It might not be belly fat! Is your belly sticking out more than usual.

Have you ever experienced a time where your stomach is sticking out? maybe your back is hurting or not feeling quiet right, maybe there is also a bloated feeling as well. You didn't necessarily gain a lot of weight over night the answer may be hidden in muscle tensions or Lymphatic congestion.

Stomach of healthy person that is a little bit more swollen than usual

In this blog post I will talk about Muscle and Lymphatic based reasons your stomach may be sticking out more.

A women came to me for a stomach lymphatic drainage treatment. Her stomach was lacking definition, and the side of her abdomen were sagging. For her frame it didn't look like it matched. This is typical of a woman who had recently given birth but not of someone who has NEVER!! had children. She was also getting frequent headaches but eating really well and getting daily exercise. It didn't make sense then I felt it.......

In lymphatic drainage we often scoop from the lower back forward to the front midline and this where all her tension was! It was her transverse abdominus muscle, it was so tight it was pulling her abdominal muscles out and apart in the front. I released this tension and worked to reduce the fluid in the area with Lymphatic drainage and her body looked normal again. Typically, I refer onto a Physiotherapist who specializes in Diastasis Recti but the client didn't feel it was needed. She is monitoring it closely.

What was the cause of her stomach muscle separation? Turns out 4 months before she had a really bad cough that went on for weeks and that

Her feelings of bloat were likely more ones of weakness and lack of support in her lower abdomen, but it is not uncommon for any virus or period of illness to throw out the bacterial balance in the stomach. This is something you should talk to your Gp, Pharmacist or Naturopath about.

Lower back tension

Lower back tension can also cause the stomach to push outwards by changing the alignment of the pelvis. Using stretching, heat packs and Massage (self or professional) can help release these muscles. Often the body will be out of alignment in the middle back and head/neck as well so it may take a little bit of work to bring about a longer lasting change. Strengthening the muscles of the lower abdomen may also help to bring about balance in the common pattern of tense lower back, weak lower abs we often see.

Man stretching his left hip flexor to reduce his stomach from sticking out

Tight hip flexors

Tension in the Hip flexors is a really common one for causing the pot belly look but is often accompanied with lower back pain or tension. Working on hip flexors flexibility often helps but getting associate muscles tensions released through something like remedial massage or Myotherapy is often needed.

Tight muscles causing stomach to poke out and lower back to arch

Swelling in the stomach or back area is another reason stomachs sometimes pull outwards. Fluid can build up in the tissues for lots a reasons.

Common mechanisms I see in clinic are: Overuse of sodium from food or over the counter medications, overload in Lymphatic vessels in the armpits or collarbone area and lower back, lack of movement like those with desk jobs, scar tissue from surgeries, and tension in the torso which inhibits the action of muscles on the lymphatic system. This last one is really common, the spine, pelvis and ribs should be able to move well in order for the natural lymphatic pumps to work well.

At home: rolling stretching, self massage can help to get more motion in the body.

In clinic: I always check tensions that effect the lymph system, often releasing the back muscles or muscles in the upper chest is a big part of initial treatments. in a healthy person when mobility is returned to the spine and ribs then you can massage your own lymph vessels just by moving and breathing.

Always talk to your Gp when something isn't right. The above blog is not medical advise and should not be taken as such.

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