What Intestinal Massage Methods Help Relieve Constipation? Remedies and Recommended Treatments

Constipation causes a bloated belly and rough skin, which adds up to a lot of stress.

There are several methods for relieving constipation, and all of them can be done at home, so please try them.

This article details the causes of constipation, improvement methods, and our treatments.

What Causes Constipation?

Constipation isn’t just a state of difficulty passing stool — various causes can be considered, including intestinal movement and lifestyle habits.

Here we introduce three causes.

Reduced Large Intestine Movement

When intestinal movement slows, stool isn’t carried smoothly and stays in the large intestine for a long time.

During this time, excess water is absorbed, hardening the stool and making it harder to pass.

This type of constipation is said to be especially common among women and the elderly, and is also frequent.

The following symptoms are often seen:

• Bloated belly
• A feeling of incomplete evacuation
• Reduced appetite
• Shoulder stiffness
• Rough skin
• Irritability, and more

Causes include lack of exercise, insufficient fluid intake, insufficient dietary fiber, weakened abdominal muscles, and extreme dieting.

Being mindful of moderate daily exercise and getting enough fluids can improve intestinal movement, helping prevent constipation.

Overtensed Large Intestine

When the large intestine becomes overly tense, stool isn’t carried smoothly, and it tends to become small, hard, and pellet-like.

With this type of constipation, you may also experience abdominal pain after meals or an ongoing feeling of incomplete evacuation.

Another characteristic is that constipation and diarrhea can alternate.

Since it’s caused by disruption of the autonomic nervous system, which controls intestinal movement, it’s thought to be related to mental stress, environmental changes, and irritable bowel syndrome.

It tends to be more common in those who accumulate stress easily or become tense easily.

Relaxing and finding good ways to release stress is said to lead to improving constipation.

Stool Stagnating Instead of Flowing Smoothly

Constipation occurs when stool reaches the rectum but isn’t properly expelled.

Normally, when stool accumulates in the rectum, a defecation reflex occurs, giving you the urge to go, but when this doesn’t work properly, stool stagnates.

This tends to be common among the elderly and bedridden, and also among those who habitually hold back bowel movements out of concern about hemorrhoids.

Continuing to hold back the urge can gradually dull rectal sensation, worsening constipation further.

Developing a habit of going to the bathroom at roughly the same time each day, and moving your body to promote intestinal function, is important.

How Can You Relieve Constipation?

To relieve constipation, regulating your environment so the intestines can work smoothly is important.

There’s a lot you can do in daily life — getting enough fluids, being mindful of dietary fiber, and exercising moderately.

Here we introduce five specific methods.

Drink Hard Water

Hard water contains a lot of magnesium.

Magnesium is said to have a softening effect on stool — it stays in the intestines and draws in water, increasing the water content of stool and helping smoother bowel movements.

Since it eases constipation naturally, it’s also recommended for those who don’t want to rely on laxatives.

However, hard water also contains calcium and sodium, so drinking too much requires caution, as it can cause stomach pain or diarrhea.

Also, since magnesium is sometimes used in laxatives too, combining them can burden your stomach.

It’s good to incorporate it into your daily habits while being mindful of an appropriate amount.

Improve Your Diet

Reviewing your diet is very important for relieving constipation.

Be mindful of a balanced diet, making sure to properly get staple food, main dishes, and side dishes.

Among these, being mindful of increasing dietary fiber is especially recommended.

Water-soluble dietary fiber in vegetables and fruits increases beneficial gut bacteria and supports intestinal movement.

Also, dairy products like yogurt and cheese, and fermented foods like kimchi and natto, regulate the gut environment.

Since simply changing your diet can help regulate your intestines, being just a little mindful of your daily meals can lead to noticeable change.

Avoid Accumulating Stress

Intestinal movement is controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

For this reason, accumulated stress disrupts intestinal function, making constipation more likely.

Those who tense easily or are sensitive to environmental changes tend to have poorer intestinal movement.

Stress from work and relationships in daily life is unavoidable, but having your own way to relax can help regulate your intestines too.

Be Mindful of Your Posture During Bowel Movements

Posture is also important for passing stool smoothly.

A common mistake is rounding your back and straining, but this doesn’t properly transmit force to the belly, making bowel movements less smooth.

The ideal posture is keeping your back straight and leaning slightly forward.

This straightens the rectum and anus — the intestine’s exit — making it easier for stool to pass smoothly.

Also, if your feet are floating, it’s harder to apply force, so placing a stool under your feet to raise your knees slightly helps force transmit more naturally.

Perform Intestinal Massage

Gently massaging your belly can promote intestinal movement and lead to improving constipation.

Slowly stroking around your navel in the shape of the character “の” (a circular motion) is recommended.

Doing it upon waking or before bed can stimulate the intestines and lead to smoother bowel movements.

We’ll introduce the detailed massage steps in the next section.

For the benefits of intestinal massage, see this article.

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What Intestinal Massage Methods Help Relieve Constipation?

Massage is recommended to promote intestinal movement.

Here we introduce three massage steps.

“の” (No)-Shape Massage

Gently massaging your belly promotes intestinal movement and can help relieve constipation.

We recommend massaging in the shape of the character “の”.

Centering on your navel, slowly stroke while moving your hand in a large clockwise motion.

Massaging along the direction of intestinal flow makes it easier for stool to move smoothly.

The key point is doing it while relaxed and breathing deeply.

Pressing too hard can cause stomach pain, so continue with a pressure that feels pleasant.

Doing it upon waking, before bed, or after a bath is said to make the intestines more active, leading to smoother bowel movements.

Intestine-Loosening Massage

Massaging to loosen your whole belly can be expected to ease intestinal tension and make stool easier to pass.

Lie on your back and slowly press around your navel with your fingertips.

If you find an area of your belly that feels hard, focus there, gently loosening it with the pad of your finger in a stroking motion. Loosening the hardened intestine can make intestinal movement smoother.

Deep breathing while massaging activates the parasympathetic nervous system, enhancing the relaxing effect too. Try incorporating this during relaxed time before bed.

Stool-Pushing Massage

There’s also a method of massaging by gently pressing your belly to help move stool along smoothly.

Place both hands below your navel, and use your fingertips to gently press while stroking downward.

Repeating this can help push along stool accumulated in the rectum.

It’s recommended to do this right after waking or before going to the bathroom, as it can help promote bowel movements.

Also, since a cold belly tends to slow intestinal movement, warming your belly before massaging can make the effect easier to feel.

For Relieving Constipation, “KADOMORI-Style Intestinal Massage” Is Recommended!

For those troubled by stubborn constipation, KADOMORI-Style Intestinal Massage is recommended.

This treatment combines intestinal massage with beauty-gut acupuncture, aiming to loosen waste and stagnant stool accumulated in the intestines and activate intestinal function.

As intestinal movement becomes smoother, it can lead not just to improving constipation, but to caring for discomfort caused by a disrupted gut environment, like a bloated belly and rough skin.

Before treatment, we check your intestinal condition through listening, tapping, and palpation, providing treatment tailored to each individual.

Troubled by Constipation? Consult KADOMORI!

This article has introduced the causes of constipation, improvement methods, and massage techniques.

There are various causes of constipation, but improvement is possible through small efforts in daily life.

Please try the methods introduced in this article.

Also, our treatments can achieve improvement even faster, so if you’re currently troubled by constipation, please consult KADOMORI.