In this episode, we’re diving deep (literally!) into the world of abdominal massage—a powerful yet often overlooked tool for supporting digestion, relieving abdominal discomfort, and improving gut health. Our guest, Benedict San Juan, shares how this hands-on technique can benefit those struggling with IBS, constipation, bloating, reflux, PMS, and even post-surgical adhesions.
⏱️ Chapters:
- (00:00) – Welcome & episode intro
- (01:06) – Meet guest: Benny San Juan, RMT
- (05:56) – Intro to abdominal massage: benefits & common conditions
- (08:18) – How Benny got into abdominal massage
- (10:16) – Patient response & common concerns
- (12:19) – Visceral hypersensitivity & IBS
- (15:47) – What a typical treatment session looks like
- (21:45) – Session structure: full-body + abdominal massage
- (22:59) – Diaphragmatic breathing & relaxation
- (24:52) – Frequency of treatment
- (26:10) – Proactive vs reactive massage strategy
- (26:46) – Benny’s holistic, tailored treatment approach
- (27:13) – Hot/cold therapy (contrast hydrotherapy)
- (32:35) – What is visceral manipulation & how it differs
- (34:53) – Cautions & contraindications
- (37:50) – What if a patient is in a flare-up?
- (40:04) – At-home techniques: I-L-U massage, breathing, contrast therapy
- (43:57) – How to find an RMT specializing in abdominal massage
- (46:27) – Final thoughts: everyone can benefit from abdominal massage
- (48:03) – How to Connect With Benny
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👤 TODAY'S GUEST: Benedict San Juan RMT
Benedict (Benny) San Juan is a Registered Massage Therapist. Benny graduated from Sutherland-Chan School of Massage Therapy and has been practicing since 2016. He currently practices at Heal Space in Toronto. Benny offers a collaborative approach to therapy by listening to his patient’s needs and goals. He performs a thorough assessment which guides his treatment plan.
Benny uses a variety of massage techniques and educates his patients on self-care exercises so they can take better care of themselves.
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👩🏻💻 RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED: ⤵️
📌 What is Visceral Hypersensitivity & What Can You Do About It
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✉️ CONNECT WITH ME: ⤵️
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If you have questions for my listener Q & A episodes, you can submit them here, or send me an email at leigh@leighmerotto.com. See you soon!
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