"Abdominal massage can increase the frequency of defecation, reduce the symptoms of difficulty in defecation,
improve stool properties, and positively affect the quality of life of patients with constipation.
Hence, abdominal massage therapy shows definite therapeutic efficacy for functional constipation,
providing a more specific plan for clinical treatment."
- Efficacy of Abdominal Massage Study, PubMed, National Library of Medicine

Abdominal + Visceral Massage

Abdominal + Visceral Massage is a gentle, hands-on manual therapy used to help your internal organs (viscera) and digestive system glide smoothly within your body. It can be used to treat abdominal pain, constipation, cramps, indigestion, and much more. 
 
Your internal organs are surrounded by connective tissue that holds them in place in the body. Healthy connective tissue should move easily to allow organs to slide on each other when you rotate or flex your torso. This connective tissue should be loose enough to allow your stomach to expand when you eat, your lungs to open and accept air, and your intestines to constrict and relax to move waste to your colon.
 
Congested or inflamed connective tissue impedes these small but significant movements. This creates abdominal (visceral) discomfort and dysfunction and can lead to restricted movement and pain in other parts of the body.

Scar Tissue + Adhesions in the Abdomen

Your thoracic and abdominal viscera control your breathing, digestion, immune system, reproductive system, and hormonal response.

​The human body is a complex system with many interconnected subsystems, all working together to help you thrive. When one of those systems is compromised in any way, the body compensates.
 
Inflammation from illness or trauma can thicken and tighten the fascial network that supports nearby organs. If an organ gets shifted due to a specific trauma, such as a fall or chronic digestive issues, it may get “stuck,” creating restrictions in your movement and dysfunction in the organ.
Surgeries, including c-sections and abdominoplasties, can also create adhesions in the viscera. As a surgical scar heals, the connective tissue supporting the skin can start to bind with deeper tissues, creating a pattern of restriction that can extend far beyond the original incision. (Post-operative Lymphatic Drainage works well prior to this work)

What does Abdominal Massage look like?

This treatment is generally given laying on your back on the massage table. Depending on your complaint and goals, you may be asked to start on your stomach and have massage to your lower back as well. Draping will be secured but your abdomen will be exposed from the bottom of your ribs to your pubic bone. 

This treatment is slow and often soothing. Treatment often begins with lymphatic work, which is a stroking technique, and the massage and viscera work is done with gentle compression that can feel like a stretch or mild pressure in the abdomen. This stretching and compression may result in some mild warmth or tingling to the area due to increased blood flow. Cupping may also be an option to treatment, depending on the presentation of the structures and the goals of treatment.

Does Abdominal Massage really work?

Abdominal + Visceral massage has been shown to be effective for a large number of health concerns. Because this treatment can be used to treat such a wide variety of conditions, it is beneficial to most everyone, from children to seniors! Our day-to-day lives and circumstances can often cause tissue restrictions and bodily imbalances over time.

Abdominal + visceral massage can address those restrictions and imbalances and promote the body’s healing with:
  • Digestive disorders (GERD, nausea, constipation, etc.)
  • accelerate waste removal / constipation
  • improve blood circulation to and from the organs
  • Women's health (painful menses, dysmenorrhea, menopause)
  • reduces pain and bloating
  • may enhance hormone production
  • Post-operative and post-infection scar work
  • Overall health and wellness
  • stomach, intestines and pancreas are better able to convert food into energy
  • allows the diaphragm to contract more fully
  • potentially increases lung capacity and strengthens respiration
  • reinforces the ability of the liver and kidney to detoxify waste products in the blood

Are there any side effects?

Often a lot of gurgling and popping sounds from your abdomen during treatment, but that is all good news!

​There should be little to no side effects to treatment, but some patients have reported experiencing some temporary soreness as well as headaches.

Who should NOT have this treatment?

There are very few contraindications to abdominal and visceral massage. Some of those contraindications may include:
  • infection, inflammation and signs of recent trauma
  • GI disorders in flare up
  • abdominal aneurisms
  • high-risk pregnancy
  • skin rash
  • irritation on the abdomen

* Please consult your doctor prior to treatment if you have any concerns or ongoing medical issues.​

Before you begin your treatment

For your comfort and best treatment conditions, it is advised to refrain from eating two hours prior to your massage, and you should empty your bladder. Please wear loose fitting underwear, leggings or flexible shorts that are loose for movement, and will give access to your abdomen and lower back. 

​Read More about  Lymphatic Drainage Massage  |  Post-Operative MLD  |  Scar Tissue Treatment  |  Pelvic Floor Massage​

History

​Eastern and indigenous healers alike regard the woman’s core, particularly her uterus, as the center of her being. In their cultures they similarly address the abdominal area with massage and movements to ensure that the uterus is aligned and the pelvic region is in balance. If it’s ever misaligned, they believe, everything else in her life will be off balance. These practitioners also consider the abdomen very important in treating anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic stress and other mental health conditions, and believe that abdominal massage directly improves mental and emotional well-being.
​NOTE: If you are interested in this specific treatment, please book a regular massage for whichever time suits you, and this will be incorporated into your session.
Visit my RESOURCES page for stretching + exercise videos, health care providers in our area and interesting articles. 
Research:
- Efficacy of Abdominal Massage Study, PubMed, National Library of Medicine

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Anne the RMT

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