Episode #168 Abdominal Massage & digestive upset

Today’s episode is the Season 5 Finale. Thank you to everyone that continues to support the podcast. I am going to take some time off to recharge. Enjoy the holiday season with your family and friends. 

During today’s episode I discuss abdominal massage as a first line of defence for abdominal pain.

I talk about the relevant research and the most commonly suffered from abdominal symptom being constipation. This is a topic that isn’t discussed enough and very common in the general population. Many people do not know that manual therapy can serve as part of symptom management. Furthermore, while certain areas of manual therapy struggle to have research to measure outcomes, abdominal massage seems to be one with plenty of research published on the topic.  

We also discuss the importance of diagnosis and evaluation of abdominal pain, when abdominal massage should not be used, as well as common life style and behaviour modifications that are often suggested as a management tool to improve symptoms.

Have you used abdominal massage to manage symptoms of abdominal discomfort? Comment below. 

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*Episode Resources*

Gul Dogan I, Cursen C, Akbayrak T et al. Abdominal Massage in Functional Chronic Constipation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Phys Ther. 2022;102(7):pzac058. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzac058.