Doctor says massage technique can 'banish a bloated belly in five minutes'

A medical professional has suggested a massage technique that could potentially alleviate bloating in as little as five minutes.

Bloating, a common issue, can cause discomfort for several hours or even days. It typically happens when there's an excess of gas in your stomach. This can be triggered by various foods and drinks, such as certain vegetables and fizzy beverages, or from swallowing air while eating.

Digestive issues like constipation, food intolerance, coeliac disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can also lead to bloating. If your belly feels full or larger than usual, you might be experiencing bloating.

Other symptoms include abdominal pain or discomfort, noisy stomach sounds, and increased flatulence. Keeping a food diary may help identify triggers and eliminate problematic foods.

Some individuals may experience bloating during their menstrual cycle. However, persistent bloating that doesn't subside could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as ovarian cancer, reports Wales Online.

If you frequently experience bloating or it doesn't go away, it's advisable to consult a GP. While treatment isn't usually necessary for bloating and it often resolves on its own, there are several home remedies that can speed up the process.

These include avoiding fatty and salty foods, drinking more water, exercising, and using a warm compress. Peppermint, ginger and chamomile tea are all known for their anti-bloating benefits. Additionally, there are over-the-counter remedies that may offer temporary relief from bloating.

A quick-fix method to alleviate a bloated stomach in mere minutes has been shared by Dr Karan Rajan on Instagram. Dr Rajan, an NHS surgeon and lecturer at Sunderland University, suggests trying a 'lymphatic drainage massage'.

Dr Rajan explains the potential benefits of this massage: "If you suffer with bloating and gas, this massage might give your bowels a happy ending."

A demonstration video features a woman performing the massage technique, which involves a massaging your gut in a 'rainbow' motion across the abdomen from right to left.

Further detailing the procedure, Dr Rajan advises: "If you begin your massage in the lower right hand corner of your abdomen, near the inside of your hip bone, this corresponds to the beginning of your ascending colon. While maintaining a firm pressure, massage up the right hand side of your abdomen, tracing along the path of the large intestine."

He recommends doing the massage in the morning when bowel activity is naturally higher and stresses the importance of massaging in a clockwise direction, from right to left. Dr Rajan highlights that this can be a non-medicinal approach to managing bloating as it not only helps to manually move bowel contents along but also simulates peristalsis - the natural movement of the gut.

He elaborated: "That's the wavelike contractions of your intestines. This means increasing intestinal motility, which equals better gas and poop dynamics, which equals less bloating."

However, the doctor did issue a cautionary note. "This is not a quick fix, but it can be a useful, low risk adjunct to other strategies - like hydrating more, exercising more and eating more fibre. If you continue to struggle with bloating or constipation, don't just deal with it, your bowel health is important, and chronic constipation and bloating are signs that something is amiss."

In the comment section, one follower responded: "This is exactly the technique Indian grandmums used to use on small babies up to the age of 1 to deal with colic and gas. Happy to know it works on adults too."

A second claimed: "My gastroenterologist suggested doing this with a vibrating back massager years ago when I was having sad IBS-C issues and it's actually super helpful. Definitely prefer it to taking magnesium." A third wrote: "I do this with my toddler when he hasn't pooped in a day or two. Works every time."

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