Chi Nei Tsang: Ancient Abdominal Massage for Digestive Health & Emotional Balance

By Dr. Jacintha “Jaz” Roemer, DACM, LAc

Chi Nei Tsang for Gut Health & Emotional Balancing

🌿 What Is Chi Nei Tsang?

Chi Nei Tsang (pronounced “chee-nay-song”) is an ancient Taoist medical abdominal massage that works directly on the belly — where digestion, detoxification, and emotional processing happen.The name translates to “internal organs chi massage” — meaning it focuses on supporting the health, function, and energetic balance of your organs.

It’s more than just a massage. Chi Nei Tsang combines:

• Gentle but firm hands-on abdominal work

• Breathing guidance

• Visualization techniques

• Energetic balancing

This approach helps improve physical health and release stored emotions, leaving you lighter, calmer, and more connected to your body.

What Does It Treat?

Chi Nei Tsang can support a wide range of health concerns, especially those related to digestion, detoxification, and stress.It is often used for:

• Bloating, constipation, and sluggish digestion

• IBS and other chronic gut imbalances

• Liver congestion and detox support

• Postpartum abdominal healing

• Emotional stress stored in the belly

• Prostate and Urinary disorders

• Low energy and fatigue

• Fertility challenges

• Hormonal Imbalances

Many clients notice not only digestive relief, but also improvements in mood, sleep, and overall vitality.

Where Does It Come From?

This technique was brought into the modern wellness world by Master Mantak Chia of the Universal Healing Tao System in the 1980s. He learned from teachers who believed this knowledge should be shared widely — helping people take better care of their own bodies through Qigong, breathwork, and self-massage.

Today, Chi Nei Tsang is taught worldwide and practiced in clinics, spas, and wellness centers. My training began over 20 years ago, and it’s now one of the core healing modalities I use in my San Diego practice.

What Are the Benefits?

Chi Nei Tsang benefits both body and mind:

For Digestion:

• Stimulates peristalsis (the movement that pushes food through the intestines)

• Reduces bloating and gas

• Supports liver and pancreas function

• Helps balance gut bacteria

For Detoxification:

• Improves lymphatic flow

• Releases toxins stored in the abdominal organs

• Increases circulation to nourish tissues and organs

For Emotional Balance:

• Releases emotional blockages (fear, worry, anger) stored in the gut

• Activates the parasympathetic “rest & digest” state

• Promotes a sense of grounding and calm

For Energy & Vitality:

• Clears stagnant energy (chi)

• Increases overall vitality and mental clarity

What to Expect in a Session

1. Initial Check-In: We’ll discuss your digestive health, elimination patterns, sleep, stress, and diet.
   

2. Comfortable Setup: You’ll lie face-up on a massage table, draped with a sheet to reveal only your abdomen.
   

3. Hands-On Abdominal Work: Gentle, customized pressure and specific techniques help locate areas of tension or imbalance.
   

4. Breathing & Visualization: You’ll be guided through deep breathing and mental focus to enhance the work.
   

5. Aftercare & Tips: We may review self-massage or lifestyle suggestions to extend your results.

How You Might Feel After: Clients often describe feeling relaxed, grounded, and “lighter” in the belly. Digestive ease, emotional clarity, and improved energy are common.

Why the Belly Matters

Your belly is not just for digesting food — it processes emotions too.In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ is linked to specific emotions:

• Liver → Anger & frustration

• Lungs → Grief & sadness

• Kidneys → Fear

• Spleen/Stomach → Worry & overthinking

When organs are imbalanced, the related emotion often shows up. Chi Nei Tsang helps rebalance these systems, creating harmony between body and mind.

🎧 Check out this Youtube Meditation on balancing your emotions with Chi Nei Tsang's complimentary breathing and visualization with the Inner Smile & 6 Healing Sounds.

Dr. Jaz does Chi Nei Tsang on a male patient.

More Than Just a Massage

Chi Nei Tsang isn’t something that ends when you leave the table. I often teach clients:

• Breathing techniques to calm the nervous system

• Visualization to direct healing energy

• Gentle self-massage to use between sessions

These tools give you the power to support your own healing — anywhere, anytime.

📌 Ready to Heal Your Belly and Reset Your Digestion?

Experience the power of Chi Nei Tsang for yourself — and take control of your digestive health.

💆‍♀️ Book an in-person Chi Nei Tsang session at our San Diego clinic for hands-on relief and deep abdominal healing.

📚 Prefer to learn at home? Join my Buddha Belly Program, where I’ll teach you self-massage techniques to support your digestion daily.

📩 Not ready to commit? Download your free Beat the Bloat Guide or 3-Day Gut Reset and start feeling lighter, calmer, and more energized right away.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chi Nei Tsang

1. What is Chi Nei Tsang massage?

   Chi Nei Tsang is a Taoist abdominal massage that detoxifies the organs, improves digestion, and releases emotional tension stored in the belly.

2. Can Chi Nei Tsang help with bloating or constipation?

   Yes. This massage stimulates the intestines, encourages peristalsis, and releases trapped gas, helping reduce bloating and ease constipation.

3. Is Chi Nei Tsang safe after childbirth?

   With gentle technique, it’s safe after your doctor’s clearance — usually 6 weeks postpartum for vaginal birth, or 8–12 weeks after a C-section.

4. How many sessions will I need?

   Many clients notice improvement after one session, but chronic digestive or stress issues may benefit from weekly treatments for 4–6 weeks.

5. Can I combine Chi Nei Tsang with acupuncture or other therapies?

   Absolutely. We often combine Chi Nei Tsang with acupuncture and medical massage for faster, deeper results.