03 · Abdominal Massage · Internal Organ Work
Chi Nei Tsang
The belly is not just the centre of the body - it is the centre of the self.
What is Chi Nei Tsang?
Chi Nei Tsang (氣內臟) means "working the energy of the internal organs." It is an ancient Taoist healing practice that originated in the monasteries of China, where monks used abdominal massage to detoxify, strengthen and support the body's vital energy. It was brought to the West by Master Mantak Chia - under whom I trained personally in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Unlike any other massage, Chi Nei Tsang works directly with the abdomen - the organs, fascia, connective tissue, and the meridian channels that converge at the body's core. In Chinese medicine, the belly is the second brain: the place where unprocessed emotions are stored, where chronic stress accumulates, and where the body's vital energy (Qi) is generated and distributed.
When we cannot fully digest an experience - grief, fear, long-term stress - the body stores it. Most often, in the gut.
What the Research Shows
Digestive Health & IBS
Multiple peer-reviewed studies confirm that abdominal massage significantly reduces IBS symptoms, improves gut motility, and relieves constipation. A 2024 meta-analysis across 23 studies and 1,431 participants found that abdominal massage increased weekly bowel movements, decreased gut transit time, and measurably improved constipation symptoms compared to control groups.
Menstrual Pain
Clinical trials show abdominal massage significantly reduces menstrual cramping. In one study of 85 women, just 5 minutes of abdominal meridian massage per day over 6 days produced a statistically significant reduction in dysmenorrhoea. A separate study on endometriosis patients reported 65% pain relief sustained six weeks after treatment ended.
Nervous System & Anxiety
Abdominal bodywork activates the vagus nerve - the great connector between gut and brain - shifting the body from a stress state into parasympathetic rest and repair. Research confirms that massage measurably increases heart rate variability, a key marker of nervous system health and resilience.
Chronic Fatigue
A systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed that massage therapy significantly reduces both physical and mental fatigue. A randomised controlled trial specifically studying abdominal Tuina for chronic fatigue syndrome found improvements in neurological markers associated with energy regulation and recovery.
Emotional Release
The gut contains over 100 million nerve cells and produces approximately 90% of the body's serotonin. Research in somatic therapy consistently shows that bodywork reduces emotional stress, improves body awareness, and supports the processing of experiences held physically in the body.
The Session
With slow, conscious, deeply attentive touch I work through the layers of the abdomen - listening to what is held there, and gently inviting release.
Each session moves through:
- The organs - stomach, intestines, liver, gallbladder, kidneys, uterus - releasing tension, improving circulation and function
- The connective tissue - unwinding patterns of chronic physical holding
- The energy channels - restoring the free flow of Qi through the body's core
- The emotional body - creating space for what has been carried too long to be set down
Clients often describe leaving a session feeling lighter - as though something they had forgotten they were carrying has finally been released.
Good for
Digestive issues · IBS and bloating · Constipation · Menstrual pain · Anxiety and emotional tension · Chronic fatigue · Hormonal imbalance · Stress held in the body · Low energy and vitality · Post-surgical abdominal recovery
"When the belly is free, the whole life breathes differently."
Investment
60 MIN
€110
80 MIN
€125
*All treatments are personalised. A consultation takes place before every first session.*
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