The focus of abdominal massage is relaxation and most of the soothing movements involve circular stroking around the navel. Make soft, round movement using the palms of your hand and try to keep them as flat as possible. Return to this "home" move at any point during the massage. Movements that involve circling the navel are extremely comforting and can be repeated as often as you like during the massage, particularly if your partner is apprehensive. It is also a useful means of spreading oil so try it whenever you need extra oil.

Simply circling

To encourage the elimination of waste products, and thus relieve constipation, start by massaging your partner's left side, then work up the right side, and finish in the center of the abdomen just below the rib cage.

Turn to face across your partner's body, and put your left hand on the lower ribs. Start with your right hand below the navel. Flatten the palm, and stroke gently in a wide curve up toward your left hand, keeping the pressure smooth and light.

Continue stroking with your right hand in a circle around the navel, maintaining a clockwise direction when making circular moves over the colon (large intestine); this reflects the way the intestines work and encourages peristalsis.

The colon, or large intestine, is made up of three parts that roughly form the two sides and top of a square. The right-hand section is called the ascending colon, the top section is the transverse colon, and the left-hand section the descending colon.

Double circle stroking

This is a similar movement to the previous one, but this time you use both hands.

Place your hands on the abdomen and begin stroking around in a circle, one hand following the other.

Glide your left hand around to the far side of the waist, while your right hand strokes up the abdomen. Keep pressure gentle as you glide down the side, and firmer as you pull in at the waist and stroke up the abdomen.

Sweep your left hand up the side of the waist and your right hand across the abdomen. Your arms will cross as you stroke around in a circle.

Lift your left hand over your right arm and place it gently on the abdomen to start again. Keep the return movement smooth and rhythmic, so that it feels like one continuous circle. This soothing movement can relieve a stomach ache.