Stomach Massage for Constipation: Can It Help?

Gently massaging the abdominal area in certain ways may promote digestion and bowel movement. Our experts explain whether it really works and how to do it.

July 18, 2024

Officially, per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), you may be constipated if you find it difficult to have a bowel movement, or they happen less than three times per week. How constipation feels for you can be very personal—you may pass stools that are hard, dry, or lumpy, you may struggle to pass any stool at all, or you may feel that not all stool has passed.

“The normal range of bowel function is three times a day to three times a week—a broad range!” says Judith Meer, an orthopedic and pelvic doctor of physical therapy, who has a private pelvic floor physical therapy practice in Hoboken, NJ, and Burlington, VT. “Really, what someone should be looking for is whether their symptoms are a big change from their usual routine and if it is accompanied by other issues, like discomfort and bloating.”

Full Article on "HealthCentral" "ILU" Self-Massage Technique for Abdominal Discomfort

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