Digestion S.O.S? Reflexology to the Rescue!

Pui Parmar
Jun 19, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Oct 23, 2023

abdomen of woman indicating how reflexology can help with digestiive issues

Digestive wellness

Digestive stuff is all about the organs in your body that break down food into useful bits. But years of food, stress, and other stuff can mess with your gut, causing problems such as bloating, diarrhoea, constipation, tummy pain, indigestion, and heartburn. Believe it or not, around 40% of people usually have one or more of these issues at any given time. So, what causes this messed-up digestion? Well, there are many reasons, but stress is the biggie. Stress loves to mess with your gut, and when it does, your whole body suffers.

Bowel habits, whats normal?

Everyone's bathroom routine is different, depending on what you eat, how much you drink, and how active you are. Age, pregnancy, and stress levels can also play a role. Generally, it's considered healthy to have a bowel movement anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. The process should be painless, with stools that are neither too watery nor too hard. When nature calls, there shouldn't be any rush or difficulty pushing things out. Keep in mind that certain medications can mess with your digestion and cause gut problems as side effects.

How can Reflexology help with digestive issues?

Reflexology is a natural way to give your digestion a boost and get everything working together smoothly. Good digestion is important for the absorption of nutrients which help keep skin, hair, nails, muscles and bones healthy. But its more than that, in fact most of your immune system is in your gut, so if it’s sluggish, your immunity can be compromised. A series of reflexology treatments can help to increase blood flow and stimulation to the digestive system and decrease stress to that area of your body. This will help your body to heal itself from the inside out. Correct choice of foods will help as well!

Food tips for a healthy gut!

Here's a list of foods that are good for your tummy and can help prevent issues like constipation, heartburn, and IBS symptoms:

1. Load up on fibre to keep things moving smoothly. Foods like wholemeal bread, brown rice, fruits, vegetables, beans, and oats are all great sources of fiber. If cereals and grains give you bloating or IBS symptoms, focus on getting your fibre from fruits and veggies instead.

2. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, especially water. It helps your digestive system and keeps your poop soft. Fibre needs water to work properly, so make sure to drink a glass of water with each meal. Avoid caffeine drinks since they can cause heartburn.

3. Cut down on fatty foods like chips, burgers, and fried stuff. They're harder to digest and can lead to stomach pain and heartburn. Opt for lean meats, fish, skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, and try grilling instead of frying.

4. Spicy foods can cause tummy troubles for some people. Even milder spices like garlic and onion can trigger heartburn. If you're sensitive to spicy foods, take it easy on them or avoid them altogether if you already have heartburn or IBS.

5. Watch out for food triggers that affect your gut. Acidic foods like tomatoes, citrus fruits, salad dressings, and fizzy drinks can cause heartburn. Wheat and onions may trigger IBS symptoms. If you're lactose intolerant, dairy products can give you wind and diarrhea. Keep a food diary to identify the foods that worsen your symptoms and try to avoid them.

6. Choose the right drinks to ease digestion. Caffeinated drinks like coffee, colas, and tea can increase stomach acid, leading to heartburn. Fizzy drinks can cause bloating. Opt for non-fizzy and caffeine-free options like herbal teas, milk, and plain water. If you can't live without your coffee or tea, limit yourself to 1 or 2 cups a day.

7. Consider probiotics, which are "friendly bacteria" found naturally in the gut. They may help with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. You can find probiotic supplements in health food stores or get them from live yoghurt, which is a natural source.

Remember, everyone's digestive system is different, so pay attention to how your body reacts to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.

When digestion is a concern:

If your tummy is acting up, it usually sorts itself out with time. But sometimes, it could be a sign of something more serious, so please seek medical advice if you experience the following: