Abdominal Massage (digestive health)

Abdominal self-massage with Essential Oils

Abdominal massage is a gentle, relaxing, easy to do and non-invasive self-management tool to help treat a wide variety of health concerns, especially those related to the digestive system and gut health.

The positive effects can be noticed after only 5 or 10 minutes per day, until symptoms or condition eases.

The use of therapeutic essential oils enhances the overall healing process. Suitable essential oils: Chamomile, Tangerine, Lemon, Rosemary.
 
How to perform abdominal massage on yourself:

Apply oil mixture to the whole abdomen (use 2 teaspoons of carrier oil such as Rosehip or Argan, with 4 drops of essential oil).

1. Lying of your back, place a pillow under your knees to ensure your back is comfortably flat on the floor/bed and the abdominal muscles are relaxed for the massage
2. With your stomach exposed, use the whole hand, connecting the palm and fingers to the abdomen, and slowly and gently massage your entire stomach in a clockwise direction a few times
3. Moving to the centre line of your abdomen, massage with gentle circular motion from below the sternum to the pubic bone, move 3 cm to the left, and repeat. Repeat this pattern 3 more times (each time moving 3 cm to the left) then back to centre and repeat the same massage pattern on the right.
4. Next, press your fingers into your navel, and continue massaging with gentle pressure and tiny circles around the navel in clockwise direction, spiralling outwards as you complete each circle, eventually covering the whole abdomen.

Enjoy the warmth of your hand and notice the sensations and feedback from your body; some areas might feel tight and others soft. You might find that areas of tension start to soften after a while. 

The oil will be well absorbed into your skin by now, however, you are welcome to clean the residue with a soft face-cloth and warm water with some bicarbonate of soda.  

Cautionary note: avoid massage when you have a temperature.

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