Massage can be an amazing tool for relieving nausea, and here are a few ways that massage can help with nausea.
Self-massage is a great way to relieve digestive irritations, cramps, morning sickness, stress-related nausea and more. Many people hold their stress in their abdomen which can lead to nausea, general queasiness, and perhaps even vomiting. By gently massaging the abdomen, nausea can be greatly reduced. The motion of the massage is important when being performed on the abdomen – generally clockwise.
Abdominal massage is especially helpful when there is digestive upset. Using a clockwise motion, and beginning at the lower left portion of the belly, gradually work up toward the ribs, then from left to right across the body, and finally downward toward the lower right side of the large intestine. This follows the natural path of the gastrointestinal tract and helps with peristalsis of the stomach and intestines. You can also find relief from nausea by massaging in the middle of the abdomen in a counter-clockwise direction.
Reflexology is another form of massage that can be beneficial for people experiencing nausea. Reflexology is the application of appropriate pressure to specific points and areas on the feet, hands and ears. The theory behind this technique is that these areas correspond to organs and systems in the body. When pressure is applied to these areas, it is thought to affect the organs and benefit a person’s health. For nausea, there are two specific areas that the therapist or you can focus on. These are the arch of the foot and the heel, both of which correspond to the abdomen and the organs in the abdomen.
There are also specific acupressure points that are known to be helpful for relieving nausea. Here are just a couple:
Pericardium 6 – This point is located bilaterally on the underside of the forearm. The point is two finger widths above the center of the wrist crease, between the two visible tendons. PC6 is the magic point for relieving many different kinds of nausea. It does this by harmonizing the stomach.
Stomach 36 – Stomach 36 is commonly referred to as the Longevity Point. It is located bilaterally on the lower outer leg. It can be found 1 finger-width from the border of the upper tibia and about 3 thumb-widths below the lower border of the knee cap. This point boosts the energy of the body and stimulates the immune function. Because it is located on the stomach energetic pathway, it is an excellent choice for treating any kind of stomach related issue.
Lastly, using essential oils can be particularly healing. When nausea is present, essential oils can be extremely beneficial. By mixing organic oils of lavender, peppermint and unrefined coconut oil, you can massage away the nausea and smell good too. Essential oils have been used for centuries to help the body heal. Adding them to a quick acupressure massage or onto the affected area, may give you all the relief you need.
Regular massage can keep the digestive tract functioning and flowing properly, which will allow for easy handling of things like nausea. Massage is also very relaxing and this can help if the nausea is stress-induced. Relax, enjoy the massage and watch your nausea disappear.
