Abdominal massage therapy is a self-massage technique that involves regular and specific massage of the abdomen. It is mainly used to prevent and treat symptoms such as poor digestion, bloating, and stagnation of food and fluids in the body. It is also effective for chronic gastritis, gastric mucosal prolapse, gastric ptosis, gastrointestinal neurosis, intestinal dysfunction, chronic colitis, and habitual constipation.
In a seated or lying position, close your eyes and focus on your abdomen. Breathe naturally and place your palms together below the navel, with the right hand covering the left hand for men, and vice versa for women. Starting from the center of the navel, move your hands in a circular motion around the abdomen, gradually increasing the size of the circles. Men should first massage in a clockwise direction for 36 rounds, with the outer edge of the largest circle reaching up to the rib cage and down to the pubic symphysis. When reaching the last round with palms stacked below the xiphoid process, change direction in an S-shaped pattern, similar to the yin-yang transition line in the Tai Chi diagram, and continue massaging in a counterclockwise direction, gradually decreasing the size of the circles, for another 36 rounds until returning to the original position. Women should first massage in a counterclockwise direction, gradually increasing the size of the circles for 36 rounds, and then change direction at the yin-yang transition line to clockwise, gradually decreasing the size of the circles for another 36 rounds. The entire process takes about 6-10 minutes.
