This post answers the question: Does belly massage reduce fat? We look at 5 ways abdominal massage can help you get a flatter tummy.
The idea of simply massaging away belly fat is very enticing, right? After all, who wouldn’t want to receive a relaxing massage instead of crunching away belly flab at the gym.
While the idea might sound far fetched, there is actually some evidence that massage can play a role in weight loss.
While massage alone cannot replace good old fashioned diet and exercise, it can potentially help speed up fat loss, particularly in the belly area.
Beyond that, massage also has other benefits that can promote a sleek, tighter, and more toned looking belly. And anything that can get us closer to our flat belly goals and bikini abs has our thumbs up!
In this article, we’ll separate fact from fiction and show you how belly massage can fit into your flat belly game plan.
5 Ways Massage Can Enhance Belly Fat Loss
Let’s take a closer look at the way massage can enhance belly fat loss and promote an overall slimmer-looking tummy.
May help break down stored fat
According to some scientific evidence, regular massage can help you lose belly fat. This is because massage may help break down fat cells and allow them to be absorbed into the body.
In one study, participants saw an average of 2mm reduction in their waistlines through massage alone. In a second study, post-menopausal women showed a reduction in abdominal fat and waist circumference after 6 weeks of aromatherapy massage.
The fat loss in both studies was minimal, however when it comes to fat loss we’ll take what we can get – even if it’s a little!
Assists with lymphatic drainage
Massage is a great way to increase circulation and stimulate the lymphatic system. By encouraging lymphatic drainage, massage can help reduce water retention and decrease belly bloating.
Promotes digestion and elimination
Research has shown that abdominal massage can help increase your digestion rate and alleviate constipation via gentle stimulation.
If constipation is causing your stomach to look bloated or swollen, massage can help you address the issue and thus appear slimmer.
Reduces stress
Did you know that stress can lead to excess belly fat? Chronic stress leads to an increase in cortisol levels, which is directly linked to increased fat storage in the belly area.
Massage is an excellent way to reduce stress, which means it can help with your overall belly fat goals by reducing your cortisol levels.
In fact, a study published in the International Journal of Neuroscience confirmed that massage therapy can reduce stress levels. There was an average 31% decrease in cortisol levels and 28% increase of serotonin. Dopamine levels were 31% higher.
Promotes skin tightening
Massage can assist with the overall firmness of your tummy area by helping with skin tightening.
This is because massage increases blood flow and stimulates your fibroblasts. Fibroblasts are cells responsible for the production of connective tissue, like collagen and elastin and help to keep the skin firm.
Studies have also shown that massage can increase mitochondrial production (this powers cells to do their jobs). There is a connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and skin aging.
What are the Best Belly Fat Massage Techniques?
Now that you know what massage can and can’t do, let’s cover 2 of the best belly fat massage techniques to assist you with your flat tummy goals!
Dry brush massage
Dry brushing is an excellent massage technique for the belly area that offers numerous benefits.
Dry brushing works by using a natural bristle brush to massage and exfoliate the skin. The friction against the skin will help to drain your lymph nodes and brush away any dead skin cells, leaving you feeling baby smooth and bloat-free!
We recommend using a high quality natural bristle brush like the Tone & Glow Body Brush. To use, brush over dry skin for several minutes before showering.
Abdominal self-massage
This video demonstrates how to do a 9 minute self stomach massage for weight loss. This massage can potentially help with digestion, bloating, and a whole load of other benefits – and takes less than 10 minutes!
Boost Your Results with Tummy Sleek
Looking to get the most from your belly massage and level up your flat tummy goals?
You can get even better results by adding skincare products to your massage routine. By using topical products with specific active ingredients, you can further enhance the tightening, toning effects of massage.
We recommend Tummy Sleek. Our tummy tightening serum helps firm the skin in the abdominal area, while reducing puffiness and bloat. It’s packed with caffeine and circulation-boosting botanical ingredients.
HOW TO USE IT: Apply a thin layer of Tummy Sleek to the belly area after doing your dry brush massage or abdominal self-massage. It’s important to note that you should wash off any massage oil (if you used any) before applying Tummy Sleek.
