Health

IIE Digital Desk:The holiday season brings with it its own set of woes. From hangovers to sleep apnea and back pain, there are a variety of problems plaguing working partygoers. Yet one very common and pervasive problem is tummy bloating. Now, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner may have come up with a simple yet effective solution to this issue.

Ada Ooi, who also founded the award-winning 001 Skincare, explained that massaging the stomach in certain ways can help promote the smooth movement of food through the digestive tract, strengthen digestion and food absorption, and relieve common problems like bloating and indigestion. It can also help in improving blood circulation, relieve emotional stress, and promote overall wellbeing, she says.

Ooi’s claims have a basis in conventional medical physiology as well. According to one expert, massages such as these activate the parasympathetic nervous system, ultimately resulting in the relaxation of shoulder and neck muscles, which can in turn have the secondary effect of aiding in reducing bloating.

For a proper tummy massage that works, Ooi advised “gentle, clockwise, circular motions” using the palm of your hand, following the “natural path of digestion”, for about five to ten minutes. She, however, also cautioned that the massage should be immediately stopped, if you feel any pain, discomfort, nausea, or otherwise unpleasant digestive symptoms.

Although these massages can be done at any time to promote overall well-being, they are most effective at reducing bloating when they are done a couple of minutes after or before a meal.

It is also important to note that though massages like this can help in the short term, if you experience recurring or long-term issues, you should consult with a licensed medical professional.