Abdominal massages are very effective if you have digestive problems, PMS or cramps. These massages also help to relax any discomfort caused by the large and small intestine, liver, spleen, stomach or gall bladder. The technique below is from Misha Ruth Cohen, a Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist and Clinical Director of Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine:
- Lie on a flat, yet firm surface and place a small pillow under your knees to take the strain off of your back.
- It may be helpful to close your eyes to lessen distraction, and continue to inhale slowly and deeply.
- Start by putting your right palm on top of your stomach, right above your navel with your thumb pointing toward your chin. Then place your left hand on top of your right and breath in deeply, feeling the warmth of your stomach underneath your hands.
- Rub your stomach in a gentle clockwise motion, repeating 20 to 40 times.
- Lift your hands up to the lower edge of your rib cage, on either side of your body. Massage down the length of your lower body, repeating five times.
- Move your hand to the center of your abdomen, beneath your navel and repeat the above motion.
- Sit up and face forward and inhale. While turning your head and neck, but refraining to not turn your body, look over your shoulder and exhale. Repeat, doing the same over your other shoulder.
- Put your right hand on your waist on the left side of your torso while inhaling. Exhale as you move your palm along your waistline toward your navel. Do the same to the right side of your torso with your left hand.
- Rub the front of your lower torso, going over your hip bones down onto the tops of your thighs in one long, slow motion with your palm open.
- Start from the beginning with the first position that has your right hand over your stomach and your left hand on top of your right. Rub the area in a slow, gentle clockwise motion and count to six. Breath in on the count of three and out on the count of six.
Source:
Doc Misha’s Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine
