Belly massage for bloating: how to do it and what helps
To massage a bloated stomach, lie down with your knees bent and use flat hands to stroke clockwise around your belly button for five to ten minutes. Gentle, slow pressure works better than pressing hard.
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Why does belly massage help bloating?
Stroking clockwise follows the path of the large intestine, which can help trapped gas move and makes a tight, full stomach feel looser. It also relaxes the stomach muscles, which many people clench without noticing when they feel bloated.
How do you do it, step by step?
- Lie on your back, knees bent, a pillow under your head.
- Place both hands flat on your lower right stomach.
- Stroke up toward your ribs, across the top of your stomach, and down the left side.
- Make small circles around your belly button, still clockwise.
- Breathe slowly into your belly the whole time. Keep going for five to ten minutes.
When is the best time?
An hour or more after eating, or in the evening when a puffy, heavy stomach usually feels worst. Right after a large meal it can feel uncomfortable.
Do stomach massagers work for bloating?
A massager does the same job with less effort. A strap-on vibrating massager like the ryng V4 sits on the stomach for ten minutes while you sit or lie down, then switches itself off. The ryng glide is handheld and adds adjustable warmth, which many people find settles a tight stomach. Neither burns belly fat.
What else helps a bloated stomach?
- A short walk after meals
- Less salt and alcohol the day before an event
- Eating slower and drinking fewer fizzy drinks
- Peppermint or ginger tea
When should you see a doctor?
If bloating comes with pain, weight loss you cannot explain, blood in your stool, or it lasts for weeks, get it checked.
the ryng V4
Four massage surfaces, six levels, three modes and a built-in timer. Handheld or hands-free with the included belt.
See the ryng V4