Massaging the Abdomen for Constipation Relief: How Bodywork Can Support Digestion
- James Tremblay
- Apr 11
- 4 min read
Many people seek out massage for pain relief or relaxation—but fewer realize how much manual therapy can support internal processes like digestion. If you struggle with constipation or feel like your belly is always tense, targeted abdominal massage may offer real relief. In my practice, I’ve seen how freeing up the layers of the core can help people find more ease not just in movement, but also in digestion.
This post explores how abdominal massage can help relieve constipation, and how techniques from Rolfing® Structural Integration and other forms of manual therapy play a role in supporting gut health.
How Massage Can Help with Constipation
The digestive system relies on movement—of food, fluid, and the tissues that surround it. But when we’re chronically tense, sedentary, or recovering from injury or surgery, movement in the abdomen can become restricted. Massage can help by:
Stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system (“rest and digest”)
Increasing blood flow and lymphatic movement to the gut
Freeing adhesions or fascial restrictions that limit organ mobility
Relaxing the muscles of the abdominal wall that may be bracing or held in tension
Giving more mobility to the spine, which influences pressure and movement in the abdominal cavity
In the cases of constipation or inflammatory digestive issues, Rolfing and massage can create space for better motility.
A Layered Approach to Massage for the Abdomen
Abdominal massage is not just about pushing on the belly. The work often involves a gradual, careful approach to the many layers between the skin and the deep core: muscles, fascia, viscera, and sometimes scar tissue. For example:
The rectus abdominis and surrounding fascia can be tight and limit motion.
The psoas and diaphragm influence intra-abdominal pressure and mobility.
Fascial lines and sheaths can act like shrink-wrap around the gut, especially after surgery, inflammation, or years of guarding.
Freeing these layers gently and progressively can help restore a sense of softness, responsiveness, and internal movement.
Rolfing and Core Integration
As a Certified Rolfer, my approach to abdominal work goes beyond surface massage. Rolfing Structural Integration works with the entire body, including the deep core, to support long-term changes in structure and function. In sessions where digestion or constipation is a concern, I often explore:
How the abdominal wall is bracing or collapsed
Restrictions in the fascia of the midsection that may affect gut motility
The relationship between the ribs, spine, and pelvis, all of which influence core pressure and organ space
Clients often report feeling more “open,” “unstuck,” or like they can breathe more freely after this kind of work. While I don’t treat medical conditions like IBS or Crohn’s disease, I have seen people with those diagnoses experience benefits from freeing up the body’s internal landscape. Learn more about Rolfing.
How Abdominal Work Relates to Low Back Pain
People often think of low back pain as a muscular or spinal issue, but that’s only part of the picture. “Low back pain” is a vague term considering the myriad of anatomical structures, and pain in that area can stem from many sources: tight fascia, irritated nerves, overloaded joints, or even restrictions in the viscera.
The low back is one of the structural walls of the abdominal cavity, not just a surface to be stretched or strengthened. That means what’s happening inside the belly can influence the spine and surrounding tissues. And the reverse is also true: when the spine is compressed or the deep core lacks support, the abdominal organs may have less room to move, which can impact digestion.
In practice, I’ve seen that working with the front of the body—the ribs, the belly, diaphragm, and pelvis—can help resolve persistent back discomfort, especially when traditional stretching or strengthening hasn’t helped. Addressing these layers not only improves movement and reduces pain, but sometimes supports digestive ease as a byproduct.
Self-Massage Tips for Constipation Relief
If you're looking for something to try at home, here’s a gentle technique you can explore:
Lie down comfortably on your back with knees bent.
Use flat fingers or the palm of your hand to make slow, clockwise circles around your navel (this follows the direction of the large intestine).
Start light, and if it feels good, gradually apply a bit more pressure, but never force it.
Breathe slowly and calmly as you go. Let your exhale soften your belly.
This won’t replace professional work, but it’s a simple way to connect with your gut and support your body’s freedom to move.
Massage the Abdomen for Constipation for More Freedom, Less Holding
Whether you're dealing with occasional constipation or simply want a freer, more responsive core, massage and Rolfing can offer powerful support. By creating more space and ease through the abdomen, we support not just digestion, but how we move, breathe, and feel in our bodies.
If you're curious about how Rolfing or abdominal work might help you, I’d be happy to talk more. Or you can book a session if you’re ready.
James Tremblay is a Certified Rolfer® and Licensed Massage Therapist based in Farmington, Michigan, serving Farmington Hills, Novi, West Bloomfield, Southfield, Livonia, and beyond.
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