Why I love to hear your stomach growl:

On an average day in the clinic, at least one client will suddenly tense up, shift around on the table, and apologize for a rumbling tummy.

And honestly? It doesn’t bother me at all.

In fact, a little snore, a deep sigh of relief, or a grumbling stomach are some of my favourite sounds to hear during a session. They happen almost every day, and to me they’re actually a really good sign.

You’re probably wondering why.

Our bodies operate with two main nervous system responses: fight or flight and rest and digest. These are controlled by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.

Most of us spend the majority of our day in fight-or-flight mode. Work stress, busy schedules, constant notifications, rushing from one thing to the next—our bodies are often running in this heightened state. While that response is incredibly important for survival, it’s not where our bodies are meant to stay for hours at a time.

When you come in for a massage to help manage stress, one of my main goals is to help your body shift into the rest-and-digest state. This parasympathetic state is where so many important healing processes begin to happen.

And one of the first signs that your body is relaxing into that state?

A rumbling tummy.

When your nervous system settles down, your digestion starts to wake back up—which is what causes those little stomach growls during a treatment.

Regular massages, meditation, deep breathing, and other relaxing activities can all help activate the parasympathetic nervous system and give your body the reset it needs.

So when I hear a tummy rumble during a massage, I know something good is happening. It’s a sign that your body is relaxing, letting go, and shifting into a place where it can truly restore itself.

Next time you’re on the table and your stomach growls, you start to snore, or you drift off to sleep, please don’t feel embarrassed.

It’s completely normal—and if anything, it tells me I’m doing my job well.