on breaching techniques, self-massage and passive movements can also bring relief to simple digestive disorders.

Shiatsu Elimination Point

An important shiatsu point for the release of intestinal congestion is the one found on the web of skin between the thumb and index finger. The exact location is indicated by its tenderness to pressure. This point is known as Large Intestine 4, or in Chinese terms as "the Great Eliminator".

• Press gently on this point for up to five seconds, then release the pressure gradually.
• Abdominal pain can be a warning that there is disorder in the system, so always consult a doctor if it is persistent.
• Peppermint essential oil is particularly useful for digestive disorders. For self-massage place your hands on your abdomen and move your hands in a clockwise direction to encourage digestive and bowel action.

Holding and Breathing

Still, calm holds over the abdominal area will encourage deeper breathing, allowing the release of pent-up emotions and stress. The following holds will all help to promote relaxation and eliminate tension, enabling the digestive tract to function properly.

If your partner is under extreme stress and is experiencing abdominal discomfort, the best position is to lie sideways with the knees drawn up slightly. Pillows under the head and between the knees will create a feeling of security. Place one hand over the lower back and the other on the belly, and encourage slow, deep breathing from the abdomen. When the abdominal muscles are relaxed, rub the abdomen with gentle clockwise strokes.

With your partner lying down with knees raised, place one hand under the small of the back and ask that the weight of the pelvis be dropped towards your hand. Place your other hand over the abdomen so that its warmth helps to dissolve constriction in the muscles. Then ask your partner to direct breathing towards your hands and to imagine that each breath is helping the abdomen to expand and release tension. Keeping one hand under the pelvis, move hand to hold different parts of the abdomen.

Encourage deep but gentle breathing in the diaphragm and solar plexus region by placing one hand below the mid-back and the other over the top of the abdomen. This will encourage the release of tension that can lead to digestive problems. As the area relaxes, gently massage it with soft circular strokes of your palm.

Useful Essential Oils

For specific digestive complaints the following essential oils and blends may be useful:

• Constipation and pain: three drops each of ginger, orange, bergamot and clary sage
  
  
• Sluggish digestion: peppermint, juniper, rosemary
  
  
• Indigestion: drop of peppermint, three drops each of ginger, lemon and bergamot
  
  
• Flatulence: bergamot, fennel, ginger, lemon, marjoram, neroli, nutmeg, peppermint, rosemary
  
  
• Colicky pain: bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, ginger, cypress, lemon, orange, peppermint, sandalwood
  
  
• Constipation: fennel, ginger, marjoram, neroli, orange, peppermint, rose
  
  
• Diarrhoea: cypress, chamomile, ginger, lemon, orange, peppermint

Relieving Abdominal Cramp

Pushing the knees towards the abdomen can help to relieve tightness there. With your partner's knees bent so the feet are flat on the mattress, adjust your posture so that you can lean your weight forward as you perform this passive movement.

Slowly push the knees towards the trunk of the body, taking care not to force them beyond their natural point of resistance. Help to lower your partner's feet to the mattress, then repeat the movement twice more.