How Chi Nei Tsang Releases Stored Emotions in the Belly
- Dr. Jacintha "Jaz" Roemer
- Aug 8
- 3 min read
The Belly Holds More Than Digestion
Have you ever had a “gut feeling” or felt your stomach tighten with anxiety? In Traditional Chinese Medicine and somatic therapy, the belly is more than a digestive center — it’s an emotional storage unit. The abdominal organs are deeply connected to the nervous system, and unprocessed emotions often take root here, affecting both our physical and emotional well-being.
That’s where Chi Nei Tsang comes in.
What Is Chi Nei Tsang?
Chi Nei Tsang (氣內臟) is a Taoist abdominal massage therapy designed to detoxify and release physical and emotional blockages in the internal organs. It works directly on the navel and surrounding belly area — what Taoist practitioners call the “second brain.” This work isn’t just relaxing… it’s transformative.
You may already know that emotional stress can trigger digestive issues, tension, or fatigue. Chi Nei Tsang does the reverse: by releasing tension in the belly, it can help release the emotions trapped there, too.
How Emotions Get Stored in the Organs
In both somatic therapy and TCM, emotions correlate with specific organs:
Liver: Anger, frustration
Stomach/Spleen: Worry, overthinking
Kidneys: Fear
Heart: Joy, trauma from emotional shock
When we experience difficult emotions and don’t have time or space to process them, the body doesn’t forget. They may manifest as tension, pain, or chronic discomfort in the belly — or linger as anxiety, burnout, or depression.
Chi Nei Tsang gently helps release these stored emotions, encouraging both physical detox and emotional healing.
What a Chi Nei Tsang Session Feels Like
Each session is customized to meet you where you are. You lie comfortably while I use intentional touch, breathwork, and acupressure techniques to unwind knots, stagnation, and stuck energy in your abdomen.
You may feel warmth, tingling, or deep emotion arise — this is normal. Many clients report clarity, emotional lightness, improved digestion, and deeper connection to themselves afterward.
Who Can Benefit from Emotional Belly Work?
Chi Nei Tsang is especially supportive for:
People healing from trauma or emotional overwhelm
Anyone in somatic therapy looking to integrate bodywork
Those with gut-brain issues like IBS, bloating, or anxiety
Women navigating postpartum healing or hormonal shifts
Empaths, caretakers, and therapists who hold space for others
Emotional Healing Is Physical Healing
You don’t have to talk it out to let it go.
Chi Nei Tsang helps your body do the talking — and the releasing.
Whether you’re holding on to stress, trauma, or the weight of things unsaid, this sacred bellywork offers a path back to center.
Schedule Your Chi Nei Tsang Session in San Diego
If you’re ready to explore how your body is holding your story, let’s begin. Chi Nei Tsang is offered in-person at our San Diego clinic and may be integrated into a deeper healing program.
👉 Explore the Buddha Belly Program for a guided 6-week journey.
👉 Not sure where to start? Try the 3-Day Gut Reset
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Do I need to be in therapy to benefit from Chi Nei Tsang?
A: Not at all. This work stands alone or complements talk therapy, somatic experiencing, or trauma healing.
Q: What if I feel emotional during or after a session?
A: Emotions are welcome. We create a safe space for release and integration.
Q: Is Chi Nei Tsang painful?
A: Some areas may be tender, but pressure is always adjusted to your comfort level.
Q: How many sessions will I need?
A: Everyone is different. Some feel major shifts in 1-2 sessions; others benefit from a series of 4–6.
Q: Can this help with anxiety or overwhelm?
A: Yes. By calming the nervous system and supporting digestion, Chi Nei Tsang often reduces anxiety and helps people feel more grounded.
🌿 Ready to Go Deeper?
The Buddha Belly Program is a 6-week guided experience combining Chi Nei Tsang, breathwork, food therapy, and emotional clearing — designed to help you digest more than just food.
If your belly has been holding more than it should — stress, trauma, anxiety, or burnout — this program is your invitation to release, reconnect, and renew from the inside out.