Constipation? US doctor recommends abdominal massage for quick relief (here's how to do it)

Constipation is actually pretty common in the United States. Around 15% of the population deals with chronic constipation, with estimates ranging from about 9% up to even 20% depending on how it’s defined.

That means tens of millions of Americans struggle with this issue! It’s not just an “old person’s problem” either—while it’s most frequent in people over 65 (where about a third may be affected), it can happen at any age. Women are about three times more likely than men to say they’re constipated, and it tends to be reported more among nonwhite populations as well.People often don’t talk to their doctors about it—even though it’s uncomfortable.

Most people try to handle it themselves with over-the-counter remedies rather than prescriptions. If you feel constipated, you’re definitely not alone, and it’s one of the most common reasons people see a GI doctor. While it might not sound serious, it can really mess with daily life and even costs the healthcare system billions of dollars every year.Recently, Dr. Joseph Salhab, popularly known as thestomachdoc, shared an easy home remedy for constipation relief. He took to Instagram to share details of abdominal massage and how to do it to get relief from constipation.

Abdominal massage: Steps to do it

First lie on your backKnees bent and feet flat on the bedRelax the abdominal musclesUse gentle circular pressure starting from the bottom right of your bellyGo up, then go across and then go down and then to the center.Repeat this every five minutesHe also recommended sacral inhibition, in which light pressure is placed overyour sacrum for 2-3 mins. For this you have to lie your belly. Sacral inhibition sounds like some super complicated medical term, but it’s actually a hands-on technique often used in osteopathic medicine and physical therapy to help calm the body down.

Basically, it involves a therapist placing gentle, steady pressure over the sacrum—that flat, triangular bone at the base of your spine, right above your tailbone.Why do this? The sacrum connects closely with the nervous system, especially the parasympathetic nerves that influence digestion, bladder control, and relaxation responses. When a practitioner applies firm but gentle pressure, it can “reset” or calm overactive nerve signals.

Think of it as pressing the body’s “chill out” button.Sacral inhibition is sometimes used to help with issues like constipation, pelvic tension, urinary problems, or even stress. It’s also a technique used for infants with bowel troubles and adults dealing with irritable bowel symptoms. The best part? It’s non-invasive, safe, and often feels like a deep, grounding release.So, in short—sacral inhibition is like giving your nervous system a little nudge to get back in balance, especially when your gut or lower pelvic region isn’t playing nice. Simple, gentle, but surprisingly powerful.