An abdominal massage is a gentle form of massage, focusing on relaxing and healing the muscles surrounding the abdomen.
A range of techniques can be used by a massage therapist, all of which are painless and non-invasive. You can get an abdominal massage to treat a number of symptoms including constipation, bloating and muscle tightness.
Abdominal massage can have a positive effect on both physical and mental wellbeing, allowing clients to find relief from pain and anxiety relating to the stomach, digestive system and reproductive organs including the pelvic floor.
Before exercise or competition, muscles are more likely to be tight. Tight muscles can restrict range of movement and flexibility. An abdominal massage helps to relax and loosen muscle tightness so that restriction is decreased and range of movement and flexibility is increased. An increase in range of movement and flexibility helps to reduce the chances of injury. When range of movement is restricted, injuries such as pulls, tears and stains are more likely to occur during short bursts of movement. An increased range of movement allows the muscle to stretch further and more quickly during activity so that damage does not occur.
A common technique used during an abdominal massage is deep strokes. Deep strokes are performed with flattened hands and fingers. Deep strokes are used to get deep into the muscle tissues so a firm pressure is applied. Deep strokes help to decrease pain by reducing muscle tightness and increasing tissue elasticity. Tight muscles are loosened to reduce restriction which may be causing pain during movement. Muscle tissues are also loosened and stretched so that elasticity is increased to help flexibility. Increasing tissue elasticity further reduces restriction. Reducing muscle tightness and increasing tissue elasticity through an abdominal massage allows a person to have an increased range of movement without pain.
Skin rolling is used during an abdominal massage. Skin rolling is where skin is picked up and rolled between the fingers and thumbs. Skin rolling is an effective way of relieving the tightness of muscle and fascia. Fascia is located beneath the skin and is a thin layer of connective tissues that can create restriction when tight. Skin rolling helps to increase the temperature of muscles and fascia to help them stretch and loosen to relieve tightness and restriction. By reducing tightness and restriction, skin rolling also helps to reduce muscular pain.
Wringing is a common technique used during an abdominal massage. Wringing involves picking up the muscle tissues from each side of the abdomen and pulling it in opposite directions towards the centre. Pressure is adjusted from light to firm within wringing. Wringing helps to relax and stretch the muscles within the abdomen, relieving any muscle tightness, tension and stress.
A technique used during an abdominal massage is kneading. Kneading is where soft tissues within muscles are slowly pulled and squeezed. Kneading helps to improve blood and lymph flow to loosen tissues. Blood and lymph flow are both increased as muscle temperature rises due to the pulling and squeezing actions of the soft tissues. Improving blood and lymph flow helps to increase cellular exchange in the tissues as there is a rise in the quantity of oxygen and nutrients to be provided to the muscles that can be exchanged for metabolic wastes. Increasing cellular exchange results in a decrease of muscular fatigue and aids in the maintenance of stronger and healthier muscles. Connective tissues are also loosened as muscle temperature increases. Pulling on the tissues helps them to stretch and increase in elasticity resulting in a decrease of restriction. Decreasing restriction increases range of movement and decreases pain.
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