Abdominal therapy: what the research says

Small studies suggest regular tummy massage may ease constipation. Stress, sleep and other uses have not been studied.

What a session is

A practitioner uses gentle massage on your tummy (abdomen), often with some work on your lower back, while you lie down. Styles include Maya abdominal massage, and many sessions also teach you a self-massage to use at home.

What the research says

• Constipation: Reviews of small studies found daily tummy massage may ease constipation. The largest careful trial found only a small, uncertain benefit. Limited evidence · International Journal of Nursing Studies, 2025 · Cochrane, 2024 · NIHR Health Technology Assessment, 2018
• IBS and bloating: Not studied well in the sources we use. Most studies looked at constipation only. No good evidence yet
• Sleep, stress, worry, low mood, back pain, menopause and grief: Not studied in the sources we use. No good evidence yet

More on each need: Sleep better

Is it safe?

Tummy massage is gentle, and studies reported few, mild side effects. Ask your doctor first if you are expecting a baby, have had a bowel blockage, inflammatory bowel disease, a hernia or a recent operation on your tummy. See a GP about blood in your poo or a sudden change in your bowel habits. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 2026 · NHS Leeds Community Healthcare, 2026 · NHS, 2023

Sessions on Sissoo complement medical care and never replace it. Please don’t stop or change any treatment without talking to your doctor.

Sessions on Sissoo

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Checked 17 October 2026. Next check by April 2027. How we rate the evidence.