How to Relieve Constipation with Abdominal Massage

Co-authored by Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH

Last Updated: October 26, 2022 References Approved

Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Individuals with constipation have very few bowel movements, such as once every three days, or have stools that may be hard, dry, small, painful, or difficult to pass. Constipation is not typically dangerous and most people experience it only for a short time.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Kneading Your Belly to Release Constipation

1
Recognize the benefits of abdominal massage. If you have constipation, you may be uncomfortable and even in pain. Massaging your abdomen can not only help relieve constipation, but has additional benefits. These include:
- Minimizing the need for long-term laxative use
- Relieving gas
- Reducing the likelihood that you'll need medical attention for constipation
- Relaxing you and your muscles, which may ease your bowels.
2
Find a comfortable spot for your massage. You may want to lie down to perform your abdominal massage. This can help further relax you and may be easier than standing. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to get comfy and perform your massage. Rushing may cause you further stress, which can prevent you from relieving your constipation.
- Massage yourself in a comfortable and quiet environment such as your bedroom. Turn down any lights and keep noise to minimum to help further relax you.
- Consider lying in a warm bath. The warm water aids relaxation, which can help relieve your constipation.^{[1]
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3
Start the abdominal massage. Your intestinal tract is between your hip bones in your lower abdomen. You can massage your belly in any motion or pattern you wish. However, using circular motions may better relieve your constipation.
- Use the tips of your index fingers to massage the small intestines in clockwise, circular motions around the navel. Repeat a rotation of these circles 3 to 5 times.
4
Continue the massage sequence. This will encourage the movement of your waste down into your bowels. Continue the sequence with the following motions:
- Stroke your abdomen from the left side to the right
- Vibrate your hands and fingers on your navel area
- Perform a circular movement with one hand just below your navel and then quickly make another circle with the other hand
- With one hand over the other, continuously repeat the motion counter-clockwise
- Use your fingertips to massage in small circular motions
- Move from the sides of your abdomen inward and downward
5
Repeat stroking movements. You need to massage your abdomen between 10 and 20 minutes to stimulate your intestines. Continue the sequence of motions for 10-20 minutes and stop. Take a break and assess if you need to move your bowels. If not, try another massage or wait until later in the day.
- Avoid stroking or pressing too hard. This may compact fecal matter and make it more difficult to evacuate your bowels.
- Continue to use daily abdominal massage for constipation, even if you need to use another method to relieve yourself. Performing abdominal massage on a daily basis may prevent further bouts of constipation or gas.
6
Move your legs. Moving your legs towards your belly can compress parts of the intestinal tract. Consider alternating each knee towards your belly or to the side as you massage your abdomen. This may further stimulate your intestine and relieve your constipation.
7
Don't ignore the urge to poop. You may need to evacuate your bowels during your massage. If this happens, don't wait or ignore the urge. Get yourself to the bathroom and give yourself time to poop.^{[2]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Not doing so can lead to:
- Hardening of stools
- Straining
- Hemorrhoids
- Pain

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Combining Massage with Other Natural Remedies

1
Drink plenty of water.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} Constipation is often related to dehydration in your colon. Drinking 8 ounces of water 8 times a day to equal 2 liters may rehydrate you and relieve your constipation.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
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Go to source}
- Drink tap or bottled water. Avoid carbonated and flavored waters, both of which may make gas and bloating worse.^{[5]
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2
Try fruit juice. If water doesn't relieve your constipation, consider switching to fruit juice. Drink 2-4 ounces (60 to 120 milliliters) of prune or apple juice with your meals. You may need to drink more if you don't notice a difference.^{[6]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
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- Mix one part juice and one part water if the juice is too intense for you or your taste buds. You can also drink the juice over ice if you like.^{[7]
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3
Eat foods high in fiber. In addition to drinking water and/or fruit juice, eat foods high in fiber. This can loosen your stools and stimulate your bowels. Aim to eat 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Some foods high in fiber that may relieve your constipation, especially when combined with massage are:^{[9]
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- Peas
- Prunes
- Pears
- Plums
- Peaches
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Flaxseeds
- Carrots
- Pineapple
- Whole grains
- Bran flakes
4
Move your body. Movement and physical activity can stimulate your intestines.^{[10]
X
Expert Source

Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} Do some low-impact exercise to help relieve your constipation. Consider combining it with your abdominal massage to ease your constipation more quickly.^{[11]
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Research source}
- Recognize that any type of movement or exercise is good for relieving constipation.^{[12]
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  Expert Source
  
  Muhammad Khan, MD, MPH
  Board Certified Gastroenterologist
  Expert Interview. 24 August 2021.} However, exercises with only a slight impact are best. Consider running, walking, biking, and swimming. Doing yoga may also relieve constipation.
- Get as much movement as you are able. Even 15 minutes of exercise can help stimulate your bowels.
5
Use caution with mineral oils, stimulant laxatives, and enemas. There are differing opinions on using natural oils, laxatives, and enemas to treat constipation.^{[13]
X
Expert Source

Peter Gardner, MD
Board Certified Gastroenterologist
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} They can cause chronic constipation, injure the muscles of your colon and anus, and create dependence on laxatives to move your bowels. Ask your doctor if any of these treatments are suitable and safe for you.^{[14]
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Research source}
6
Consume castor oil. A home remedy used for generations, castor oil acts as a natural laxative. It breaks down into a substance that stimulates the intestines, which may relieve your constipation. Combining castor oil with massage may provide even quicker relief.
- Take 1-2 teaspoons of castor oil on an empty stomach. This should make you poop within 8 hours.
- Mix castor oil with a sweetener such as orange juice. This can cut down on its bad taste.
- Avoid taking more castor oil than the recommended dose. Doing so may lead to overdose. Symptoms of a castor oil overdose include: abdominal cramps, chest pain, dizziness, hallucinations, diarrhea, shortness of breath, skin rash, and throat tightness. If you experience any of these symptoms, call the national toll-free Poison Help hotline at 1-800-222-1222 if you are in the United States. A representative will give you further instructions on what to do.^{[15]
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  Go to source}
7
Incorporate psyllium husks in your diet. Adding fiber supplements to your diet may help further boost the effects of abdominal massage. Psyllium husks are very fine flakes of psyllium bran. These fiber supplements can soften stools. Consider adding psyllium husks, sold under names such as Metamucil, FiberCon, and Citrucel, to your diet to relieve your constipation.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}
- Get psyllium husk at natural food or nutrition stores.
- Mix ½ teaspoon psyllium husk with 8 ounces of water. You can do this in the morning or the evening. Increase the dosage only if you need to.
- Add psyllium husks to a fruit smoothie if you prefer. The fruit may also boost the benefits of both the psyllium husks and abdominal massage.
8
Use flaxseed to stimulate the intestines. Flaxseeds as well as flaxseed oil and meal can help relieve your constipation. They may also replace any nutrients you are losing because of the condition. Add flaxseed products to your meals throughout the day to stimulate your intestines. Avoid getting more than 50 grams (or 5 tablespoons) of whole flaxseed per day.^{[17]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} You can get flaxseed by:
- Adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed to hot or cold breakfast cereals
- Mixing one teaspoon ground flaxseed in mayonnaise or mustard for a sandwich
- Stirring one teaspoon ground flaxseed into 8 ounces of yogurt
- Use ground flaxseed in baked goods including cookies, muffins, and breads

Warnings

See a physician immediately if you have diarrhea along with abdominal pain.

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If you have severe abdominal pain, go to the emergency room immediately.

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See your doctor if you experience persistent constipation.^{[18]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source}

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