Have you had your mind filled with thoughts that don’t turn off causing you anxiety that turns into a felt “knot in your stomach”? If so, then you have experienced a stress response affecting your digestive system.
How does the brain and gut connect?
Our gastrointestinal (GI) tract is often referred to as the “second brain”. It has a mind of its own, researchers say, because it sends and receives impulses, registers experiences and responds to emotions. This brain or enteric nervous system consists of neurons governing the function of our GI tract in our gut. It contains 100 million neurons, more than the spinal cord.
Stress may be the cause of digestive disorders
Researchers now begin to understand the relationship between the brain and the gut. During a fear response stress hormones are released alerting the body to fight or flee. Chemistry is released in the body and senses become heightened. We may sense from butterflies in our stomach or frozen response from intense fear reaction. Fear or stress response causes interruption in the natural function of our body systems, and if this stress response is continuous then our health and vitality may diminish.
The following research stated in the Journal JNM (NCBI) says that:
Stress and depression are related to various digestive diseases, and they may be predisposing factors to functional dyspepsia (FD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)”. 1. A recent study reported that reflux esophagitis is associated with emotional stress, and the severity of reflux correlates with the degree of stress”2. Depression may also be a cause of gastric cancer.
Digestive Health Abdominal Massage Therapy is a natural solution to digestive symptoms and disorders
Chronic stress may be the cause triggering digestive disorders, and therapeutic massage has been proven to be effective reducing the stress response considerably. Research also indicates that massage can improve mood and reduce depression. 3.
Abdominal Massage is a gentle and relaxing therapy that I offer and can benefit everyone. It can support those who have GI tract symptoms or other referred pain that may be referring from abdominal tension. A complete abdominal massage treatment also includes working on neck and back areas. This helps breathing to be easier and a deeper sense of relaxation, mental clarity, and emotional rest are possible effects after therapy.
The following are therapy options I offer that can support your health goals:
- Digestive Health – Therapeutic Abdominal Massage: a gentle and relaxing therapy that helps increase lymph and blood circulation to internal organs, immune system response and relax abdominal tension (abdomen, back and neck area). It restores mental, emotional and physical well being!
- Restorative Therapeutic Massage: a personalized therapy that helps promote a deep relaxation response to activate the body’s innate self-healing ability to restore balance and overall health.
You may contact me for a FREE consultation on digestive health.
I look forward to supporting you in health!
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