Manual therapists frequently miss the belly when working with various body aches and pains, and many bodywork consumers do not know that massage and physiotherapy can actually create change here in our most “core” body zone.

With regular attention and care for the belly organs, the following goals can become a reality.  Ask yourself how many people you know experience belly pain, digestive and elimination problems, have had belly surgery, reproductive system problems, or just plain do not like the way they look and feel here.  These folks all need belly massage!

Here are Marty’s 7 goals for a happy belly -

Decrease tension in the belly wall – contrary to popular belief, a chronically hard belly wall creates difficulty standing up straight, supporting the spine, breathing and massaging the organs with each breath.  The hard belly wall can also contribute to a decrease in overall fluid and energy circulation to the abdominal organs.

“Rock hard abs” - a strange cultural goal to say the least - can actually be a sign of tension and stress, anxiety and fear, pain, inflammation, and decreased abdominal organ function.

Easy penetration through the layers of belly organs – your massage practitioner or physiotherapist should be able to move through the belly wall and into organs with little or no discomfort. Yes, this means all the way to the front of the spine!

Pain upon touch at any of the abdominal tissue layers from skin to spine is a sign of tension.

Decrease pain in the organs of the belly - both upon touch and walking around in your life.  This is especially true after you eat.

Food allergies, bloating and gas, constipation and that feeling that things just sit too long are signs of dysfunction that should not be ignored.

Decrease cramping in the belly organs – both after meals and during the rest of the day.

Different than #3 above because the nervous system is making a bigger “message” to the rest of the body.  Cramping and pain are the first things that generally change after belly massage because the nervous system is not so “on guard.”

Efficient transit time and easy bowel movements – this means food moves along the gut tube at a pace that does not create cramping, bloating, or tension and allows for 2 - 3 easy bowel movements per day - usually after meals.

We should all shoot for a “bronze medal” daily - meaning one bowel movement after breakfast or in the early part of the day.  A “silver medal” then is something moving after lunch, and the elusive “gold medal” is reserved for those that can move their bowels a third time after dinner.  Anything short of a bronze medal is constipation and slow transit time.  Belly massage certainly helps, as will other lifestyle changes.

Reproductive system ease –

For females:

regular and predictable menstrual cycles without hormone intervention
minimal or no uterine cramping or painful, swollen breast tissue with menses
minimal or no PMS / menopausal symptoms
no cysts, endometriosis, or fibroids in the pelvis
easy access to sexual energy

For males:

no nocturnal urination – you stay asleep all night without getting up to urinate
easy erections with no pain or premature ejaculation
little or no prostate swelling
easy access to sexual energy

These reproductive symptoms which are so prevalent and “normal” in our culture are actually signs of pelvic congestion, hormone imbalance, inflammation, and unfinished emotional / energetic business.  All of these can play a role in fertility problems and other health issues.

Ease and grace with your own belly – instead of hating or fearing your belly, you enjoy feeding it, looking at it, massaging it, hugging it, and knowing that it serves you well.  This is the broadest and most encompassing of all the 7 goals.

Love Your Guts Seminars -7 Goals for a Happy Belly -Copyright 2007

Marty Ryan, LMP is the massage therapy director at the Tummy Temple in Seattle, WA / USA - www.tummytemple.com.  He also founded and directs a bodywork education company called Love Your Guts Seminars - www.loveyourguts.net  - specializing in teaching belly massage with heart.

Marty will be bringing his bodywork education programme to the UK in the August 2008 for a 3 day training that should not to be missed!  This trainings is open to all manual therapists. For more details contact James or Nicola at Kinesis UK (www.anatomytrains.co.uk ) by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or calling 028 9048 1267.