Can Massage Help IBS & Gut Health?
Most people don’t think about massage as something that helps digestion—but your gut and nervous system are deeply connected. If you’ve been dealing with bloating, sluggish digestion, or discomfort that seems tied to stress, massage can support more than just muscle tension.
1. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system. Digestion only happens when your body feels safe. When massage calms your nervous system, it shifts you into a rest-and-digest state where your stomach and intestines can actually do their job.
2. It stimulates the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve connects your brain and gut. When it’s activated through gentle touch and diaphragmatic breathing, it boosts motility (how things move through your system), regulates enzymes, and reduces inflammation in the gut.
3. It improves circulation to abdominal organs. Focused massage around the diaphragm, low back, and abdomen helps bring blood flow to the digestive organs. This supports better function and can ease tension that contributes to constipation or discomfort.
4. It reduces muscular guarding. Chronic stress often causes us to brace through the belly, jaw, and pelvic floor. Massage helps release that tension, making it easier to breathe deeply and digest fully.
5. It can directly relieve constipation. Abdominal massage techniques, when applied gently and correctly, can stimulate the intestines, encourage peristalsis (the wave-like motion that moves waste through the colon), and help relieve constipation. Therapists trained in this work can use circular strokes and guided breathwork to support natural elimination.
When to consider massage for digestion:
After periods of high stress or travel
During menstrual cycles when digestion slows down
If you’re managing IBS, bloating, or anxiety-related gut symptoms
When your body feels tight, braced, or "on guard"
If you're experiencing sluggish digestion or constipation
We won’t make unrealistic claims about detoxing or weight loss—but we will say this: a calm, regulated body digests more easily. And massage is one of the most effective ways to get there.
