Accupressure Massage for Digestion

By S. Phillips

As many of you already know Massage can help to get things moving. Sometimes, because of the diet we choose its appropriate to have some assistance in the 'moving' process. Irregularity can make you uncomfortable, and grumpy but chronic constipation can lead to painful hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and certain kinds of cancer.

Before you reach for a laxative you should know that they can be dangerous. Laxatives can make your muscles develop a memory and your body will start to depend on these in order for you to relieve your call of nature. Overuse can cause cramping, diarrhea, and dehydration; the magnesium in laxatives can cause even worse problems like difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat and even coma!
Now we are on the same page so lets get to the actual massage for clients with this problem.

This massage focusses on toning up LI and Si as well as the ST- this is very quick and easy and can relieve gas and constipation!
We are going to focus on the Ileocecal valve which is located between parts of the intestine and is under stress often due to overstimulation from our diet. Its located BETWEEN TOP OF THE HIPBONE AND THE BELLY BUTTON. Put your hand on the top of the shoulder (by collarbone ) at the same time and press simultaneously. Use round circles with a good pressure this will make the pressure on the abdomen less intense and help relax the Ileocecal valve! :) This should relieve digestive distress! The above protocol is courtesy of Dr. Tumberelllo.

*if  you are stubborn and insist on a laxative try this natural one: a folk remedy calls for 3 tbs of raw honey into warm h2o and drink!!! (The folk remedy encyclopedia)

That is just a warm up for the acupressure we are preparing to do...

AcuPoints:
SP15
SP25
ST25
ST36
ST44

~Start with ST25 press 8x
(2 cun from navel... press both sides at the same time. This is good for IBS, constipation and diarrhea and all other bowel problems)
~SP15 press 8x ( 2 more cun from ST25 or 4 cun from navel. good for constipation.)
~ST36 (find the kneecrease go three cun down from tibia and beneath tibeal bone can feel the ridge just beneath it you can go one cun lateral. this increases vitality and rejuvenates.)
~ST44 between 2nd and 3rd toe/ helps downward movement of food helps digestion and eases constipation.

8x on all points! GO over three times!

acupressure protocol courtesy www.wingsofknowledge.com

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