Massaging the Ileocecal Valve When You Have SIBO

Discovering the Root cause of your SIBO and IBS is usually tricky. But in today’s article and video, I want to share with you the technique called the ileocecal valve massage or release technique. This simple but very effective technique can benefit everyone who has IBS or SIBO and best of all anyone can do it.

What Is the ICV?

The ileocecal valve (ICV) is a small sphincter muscle that connects the small intestine to the large intestine (colon), and when functioning properly, it opens and closes to release waste into the colon after the small intestine has finished its job of absorbing nutrients. We have talked about many aspects of SIBO- The causes, reasons for relapse, best probiotics to take, biofilms, benefits of prokinetics, different kinds of SIBO testing, but all of these these things require that you work with a doctor trained in functional medicine.

That’s why in today’s I wanted to share information with you that you can do right now as you are watching this video.

Today we are talking about “lleocecal valve massage” or the “IC Release Technique” how you do it, how long you should do it for, scenarios that indicate that you most likely have a problem with your IC valve.

I’ll explain the technique first, and then later in the video I’ll get into why it malfunctions, some of the symptoms of a malfunctioning Ileocecal valve- all the other aspects of the ileocecal valve.

So let’s jump into this, the IC valve is a muscular sphincter and is found where the small intestine connects to the large intestines and it is located above the appendix in the lower right quadrant. If you look at this image when we say the right side- its you the patients right side. Because of its location, above the appendix many times when people have pain in the lower right quadrant, a search on the internet pulls up the appendix- and this is one of the differential diagnosis along with ovary you and your doctor will need to determine.

On the human body, the ileocecal valve is very easy to locate- you will want to find a flat surface and while you are laying down (knees bent) with your left index finger or middle finger find your belly button.

With your right hand, find the front part of your pelvis. It’s the bony projection that sticks out as if you were putting your hands on your waist.

Now that you know the location of the ileocecal valve, the technique I’m going to share with you has been found to be very effective for the relief of a wide range of gastrointestinal symptoms- things like nausea, constipation, diarrhea bloating, belching and other symptoms of IBS.

The next thing you want to do is use gentle but firm pressure palpating for any areas of tenderness or hard nodules. These tender nodules can be the size of large marble and you will feel this under your fingertips.

Massage The IC valve in a Clockwise, Circular motion

Once you locate these areas of tenderness you will simply want to massage these areas in an upward, clockwise, circular motion. This tension must be massaged out in order for this valve to function properly. It’s not uncommon that while you are self-massaging these areas that you begin to notice some abdominal noise and gurgling, you may notice that you have gas or flatulence and you may also notice that within 15-30 minutes you have to use the bathroom.

Many of you are probably wondering how often you should repeat this procedure- this is really going to vary from person to person but I would recommend that you do this a minimum of 2x per day (morning and night best done between meals) and each time you do it I would spend 3-4 minutes doing it. It doesn’t take long.

You may need to do several times before you notice any changes to the soreness and tenderness dissipates. Everybody is different here. Use your best judgment in terms of frequency and amount of time you spend.

Over time the area you are working should become more mobile and less tender.

Our Personal SIBO Recovery Program is a great place to start

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