Massage is viewed by many as a luxury. But reality is that massage is really a necessity to long term health. At OSR we do offer massage therapy in Kailua and most people think massage is just to make us feel relaxed or feel better after activity. However there a multiple benefits of massage.
- Improved circulation
- Reduced inflammation
- Enhances immunity
- Lowers blood pressure
The list goes on and on, but one benefit of massage that you do not hear about often is its ability to make you “go”, or relieve constipation.
With the holiday season being in full swing we are eating a lot of rich delicious foods we probably do not often eat. This change in our diet can bring a sudden change in our gastro intestinal activities as well. What this can often lead to is a feeling of constipation.
While hydration, proper diet, and exercise can keep your bowel movements regular, you can do abdominal massages to relieve moments of constipation. However, massage is not intended to be a cure for constipation, it is simply a method that can be used to try and relieve one’s self. If you have continued constipation seek advice of a medical professional or use over the counter remedies.
The basics of an abdominal massage are relatively simple. You essentially want to move any blockages in the colon. In the most simple form you want to use two to three fingers on both hands (depending on size of abdomen) and with light pressure stroke the colon in a clock wise direction. Some theories suggest starting at the ascending colon, through the transverse colon, and down the descending colon. I however subscribe to the theory that you should start at the bottom of the descending colon to remove any blockages and then make my way to the transverse colon and the ascending colon. Either way will work so long as you are stroking the blockages in a clock wise direction. Repeat these steps for 3-5 minutes. You may repeat this massage several times a day. You may find that you find this type of massage actually very relaxing. It may relieve some pressure right away but most people see results a few hours to a day later.
I understand that few people actually want to talk about constipation. But the reality is that it happens. As a mother this is one of the best massages I have ever learned in my practice as I will sometimes do anything to make my babies go. The best part of this massage however is that you can perform in on yourself, on others, directly on the skin, and even over clothes. For more reference you can refer to YouTube for multiple tutorials. I have included one that I found to be similar to what I learned in school https://youtu.be/RWFg0ODAQvE regarding infant massage. However the same methods can be applied to anyone with the only difference being the amount of pressure.
Here at OSR we can help you find a program that best fits the problems that you’re having. Contact us if you have any other questions!