Let's Talk Tummies

One aspect of my full body massage that sparks a lot of intrigue from my clients is the abdomen massage. It seems that a lot of massage therapist choose to simply skip this area. I get why - arranging the towels is more complicated and takes more care, and our bellies can sometimes feel vulnerable, too. It’s often an area of our bodies we feel less confident about, and that we tend to keep protected as a natural act of self-preservation.

So, why do I include it? Quite simply, because it matters.

Abdominal massage can offer a range of therapeutic benefits for the digestive system and overall well-being. The massage strokes follow the natural route of the digestive tract, stimulating the intestinal muscles to work effectively. The massage encourages blood-flow to the digestive organs, enriching the delivery of essential oxygen to them. The abdomen also contains a large concentration of lymph nodes, and gentle massage can help stimulate lymphatic circulation, aiding in detoxification and immune support.

Most importantly, the gentle pressure of an abdominal massage can stimulate the vagus nerve, encouraging the body into a natural ‘rest and digest’ state. I’m sure you’ve heard of the ‘fight or flight’ response. It’s when our nervous system triggers involuntary physiological changes that can help prepare us to deal with imminent danger, real or perceived. The trouble is, if we have a lot of stress in our lives, we can find ourselves stuck in a semi-permanent state of alarm, resulting in an elevated heart rate, muscle tension, and digestive issues, to name a few.

The vagus (wandering) nerve is the largest nerve in the body, comprising of two main branches (left and right) running all the way from the brain stem to the key internal organs of the body. Stimulating the vagus nerve wakes up the parasympathetic nervous system, which encourages the body and mind to calm down. The heart rate slows, muscles relax, and digestion improves. The vagus nerve also plays an important role in the regulation of certain hormones in the body, including cortisol which is a potent stress hormone thought to increase weight-gain, weaken your immune system and disturb your sleep.

Almost without exception, my clients love the abdominal part of their treatment. Those experiencing it for the first time are usually pleasantly surprised by how relaxing and comforting it feels. I tailor every massage to your specific needs and preferences, and if it’s not for you, that’s absolutely fine. But I do encourage you to give it a try. We often hold more tension in our bellies than we realise, so, tend to your tummy and your body will truly thank you.

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