DO-IT-YOURSELF Abdominal Massage
nly a qualified practitioner should use abdominal massage to treat abdominal or emotional diseases, but it can be self-administered for general health and well-being. Consult your primary-care physician before using this technique. Wait at least one hour after eating. Find a quiet place where you will be undisturbed for at least 10 minutes and lie on your back. Along the centerline of your body, find the midpoint between the bottom of the sternum and the belly button. Press the fingertips of both hands into this midpoint and move the hands from side to side, taking care not to rub across the surface of the skin, which can cause abrasion on the skin. The skin should move with the fingers across the abdomen. Keeping your eyes closed, gently move to other points along this centerline from the belly button to the bottom of the sternum. Spend more time on tender areas, but massage gently; it should not be painful, but rather feel as though you are relieving the sore areas. If you need to apply more force or your fingers begin to hurt, you can perform the same technique with a tennis ball. Continue massaging points along this line for at least 10 minutes and up to an hour.
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During this technique, it is important to be constantly mindful of what you are doing. Try to keep your mind always under your fingers, as though you are looking out through your abdomen at your fingertips. In this manner you will be tapping into the abdominal “brain” and receiv- ing the most benefit from the technique. You will know you are practicing correctly if your stomach gurgles during the exercise and if you feel lighter and more carefree afterward.
Some common con- traindications for abdominal massage are pregnancy, skin rash or irritation on the abdomen and abdominal aneurisms. This list is not exhaustive, however, so contact your doctor if you want to begin practicing.
To keep the body in good health is a duty... otherwise we shall not be able to keep our
mind strong and clear. ~Buddha
natural awakenings
March 2011
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