Can Massage Help: IBS?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common digestive conditions in the UK, and it affects an estimated 1 in 10 people at some point in their lives. The experience varies from person to person, but as the name suggests, it’s pretty uncomfortable, can be frustrating, and is disruptive to daily routines.
Although massage therapy isn’t a cure for IBS, it may offer meaningful support for those managing its symptoms, particularly when stress is a known trigger.
What is IBS and how does it affect the body?
IBS is a functional gut disorder, meaning it affects how the digestive system works rather than causing structural damage. The NHS lists IBS symptoms as including abdominal cramping, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea, and beyond this, it can also be linked with fatigue and mental health challenges.
Stress plays a significant role in the condition. Emotional tension can exacerbate gut sensitivity, and people with IBS often report that symptoms worsen during anxious periods. This mind-body connection suggests that treatments focusing on the nervous system, like massage, may have something to offer.
How can massage help with IBS pain relief?
Massage therapy is well known for reducing stress, calming the nervous system, and promoting relaxation, effects that are particularly beneficial for people living with IBS.
Massage can be used to stimulate the vagus nerve, which is a key communication pathway between the brain and the gut, shifting the body from ‘fight or flight’ mode into a more restful ‘rest and digest’ state.
A calmer nervous system may reduce the frequency and intensity of IBS symptoms. In addition, gentle abdominal massage can relieve tension, and ease bloating and the passage of gas in the digestive tract.
Some clients also report that regular massage helps balance their mood and improves their overall sense of wellbeing, both of which can affect gut health.
How to incorporate massage in IBS treatment
My clients in Southville often come for regular monthly sessions as part of their long-term self-care routine. Some use it as a way to manage anxiety, balance their mood, or reduce stress, and while I reiterate that massage therapy isn’t a cure for IBS, several have reported a reduced sensitivity to digestive symptoms. Used as part of a wider IBS treatment schedule, massage can be a powerful tool for improving quality of life. Each massage is tailored to the individual, and a holistic approach is central to my practice.
If you’re living with IBS and looking for complementary ways to manage symptoms (particularly stress) massage therapy could be a valuable addition to your self-care strategy. Feel free to get in touch and organise a consultation or book your first appointment today.
