The Best Ways to Treat Stomach Pain
Oh how we long for the days when our “tummy hurted” and Mommy or Daddy could rub it all better! As an adult a simple stomach massage might not be quite enough (see below for more on that) and your best remedy may also depend on the precise nature of your stomach ache. Generally speaking, stomach pain can be related to:
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Bloating
- Excessive belching
- Excessive flatulence
- Nausea
- Lack of appetite
And there are of course others, though how to tackle them isn’t always clear. A good rule of thumb: if it’s worked for you before keep it up, but don’t expect anything to work consistently because sometimes you just might need to take a more complicated approach. And planning ahead is often key to dealing with stomach pain.
- Drink Warm Fluids. Plain old hot water, coffee or teas without dairy or sugar (providing the caffeine doesn’t bother you) can be very helpful in keeping things moving in your digestive system. Especially in cold weather avoid anything cold, frozen or even raw if you get stomach pain, as this all can contribute to your upset.
- Get Natural Therapies. A nice abdominal massage can go a long way to making you feel better; even check out our YouTube playlist for videos on how to massage your own abdomen, as this can be extremely helpful in reducing your stomach pain. Look to counselling if your upset is stress-induced, and take on some acupuncture or naturopathic medicine if you need some holistic support.
- Don’t Eat. This sounded catchier than “watch what you eat,” but that’s basically what’s meant here so sorry for any confusion. Of course intermittent fasting can sometimes help with stomach upset if done right, so talk to one of our naturopathic doctors about that. In the meantime try warm foods like ginger and spicier foods as well, unless these cause upset for you. Look to (cooked) vegetables for fibre and/or add a scoop of psyllium fibre to your day as this can be great for not only cleaning you out, but also bulking things up and calming down diarrhea.
- Exercise. Not too much, and not too little. There are general rules out there for how much you SHOULD work out, but try doing a little more or a little less and you might see your body react positively. And if you are wondering about what specific exercises to be doing, consult one of our physiotherapists.
- Get some rest. Yes, a proper sleep can help your body function better in general, including in regards to your digestive system. If sleeping is an issue for you, try some acupuncture, counselling or naturopathic medicine.
If you’d like some more information, would like to book a free consultation or would like to go ahead and schedule an appointment at Yellow Gazebo, please give us a call at 416-909-2334, email us at info@yellowgazeboclinic.com, or use the online booking link below. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way to optimum health.
