Are you looking to know what abdominal massage benefits you can experience at your next session?
Abdominal massage has been around for centuries, and its use was documented as far back as ancient Egypt. Nowadays, it has become a popular form of therapy for many individuals looking to improve their overall health.
This gentle form of massage focuses on the stomach, intestines, and other internal organs in the abdominal area. It's mostly delivered by professional massage therapists, and it's great for relieving muscular tension in the abdominal region.
It can also be used to treat various digestive health conditions that include constipation, cramps, gas pain, and bloating. Plus, it offers many additional benefits that you might not know about.
To help you learn more about them, we’ve put together a list of seven of the most important ones. You'll also learn how to maximize your massage session and get the most out of it.
Let's take a closer look.
Health Benefits of Abdominal Massage
Abdominal massage is a gentle and safe form of therapy and offers many potential benefits. Some of these include:
It helps to improve your digestive function
One of the obvious benefits of abdominal massage is that it helps improve digestion.
It does this by helping to relax your core muscles and tissues in the abdominal area, allowing more efficient digestion of food and the removal of waste products. What's more, it can also help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, which may be caused by stress or poor posture.
Digestive enzymes are also released during abdominal massage, which help break down food and absorb nutrients from it.
It boosts your immune system
Do you also know that abdominal massage can help boost your immune system?
Studies have shown that it can help increase the activity of white blood cells, which can help fight infection. Additionally, it can also help to reduce inflammation and stimulate the production of endorphins, which are hormones that help to regulate your mood and make you feel better.
Other potential benefits of abdominal massage include improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased energy levels.
Relieves emotional stress
Another great benefit of abdominal massage is that it can help relieve emotional tension and stress.
When you experience emotional distress, the muscles in your abdomen become tense and tight. This tension can lead to poor posture and the inability to digest your food properly.
Abdominal massage helps to release this tension, which can help alleviate feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, it also helps you feel more relaxed and balanced overall.
Helps prevent constipation
Do you often find yourself struggling with symptoms of constipation?
If so, an abdominal body massage could be just what you need.
It helps to improve the functioning of the digestive system and helps to move food more efficiently along the intestines. This is especially beneficial for people who suffer from chronic constipation or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
With regular abdominal massage, you can help reduce constipation and improve your overall digestive tract health.
You'll have better posture
If you suffer from poor posture, you could benefit from abdominal massage.
Our abdominal muscles play an important role in helping us maintain good posture.
However, if these muscles become weak or tight, it can cause our posture to suffer.
Treating your body to a massage can help relax your abdominal muscles, allowing them to become stronger and more flexible. This, in turn, can help you sit or stand taller and with better alignment.
You'll experience less menstrual pain
Perhaps one of the most interesting benefits of abdominal massage is that it can help reduce menstrual pain.
In women, the abdominal area is known to be a muscle-tense region during menstruation. Applying massage techniques can help relax this area and reduce levels of pain associated with the menstrual cycle.
In some cases, it can also help regulate periods and improve overall menstrual health. That's why getting regular abdominal massages is beneficial for all women.
Abdominal massage offers a wide range of health benefits.
Not only can it help to improve digestion and reduce menstrual bleeding, but it can also boost your immune system and help you maintain better posture. If you're looking for a way to take care of your body and mind, abdominal massage could be the perfect solution.
Now let's take a close look at just how you can maximize the benefits of abdominal massage.
Maximizing the Benefits of Abdominal Massage
While abdominal massage can offer many wonderful health benefits, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure that you are getting the most out of your massage.
Here are some before-and-after tips to help you make the most of your massage:
Before:
Preparing for your abdominal massage is important. Prior to your session, follow this checklist:
Hydrate
Just as with any form of massage, drinking plenty of water before your abdominal massage session is important.
This will help flush out toxins from your body and prepare it for the massage. What's more, if you are feeling especially dehydrated or tired, water can provide an extra burst of energy and help you feel more relaxed.
You can also opt for herbal teas or fresh juices before your massage, as these will help to further improve your digestion.
Eat something light
A second important step is to eat something light prior to your abdominal massage session.
This will provide you with more energy and help keep your digestive process running smoothly during the session.
Go for easy-to-digest foods, such as a banana, oatmeal, or a light salad. Avoid heavy meals before your massage session, as they can cause you to feel bloated and sluggish during the massage.
Warm your abdominal muscles
If you are looking to maximize the benefits of your abdominal massage, it is important to warm up your abdominal muscles before the session.
