Digestive Health Bloating & Gas Moves to Relieve Gas By Amber J. Tresca facebook twitter linkedin Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Amber J. Tresca Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD on February 06, 2020 linkedin Priyanka Chugh, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist in practice with Trinity Health of New England in Waterbury, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Priyanka Chugh, MD Updated on April 27, 2020 Print Passing gas is as normal and unavoidable as breathing. In fact, according to an oft-cited study from 1991, the average adult passes gas an average of 8 times a day. However, even though everyone does it, passing gas can be a source of embarrassment, sometimes even discomfort. Though a variety of over-the-counter medications can be used to reduce gas, many of them aren't suitable for long-term use. Luckily just a little physical activity can help move gas and ease any discomfort you may be experiencing. Get On Your Feet Hero Images / Getty Images Taking a walk can sometimes be all it takes to relieve gas and bloating in the short-term. According to a study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, mild physical activity can help move intestinal gas and eliminate uncomfortable abdominal bloating. At least 30 minutes of exercise three or four days a week should be plenty to keep the bloating and burps at bay. Lie on Your Side Jessica Peterson / Getty Images This simple move may be especially effective in releasing gas trapped in the lower intestine. On a bed, sofa, or the floor, lie on your side. Gently draw both knees toward your chest. If you don't get relief after several minutes, try slowly moving your legs down and up a few times. If you're limber enough to do this comfortably or without causing more pain, try using your hands to pull your knees closer to your chest. Squat heshphoto / Getty Images Squats are good for more than building strong thighs and gluteal (butt) muscles: Lowering yourself into this position can help relieve gas. Start with your feet hip-width apart and facing forward. Put your hands on your hips or hold on to the back of a sturdy chair, then slowly bend your knees until your rear end is close to the floor. Place your hands on the tops of your thighs (or continue to hold onto the chair) and stay in this position until you feel the gas start to move. This position may cause the need to have a bowel movement so make sure you can easily get to a bathroom if necessary. When to See a Doctor Ryan McVay / Getty Images Intestinal gas is rarely a sign of a medical problem. Again, it's a normal by-product of digestion. But according to the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians (ACOFP), there are a handful of conditions that are associated with an increase in gas. These conditions include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), lactose intolerance, and celiac disease. For this reason, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) advises seeing a doctor about gas if it's accompanied by other symptoms, such as weight loss, fever, or bleeding. Otherwise, measures such as changing your diet to exclude foods known to cause gas, such as milk, beans, and cruciferous vegetables, kicking the smoking habit, giving up chewing gum and drinking through straws (both of which introduce air into the body), and getting more exercise, should help to keep the amount of gas you experience each day to a minimum. Can Passing Too Much Gas Be a Sign of a Health Problem? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Gas pain? Stool issues? Sign up for the best tips to take care of your stomach. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. J Tomlin, C Lowis, NW Read. Investigation of normal flatus production in healthy volunteers. Gut. 1991;32:665-669 Johannesson E, Ringström G, Abrahamsson H, Sadik R. Intervention to increase physical activity in irritable bowel syndrome shows long-term positive effects. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(2):600-8. doi:10.3748/wjg.v21.i2.600 Katz LC, Just R, Castell DO. Body position affects recumbent postprandial reflux. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1994;18(4):280-283. doi:10.1097/00004836-199406000-00004 Gennaro C, Larsen H. Symptomatic approach to gas, belching and bloating with OMT treatment options. Osteopathic Family Physician. 2019;11(2):20-25. Additional Reading Gennaro C, Larsen H. Symptomatic Approach to Gas, Belching and Bloating with OMT Treatment Options. Osteopathic Family Physician. 2019;11(2). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Symptoms & causes of gas in the digestive tract. Updated July 2016. Tomlin J, Lowis C, Read NW. Investigation of normal flatus production in healthy volunteers. Gut. 1991;32(6):665-669. doi:10.1136/gut.32.6.665 Villoria A, Serra J, Azpiroz F, Malagelada J-R. Physical activity and intestinal gas clearance in patients with bloating. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006;101(11):2552-2557. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00873.x Wilkinson JM, Cozine EW, Loftus CG. Gas, Bloating, and Belching: Approach to Evaluation and Management. 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