ABDOMINAL MASSAGE- What is it, and why would you want it?
I have been massaging in Bellingham for almost 8 years now, and my absolute favorite type of client is one who brings me a tough problem. Usually, these clients have been dealing with some chronic pain and just feel “off”. After chatting with them and assessing their bodies, I often notice a twist or “kink” in their back (like a hip hike or a rotated rib cage) which makes me look at the abdomen. The back is only one side of the trunk, and the fascia and muscles in the abdomen can play just as much a role in the chronic pain as the back does. This is such a sensitive area to work on for so many reasons, primarily because we are protective of our abdomen (as we should be! We have so many vital organs there.), so I always start slow and easy. It’s so relieving for my clients when we finally start to unwind some of their fascia patterns which originate in the abdomen. The most common instances where I think abdominal massage is the most beneficial are massage for bikers and runners, postpartum massage, and desk workers. Here’s why:
Mountain Bikers and Runners
Runners and bikers are for all intensive reasons, endurance athletes. Even an athlete who can only squeak out a run or ride a couple times a week is still taxing their cardiovascular system in a way that indicates cardiovascular endurance. For the entirety of your run or ride you are breathing fairly hard. Your diaphragm creates pressure in your abdominal cavity repeatedly while you are either swinging your arms (running) or have your shoulders in a forward position (biking). You are repetitively working your upper body and rib cage in a way that it’s intended to do but may not the optimized to do. We are one wonderful system working together, so that strain on the rib cage region is felt all the way to the pelvis and as the unique individuals that we are, we cope with that differently. Many people are not bothered by this, but it can be a compounded effect that happens over a long duration of time slowing making this “twist” worse.
Postpartum
For obvious reasons, your abdominal cavity goes through a lot of changes with pregnancy and then postpartum. Some women find it incredibly helpful and relieving to receive abdominal massage to manage pain, help with scar tissue from C Sections, or to help return back to their “normal”.
Desk workers
Desk work is hard work! It’s a very forward position and can create a fascial pattern that not only increases the rolling forward motion of your shoulders (think hunch back) but also shortens the muscles and fascia in the front of your body. Desk workers often feel shortened pecs, neck muscles, hip flexors and everything in between. Working with the fascia and shortened core muscles can take a lot of relief off the hip flexors and make it easier to breathe and expand the rib cage.
Abdominal massage is certainly not for everyone, but for those who need it and do it, it can make a tremendous difference!