An Abdominal Massage can help before intense exercise or competition. An abdominal massage helps prepare a person for activity both mentally and physically.

An abdominal massage aims to prepare a person for activity psychologically and by reducing Muscle tightness.

An abdominal massage also helps to get a person psychologically prepared. There are two types of ways a person can be psychologically prepared and this can be dependent on the type of sport or activity they are going to be carrying out. One way in which a person can be psychologically prepared is by an increase in heart rate and adrenaline within the body. This way is more common for a person preparing for an activity that involves more short bursts of movements, and a lot more energy. An increase in heart rate provides the muscles with more oxygen and nutrients so that they are less likely to fatigue. An increase in adrenaline provides the body with more energy for the activity they are about to take part in.

Another way an abdominal massage can help a person get prepared for activity is by increasing relaxation hormones within the body. This way is more common for activities that require a lot more focus. An increase in the hormones serotonin and dopamine occurs, helping the body to mentally relax and concentrate, ready for the activity that is about to take place.

Before exercise or competition, muscles are more likely to be tight. Tight muscles can restrict range of movement and flexibility. An abdominal massage helps to relax and loosen muscle tightness so that restriction is decreased and range of movement and flexibility is increased. An increase in range of movement and flexibility helps to reduce the chances of injury. When range of movement is restricted, injuries such as pulls, tears and stains are more likely to occur during short bursts of movement. An increased range of movement allows the muscle to stretch further and more quickly during activity so that damage does not occur.

A common technique used during an abdominal massage is deep strokes. Deep strokes are performed with flattened hands and fingers. Deep strokes are used to get deep into the muscle tissues so a firm pressure is applied. Deep strokes help to decrease pain by reducing muscle tightness and increasing tissue elasticity. Tight muscles are loosened to reduce restriction which may be causing pain during movement. Muscle tissues are also loosened and stretched so that elasticity is increased to help flexibility. Increasing tissue elasticity further reduces restriction. Reducing muscle tightness and increasing tissue elasticity through an abdominal massage allows a person to have an increased range of movement without pain.

Skin rolling is used during an abdominal massage. Skin rolling is where skin is picked up and rolled between the fingers and thumbs. Skin rolling is an effective way of relieving the tightness of muscle and fascia. Fascia is located beneath the skin and is a thin layer of connective tissues that can create restriction when tight. Skin rolling helps to increase the temperature of muscles and fascia to help them stretch and loosen to relieve tightness and restriction. By reducing tightness and restriction, skin rolling also helps to reduce muscular pain.

Wringing is a common technique used during an abdominal massage. Wringing involves picking up the muscle tissues from each side of the abdomen and pulling it in opposite directions towards the centre. Pressure is adjusted from light to firm within wringing. Wringing helps to relax and stretch the muscles within the abdomen, relieving any muscle tightness, tension and stress.

A technique used during an abdominal massage is kneading. Kneading is where soft tissues within muscles are slowly pulled and squeezed. Kneading helps to improve blood and lymph flow to loosen tissues. Blood and lymph flow are both increased as muscle temperature rises due to the pulling and squeezing actions of the soft tissues. Improving blood and lymph flow helps to increase cellular exchange in the tissues as there is a rise in the quantity of oxygen and nutrients to be provided to the muscles that can be exchanged for metabolic wastes. Increasing cellular exchange results in a decrease of muscular fatigue and aids in the maintenance of stronger and healthier muscles. Connective tissues are also loosened as muscle temperature increases. Pulling on the tissues helps them to stretch and increase in elasticity resulting in a decrease of restriction. Decreasing restriction increases range of movement and decreases pain.