“I’ve tried everything for my stomach.”
Fiber. Probiotics. Cutting out dairy, then gluten, then whatever the latest list says. Some of it helps a little. But you’re still bloated by afternoon, still waiting days between bowel movements, still feeling like your belly is clenched.
Sometimes it isn’t just what you’re eating. It’s what’s happening in the belly itself.
What’s going on in there
Your digestive organs sit in a crowded space, wrapped and held in place by fascia and supported by your abdominal and pelvic muscles. They need to move. Your intestines push food along in slow waves called peristalsis, and they rely on good blood flow, lymph drainage and nerve signals to do it.
Things that can get in the way:
- Tension. Your belly is one of the first places your body braces under stress. A belly that’s always held tight is a belly that doesn’t move well.
- Scar tissue and adhesions. C-sections, appendectomies, laparoscopies and other abdominal surgeries can leave layers that pull and stick instead of glide.
- Posture and pelvic changes. Pregnancy, injury and years of sitting can change how the pelvis and abdominal organs are supported.
- Your nervous system. Digestion runs best in “rest and digest” mode. When you’re stuck on high alert, digestion is one of the first things your body puts on hold.
How Maya abdominal massage helps
Maya abdominal massage, as taught by Dr. Rosita Arvigo, is a gentle, external, hands-on technique. We work over the abdomen, low back and pelvis to ease tension, improve circulation and lymph flow, and help the organs settle back into their natural position and rhythm.
It’s slow, it’s gentle, and it’s done over the skin, never internally. Most people find it deeply relaxing.
Research on abdominal massage for constipation is still growing, but it’s encouraging. Studies have found it can ease constipation symptoms, increase how often you have bowel movements and help things move through more quickly.
What we work with
- Constipation and sluggish digestion
- Bloating and gas
- A belly that feels tight, guarded or “stuck”
- Abdominal scar tissue after surgery or a C-section
- Digestive symptoms that get worse with stress
You get homework (the good kind)
Every client learns the Arvigo self-care massage, a few minutes a day you can do at home between visits. It’s one of the things that makes this work last.
When to check with your doctor first
We’re massage therapists, not doctors, and we don’t diagnose. Talk with your provider before booking if you’ve had recent abdominal surgery, are pregnant, or have unexplained abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or unexplained weight loss.
I get it.
I know digestive issues well. I’ve dealt with SIBO for years, and Maya abdominal massage helps when mine is flaring.
Call 509.405.2642 to book your first visit.
Selected references and further reading
- Lämås K, Lindholm L, Stenlund H, Engström B, Jacobsson C. Effects of abdominal massage in management of constipation: a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2009;46(6):759–767.
- Sinclair M. The use of abdominal massage to treat chronic constipation. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 2011;15(4):436–445. Link
- McClurg D, Hagen S, Hawkins S, Lowe-Strong A. Abdominal massage for the alleviation of constipation in people with multiple sclerosis: a randomized controlled feasibility study. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 2011.
- Kayikci EE, Kocatepe V, Akyuz F, Can G. The effects of abdominal massage on the management of constipation: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Bezmialem Science, 2020;8(3).