Do you find our website to be helpful?
Yes   No
Skip to main content

I Should Get A Massage Where?!

You’ve heard of the benefits of massage on your back, shoulders, legs, feet, arms and hands, relieving tension and aches, softening muscles and assuaging pain. You may have heard that a head and scalp massage can relieve headaches.

However, there is one part of the body that rarely gets the massage attention it really deserves - your belly. Dr. Gaston and Metropolitan Gastroenterology Consultants is here to explain why getting an abdominal massage - or giving yourself one - is a big benefit to your health.

An abdominal massage can:

If you’re pregnant or have had a surgical or weight loss procedure on your abdomen, talk to Dr. Gaston or your primary care physician about abdominal massage.

While getting a professional massage feels wonderful, knowing how to give yourself an abdominal massage is very useful when you frequently experience constipation, gas or digestive system pain.

To give yourself a belly massage:

1) Lie flat on your back.

2) Place your hands below your naval and concentrate on taking deep breaths, filling your whole belly.

3) Rub your hands together to warm them and, if you’d like, apply a cinnamon, rose or lavender oil.

4) Rub your entire stomach with the palm of your hand, using a clockwise motion. Make several rotations.

5) Beginning just below your sternum, massage the center of your abdomen downwards, ending at your pubic bone.

6) Starting again at the top of your belly, move your palm about an inch to the left and massage downwards. Repeat two more times, moving about an inch to the left further each time.

7) Repeat this sequence on the right side.

8) Starting at your naval, press fingers firmly into your belly and massage with gentle pressure in a circular, clockwise direction outwards.

9) When you notice areas that feel more cramped or painful, spend extra time massaging there.

Just like a body massage, an abdominal massage has significant benefits - for your physical health and emotional wellbeing. Give your belly a treat with a massage!

Questions about what’s best for your digestive health or about abdominal massage? Click "make an appointment" or call Dr. Gaston at 773-238-1126. We are always happy to help.

You Might Also Enjoy...

4 Tips to Manage IBS at Work

You’re in the middle of a presentation and suddenly realize you need a bathroom — now! Everyone with IBS has faced this and other embarrassing moments. Here’s how to get through your workday without losing your dignity.
When to Worry About Heartburn

When to Worry About Heartburn

Chest pain can be terrifying. Although heartburn has nothing to do with your ticker, it can mimic cardiac conditions and damage your digestive tract. Here’s when to seek help for heartburn.
How to Prepare for Your First Colonoscopy

How to Prepare for Your First Colonoscopy

Colonoscopies are life-saving screening tests that can spot colon cancer before it gets out of hand. If you’ve scheduled your first-ever colonoscopy, here’s how to ensure it’s accurate and avoid a redo.
Complications of Ulcerative Colitis to Know

Complications of Ulcerative Colitis to Know

You know ulcerative colitis is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease that causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding. But do you know what can happen if you don’t seek treatment? Get to know the UC’s far-reaching health effects.
Will Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ever Go Away on Its Own?

Will Irritable Bowel Syndrome Ever Go Away on Its Own?

If you have IBS, the constipation, diarrhea, cramps, and bloating can wear on your body, mind, and spirit — is there any end in sight? Keep reading to discover the most effective treatments and whether there’s hope for an IBS-free life.
When to Schedule Your Next (or First) Colonoscopy

When to Schedule Your Next (or First) Colonoscopy

The thought of getting a colonoscopy ranks right up there with a root canal and bikini waxing, but dealing with colorectal cancer is much worse. When was your last colonoscopy? Here’s a handy timeline to keep you on track.