Help, my gut is in a rut!

​Written by Michelle Dela Rosa, PT

​What can I do to calm this bloated belly? What can I do to get things moving? What can I do for all this abdominal pressure and gas?

These are common questions we hear at Connect PT. One possible remedy that can be performed at home is what we call a bowel massage. The technique can help constipation, diarrhea, or any associated abdominal discomfort.

​Start by lying on your back. Use a fist, heel of your hand, or fingers to apply gliding pressure on the left side of the belly from the left ribs down to the pubic bone. This works on the descending colon. Next, use the same pressure to glide just under the rib cage from right to left. This works on the transverse colon. Lastly, glide from the right side of the pubic bone straight up toward the right ribs. This works on the ascending colon. Each glide should be performed 10 times on the descending, transverse, then ascending colons. Use light to moderate pressure to comfort; nothing should hurt!
 
You can use a heating pad on the abdomen to soften the tissues prior to the massage. It can feel nice to do the massage before bed as you are winding down, but it can be performed anytime. So take some time out, slow down, and get those bellies feeling happy again.