This can be done by doing some light stretching or taking a warm bath or shower. This will help to relax and loosen your abdominal muscles, making them more receptive to belly massage techniques.
It's also a great way to promote better blood flow in preparation for your stomach massage.
Wear loose clothing that makes it easy to access your abdominal area
When it comes to preparing for an abdominal massage, wearing loose clothing is key.
This will allow your massage therapist easy access to the abdomen, which is crucial for them to be able to work their massage techniques effectively.
If you are making use of abdominal self-massage tools like massage guns, even better. You will be able to access your abdomen with ease and get the best results from your massage session.
After:
Following your massage session, it's important to take some time to rest and replenish.
Here are a few tips for post-massage self-care:
Rehydrate
The importance of staying hydrated doesn't end after your massage session.
After your massage, be sure to drink plenty of water to help flush out toxins and replenish the fluids lost during the massage session. This will help keep you feeling refreshed and energized.
You can also opt for herbal teas or fresh juices after your belly massage, as these will help to further improve digestion and provide an extra boost of energy.
Practice deep breathing exercises
Practicing deep breathing exercises can be a great way to help relax your abdominal muscles after a massage session.
Deep breathing helps to stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for relaxation and calming the body.
To practice deep breaths, sit in a comfortable position with your feet on the floor and your hands resting on your stomach. Take a few moments to focus on your breath as you inhale deeply through your nose, filling your abdominal tissues with air.
Exhale slowly through your mouth, releasing all the body tension and feeling of stress that’s been built up within you. Continue to breathe deeply for a few minutes to help your abdominal muscles relax.
Get enough rest
Imagine your body as a car.
After a long drive, you may feel the need to take a break in order to refuel and rest.
Your body is no different. After an abdominal massage session, it's important to get enough rest so that your body can recharge and recover from the intensity of the massage.
Make sure to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night, and if possible, take a nap during the day as well. Also avoid any strenuous activity after your abdomen massage session, as this can put too much strain on your body and may cause soreness.
This will help you stay energized and ready for your next massage session.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know the real benefits of an abdominal massage, here are a few frequently asked questions to help you understand the process better.
Let us know if you have any other questions in the comments section!
Are benefits of abdominal massage specific to all massage techniques or just one?
The benefits of stomach abdominal massage are not specific to any single massage technique.
Different types of massage have their own unique techniques, and each can be beneficial in its own way. For example, Swedish massage is great for relaxation, deep tissue massage helps reduce muscle tension; and trigger point therapy can help relieve intestinal discomfort.
Each technique should be tailored to your individual needs and preferences.
How often should I get an abdominal massage to reap the full benefits?
Getting an abdominal massage is beneficial for your overall health and wellbeing.
However, it's important to consider the frequency of your massage sessions in order to experience the full benefits.
Ideally, you should aim for one or two abdominal massage sessions daily. This will ensure that the stomach muscles in your entire abdomen are given enough time to relax and heal between massages.
What's more, scheduling regular abdomen massage sessions can help reduce stress and improve your overall physical and mental health.
How long do the beneficial effects of abdominal massage last?
The beneficial effects of an abdominal massage can last for up to several days after the session.
Your body will continue to reap the benefits of the massage, such as improved blood circulation and relief of muscle spasms, even after the session is over. This means that you can significantly reduce abdominal discomfort and improve your overall wellbeing in just one session.
However, it's important to note that regular sessions are necessary in order to continue experiencing the long-term benefits of massage.
Conclusion
Now that you know what abdominal massage benefits you get to experience after a session, what are you waiting for?
Book an abdominal massage session and start to enjoy its many additional benefits for your physical and mental health. You can also make use of massage tools if you’re unable to make it to a professional masseuse.
Popular massage tools used for abdominal massage are foam rollers, yoga blocks, or massage guns. Fitness brands like Fusion Recovery make it even easier to enjoy abdominal massage therapy with an impressive line of massage guns.
With regular use, you can expect to experience improved function of your digestive organs, a boosted immune system, reduced menstrual cramps, and even less constipation. So, make sure to add it to your self-care routine today!
You can also maximize the benefits of your abdominal massage session by drinking plenty of water, practicing deep breathing exercises, and wearing loose-fitting clothing. Just ensure that you get enough rest and relaxation afterwards so that you don't feel too sore the next day.
Feel free to drop us a comment if you have any other questions about abdominal massage benefits or digestive issues.
