09/14/2026
“I’ve never had a massage therapist work on my stomach before!”
I hear this All. The. Time.
But abdominal work is actually something many of my clients specifically come to me for—and it can be incredibly useful when practiced safely, appropriately, and with client consent.
And no, it doesn't always mean you're lying there with your belly exposed! A lot of the abdominal work I do can be performed comfortably over the sheet.
Here are just a few reasons we might work in the abdominal area during a massage.
- Low-back pain that's not responding to work ON the lower back.
Deep postural muscles through the abdomen and front of the hips can affect the pelvis and place extra strain on the low back. Sometimes we need to check the other side!
- Scar tissue & surgical history.
Once everything is appropriately healed, abdominal work can help improve mobility in tissues that feel restricted following many different types of abdominal surgeries.
- Lymphatic drainage & swelling.
The abdomen can be a very important part of lymphatic work. Depending on the client, I may incorporate gentle manual lymphatic techniques or lymphatic cupping when working with appropriate swelling, postpartum edema, or as part of established lymphedema care.
- Pregnancy
Gentle, pregnancy-appropriate work can help address tension around the abdomen, hips, and round-ligament area as everything stretches, shifts, and makes room for baby. Abdominal work may also be incorporated when we're supporting comfortable movement and function of the abdominal wall.
With over 600 muscles, and around 100 of those being in the abdominal and trunk area, it's no wonder abdominal massage can be so very beneficial.
I tell my clients all the time: the body is one big, complicated marionette puppet. Pull on one string and it affects the whole rest of the body.
Everything is connected, so the spot that hurts, swells, pulls, or just doesn't feel right isn't always the spot that actually needs the most attention.
So if I say, “Can I check your abdomen?” when you came in complaining about your back… I haven't forgotten where you said it hurts.
Sometimes we just need to follow the strings.
