Nothing Helped My Tummy Problems Quite Like This Pressure Point Therapy

You name it, I've tried it: magnesium citrate supplements, abdominal massages, homeopathic silica pellets, senna tea. All treatments that were meant to alleviate the bloating, constipation, and other gut issues I've been dealing with ever since I developed a digestive disorder called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).

SIBO occurs when excess bacteria build up in the small intestine — and sadly, nothing I've tried has offered lasting improvements. At least, not until I stumbled across some promising research about reflexology. One 2020 study showed that people had improved bowel movements and less constipation after just one month of weekly 30-minute reflexology sessions post-breakfast. Another small study showed that 94 percent of participants reported reduced constipation symptoms after six weeks of reflexology.

These numbers gave me a glimmer of hope. Could reflexology be the breakthrough treatment I've been seeking for my gut woes? I decided to find out. Read on to see how reflexology worked for me, including whether it helped with my #HotGirlStomachIssues.

Experts Featured in This Story

Erika Martin-Ware is a reflexology practitioner at Release Well-Being Center in Boston.

What is Reflexology?

Reflexology is an alternative medicine practice that applies gentle pressure to specific points on the hands, feet, and ears. "It's based on the idea that these points correspond to different organs and systems in the body," says reflexology practitioner Erika Martin-Ware. "By applying pressure to these points, reflexologists aim to promote relaxation, improve circulation, reduce tension, restore balance, and potentially stimulate the body's natural healing processes. The mechanisms behind reflexology may involve activation of the nervous system, increasing blood flow to specific areas, or enhancing the body's own self-regulatory processes."

Reflexology For Digestion

People turn to reflexology to help with pain management, insomnia, menstrual cramps, and migraines, Martin-Ware says. In terms of bloating and constipation, reflexology can help alleviate discomfort and keep things moving (literally). There are multiple pressure points that are linked to organs involved in digestion, and applying pressure to these points may help to clear blockages and promote regular bowel movements.

But that's not all. Recent studies also indicate that reflexology can help reduce stress and anxiety, both of which I've long suspected are at the root of my gut issues. (The gut-brain connection is so real.) Researchers think this may be because reflexology activates the parasympathetic nervous system — also known as the "rest and digest" response — which helps the body return to a state of relaxation.

For digestive issues like constipation, reflexologists typically focus on the following areas of the feet:

My Reflexology Experience

My entire reflexology session lasted one hour, but it flew by. After I got situated on the massage table, my reflexology practitioner at the Release Well-Being Center, Marquia McCall, started by asking about my specific goals in order to tailor the experience to my needs. Fun fact: McCall told me that there are certain pressure points that can actually induce labor, which is why it's super important to tell your practitioner if you're pregnant (or if there's any chance you might be).

I was a little nervous about getting ticklish during a reflexology session. I'm not used to having my feet handled. But to my relief, the pressure was firm enough that it never made me squirm — although McCall did tell me that some clients have actually involuntarily kicked her in a fit of giggles.

All in all, the experience felt like a deeply relaxing foot massage. First McCall applied what felt like a sugar scrub to my feet, and proceeded to target different areas of my foot and ankle with her fingers. She followed up with a creamy lotion, which seemed to allow for longer strokes. Truthfully, I didn't want it to end. Afterwards, I felt a sense of warmth, and what can only be described as a tingling sensation radiating from my feet.

After she was done with my feet, McCall moved onto my hands briefly to apply firm yet gentle pressure to several points before ending with the most luxurious head massage for additional stress relief. For the last 15 minutes or so, I felt circular strokes all around my scalp, as well as some brief but pleasant static pressure on the back of my neck.

I was so relaxed by the end of the session, it was actually a little hard to lift my body up. Once I did sit up, I was a tad woozy. McCall told me this was normal and strongly encouraged me to drink plenty of water. Just like a massage, reflexology can mobilize toxins and fluids to be released from your tissues, so it's important to stay hydrated.

My Results

While driving home from the Release Well-Being Center, I felt like I was floating on a cloud. I wouldn't say my anxiety and stress totally disappeared, but it definitely seemed like reflexology softened the edges significantly. That night, I slept better than I had in weeks.

Is reflexology a gut cure-all? No. But to expect my symptoms to suddenly disappear after a single hour-long session would be unrealistic. It's been a full week since my reflexology experience and I've noticed that I'm feeling less bloated — particularly in the mornings — and my constipation has improved by about 20 percent. That's pretty impressive for one session.

Martin-Ware says a lot of people report noticing immediate benefits, although weekly sessions over the course of four to eight weeks are ideal if you're trying to address an acute health issue. "The full benefits of reflexology, particularly for specific issues like constipation, pain, or chronic conditions, may require a series of sessions to see more lasting or significant results," Martin-Ware says.

With that in mind, I'm excited to see how my gut issues improve after a few more reflexology appointments. At the very least, I can tell that the treatment is helping me address underlying triggers, like emotional stress and anxiety. Not to mention, it's way more pleasant than trying to choke down another supplement. This hot girl might still have stomach issues, but at least there's something out there that'll provide some much-needed relief.

— Additional reporting by Chandler Plante

Rebecca Strong is a Boston-based health, wellness, and dating writer with bylines in Insider, Bustle, AskMen, Elite Daily, Eat This Not That, HuffPost, and more.

Chandler Plante (she/her) is an assistant health and fitness editor for PS. She has over four years of professional journalism experience, previously working as an editorial assistant for People magazine and contributing to Ladygunn, Millie, and Bustle Digital Group.