Benefits of massage, abdominal massage

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Massage, abdominal massage also known as stomach massage. This is a gentle, non-invasive treatment and offers many health benefits such as relaxation, reducing belly fat, assisting in the treatment of digestive problems, bloating, constipation, etc. ..

1. Benefits of abdominal massage

According to the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA), massage therapy has many positive effects on people's physical and mental health. It is said to be the solution to improve overall health. The benefits of abdominal massage include:
1.1 Relieves Constipation Abdominal massage can help relax the stomach, thereby stimulating digestion and relieving constipation. One study looked at the effects of abdominal massage on constipation after surgery. The results showed that those who received abdominal massage reduced symptoms of constipation, had more bowel movements, easier with a shorter time, ... compared to those who did not receive massage.
Abdominal massage has also been shown to have positive effects on the quality of life of people with constipation. To enhance the benefits of abdominal massage, you can incorporate essential oils into your massage therapy.
To relieve constipation, you can also press the acupressure points after performing the massage:
Qi Hai (CV6): The distance below the navel is equal to the width of 2 fingers; Center point (CV12): Located along the middle of the body, about halfway between the navel and the rib cage. However, you need to be careful not to acupressure if you are pregnant.
1.2 Improve Digestive Function A study done in 2018 looked at the impact of abdominal massage on digestive problems of intubated patients. Those who received a 15-minute abdominal massage twice a day for 3 days had significantly improved symptoms compared with those who did not receive massage. In addition, the massage group also reduced the amount of liquid in the stomach, reduced the waist circumference and improved constipation.
1.3 Reduces Bloating A 2015 study found that abdominal massage was effective in treating some symptoms of fluid retention (common in people undergoing cancer treatment) in the abdominal cavity. In this study, patients received a 15-minute abdominal massage twice a day for 3 days. The results showed that people who received massage had lower levels of abdominal bloating, reduced depression and anxiety compared to those who did not receive massage. However, abdominal massage did not improve other symptoms such as nausea, pain, and fatigue.

1.4 Relieves menstrual pain A study in 2005 found that abdominal massage was very effective in reducing menstrual pain and cramps. Women who received a 5-minute massage a day for 6 days before their period experienced significantly lower levels of pain and cramping than women who did not. However, this study was only small in size on 85 women, so more studies are needed to confirm the effect of abdominal massage in the treatment of menstrual pain.
Combining the use of essential oils for abdominal massage can bring more benefits than massage alone. Using essential oils helps reduce friction during massage and helps to relax. In addition, they also help reduce menstrual pain and bleeding.
1.5 Other benefits In addition to the above benefits, abdominal massage also helps:
Support weight loss; Helps to relax; Helps strengthen abdominal muscles, firmer body; Release muscle spasms; Reduce physical and emotional stress; Increased blood flow to the abdomen; Beneficial for the abdominal organs.

2. Is abdominal massage safe?

Basically, abdominal massage is safe for most people, as long as it's done gently and safely. Some notes for safe abdominal massage include:
Do not massage your abdomen if you have just had abdominal surgery; Talk to your doctor before massaging your abdomen if you are pregnant or have any health concerns; It is best not to eat heavy or spicy food for a few hours before and after abdominal massage; Drink plenty of water after the massage.

3. Proper abdominal massage technique

To self-massage your abdomen, you should follow these instructions:
Lie on your back and expose your belly; Place your hands on your lower abdomen, focusing on your breathing; Rub your hands together for about 30 seconds to warm up your palms; Apply any essential oils you are using on your belly; Use the palm of your hand to massage the entire abdomen in a clockwise direction several times; Massage the center line of the abdomen, starting from below the sternum to the pubic bone; Massage along 3 lines about 2.5cm apart from top to bottom left abdomen; Massage along 3 lines about 2.5cm apart from top to bottom right abdomen; Press your fingers into the navel; Continue massaging with gentle force, in a circle from the navel outward in a clockwise direction; You can spend more time massaging for specific areas or points that need extra attention; Abdominal massage for up to 20 minutes. If you do not feel relaxed when you massage yourself, you can ask for a professional abdominal massage service.
Abdominal massage is a low-risk treatment option that helps improve some health conditions such as constipation, bloating, digestive disorders, menstrual pain,... If any serious condition is present or any symptoms become severe after abdominal massage, you need to see a doctor immediately for examination and advice.

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Reference source: healthline.com