Massage Therapy for IBS!

What is IBS?

Even though the cause of IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is not known, there are ways to help relieve the pain. IBS is a sensitivity of the intestines which may be caused by diet, antibiotics, stress, and genetics.

Symptoms:

• Bloating
• Diarrhea
  
• Constipation
  
• Mucus in Stool
• Stomach Cramps
• Anxiety or Depression
• Fatigue

Treating IBS The Natural Way!

Stress is a big factor when it comes to imbalance of the body. Getting a massage helps relax the body and forget about the stress of life. When getting a massage the body releases a chemical called serotonin. Serotonin is the "'good" feeling the body gets when its relaxed and happy. The muscles in the intestines cease up from pain or stress which makes it hard for blood and nutrients to flow through the body. Without the flow of blood through the intestines, it makes it hard for the intestines to absorb nutrition from the food we eat. So, massage helps relax those tense muscles enabling blood to flow more smoothly.

Massage therapists can also massage the abdominal area to help break up and move stool if they have constipation. Massage can also relieve people of IBS symptoms if they have diarrhea. These massage techniques can be done at home. Have your massage therapist show you how to relieve your symptoms of IBS with massage.

Relief At Home!

If you're having constipation or diarrhea problems you can massage your large intestine to get relief. Your ascending colon starts on the right side of your abdomen, comes up just below your rib cage, and descends down the left side of your abdomen. Here's a massage that you can do at home:

1. Start from your descending colon to help clear out stuck stool.
2. Make a fist and massage down towards your feet a couple inches at a time. Massaging until you get to your ascending colon.
3. Then, at your ascending colon take an open palm and follow your ascending colon to your descending colon in one smooth stroke.
4. Take both fists and run them down both sides of your abdomen (only going in a downward direction).
5. Repeat steps 1-4.

Tips:

Use oil (Almond, Vegetable, etc.) to lubricate your abdominal area so it's easier to massage. I found it easier to do this colon massage when laying down.

Pictures from Webmd.com and Colon-info.com