Three Game-Changing Tips to Master Gut Health
(One of these tips will surprise you!)
Photo by Artem Bryzgalov on Unsplash
Introduction
This article will explore three ways your muscles contribute to a healthy digestive system and share a simple yet powerful activity to enhance your vitality.
Ever thought about the connection between your postural muscles and your digestive system? Maybe you should because muscles, usually linked with strength and movement, play a crucial role in supporting digestion and overall health.
First: The Power of Chewing Properly (it's boring but true)
We’ve all been told to “take time to chew our food.” But did you know that thorough chewing isn’t just about breaking down food? It also stimulates saliva production, a key part of the digestive process. Proper chewing prevents food from decomposing in the wrong part of the digestive tract and promotes overall digestive health. Ignoring this simple action leads to many health issues. So, use those jaw muscles and chew your food well.
Second: Importance of Good Posture
When muscles work harmoniously, they allow us to stand upright and move with ease. But when they fail to communicate effectively, they can cause tension, pain, and disrupt our posture. Good posture isn’t just about appearing tall and confident; it enables internal organs to function optimally without pressure from body slumping. Imagine being a stomach trying to function under the weight of the upper body weight collapsed onto it. This strain contributes to disruptions in the digestive system.
Third: Secret Reflexes
Here’s an interesting fact: our bodies have reflex zones that directly impact specific organs, including the intestines. Gently activating these zones with fingertip pressure can positively influence these organs and offer benefits such as:
Improved Organ Function: For example, improved intestinal functions and bowel movements.
Muscular Reboot: Stimulating these reflexes helps the thigh muscles at the neuro-muscular level. In addition to improved thigh strength and quicker toning in response to exercise, activating these reflexes supports greater endurance for walking and running. Moving your body also improves movement through your digestive tract too.
Enhanced Lymphatic Flow: Activating these reflexes increases the flow of lymphatic fluid in the abdominal muscles, intestines and the thighs. This helps carry away waste products such as lactic acid, reducing muscle soreness experienced by these muscles after physical activity. (There is no need to ‘walk funny’ for a few days after unaccustomed exercise!)
The reflex areas depicted in the graphic below were first mapped by osteopathic physician Dr. Frank Chapman in the 1930s and later incorporated into Applied Kinesiology by chiropractor Dr. George Goodheart Jr. in the 1960s. They act as a neurological interface between the nervous system and the intestinal lymphatic system.
How to Activate These Digestive Reflexes
Activating these reflexes is easy. Use the flat of your fingers or the heel of your hand to apply firm yet comfortable pressure along these areas. Use smooth strokes or circular motions along the indicated areas. Activate these individually or in pairs for at least 30 seconds each.
Bonus Tip: If you typically experience lower body muscle soreness after a workout, activate these reflex zones after your fitness activities. Notice that your usual discomfort likely doesn’t appear or it isn't as intense. If you wait to do this until the next day and feel that familiar ache, you’ll usually feel relief within minutes or hours rather than days. If you engage in particularly strenuous activities, consider rubbing these for up to three minutes for maximum benefit.
Second Bonus Tip: If you activate these reflexes before your fitness activity, you will usually notice greater ease in the activity, greater strength of the leg and abdominal muscles, and/or greater endurance. Test it by using the squat machine or squat cage, hamstring curl machine, or any abdominal exercise. Notice that the activity seems easier, you can do more reps or add extra resistance because these muscles are responding more optimally, and therefore will strengthen and tone faster. Tell me what you notice!
One fantastic bio-mechanical benefit of activating these reflexes is the balance it brings to opposing thigh muscles, which directly impacts knee health. Studies have shown that this helps the body restore a 1:1 pull ratio across the knee joint, thereby reducing the risk of injuries.
Key Takeaway
Supporting digestion is crucial for regaining and maintaining good health. Simple practices like mindful chewing, maintaining good posture, and activating neurological reflexes can significantly improve your overall wellness. These activities are easy to incorporate into your daily routine and offer lasting benefits. Remember, your muscles play a significant role in your digestive health, so take good care of them.
Follow me for a future article on reflexes that support the upper body and Nervous System, Liver, Stomach and Pancreas.
© Denise Cambiotti 2024, Founder and Course Specialist at Muscle Tuners International Inc.
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