Chiropractic Massage and Care: A Holistic Approach to Menstrual Health
Menstruation is a natural process that is experienced by millions of people across the globe. While necessary for reproductive health, it can also bring pain, discomfort, and a range of other symptoms. The long list includes cramps, fatigue, mood swings, and so on.
Consequently, traditional treatments such as pain medications, heat compress, and so on, offer appropriate pain relief. Despite this, many are seeking holistic as well as natural methods to manage their menstrual symptoms. Here, chiropractic care which includes chiropractic massage, spinal manipulation, etc., has emerged as a complementary method to managing menstrual discomfort.
This write-up aims to extensively explain the relationship between menstruation and chiropractic treatment, shedding light on how such a holistic approach can effectively and efficiently soothe symptoms and enhance overall health and well-being afterward.
Philippine Statistics
With a population of approximately 120 million that is almost 50% female (57.7 million), it is safe to say that in the Philippines, menstrual pain and discomfort are issues that should not be taken for granted. However, it should be noted that more data and evidence on menstrual health are necessary to understand the realities of the said process.
To have a bit of understanding of how debilitating it can be, let us take a look at international data. For instance, menstrual symptoms may reduce the workplace productivity of a significant number of American women, with 45.2% saying that they encounter ones that require them to take days off. This is according to a health survey that was performed by researchers from the University of Virginia.
In line with this, in separate studies from UVA School of Medicine, Flo Health, University College London, Technische Universitaet Berlin, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, data showed that a number of women reported symptoms that had moderate to severe factors that affected their work.
The long list of affected areas includes energy levels (86.3%), mood (86.9%), concentration (77.2%), and interest in doing work (71.6%). Bear in mind that the said percentages are only of those that were included in the survey. In addition to all these, of the women in the survey, those who needed to take some time off missed an average of about 5.8 days of work.
What is the Role of Chiropractic Massage in Menstrual Health
Chiropractic care that involves chiropractic massage, spinal manipulation, and the like is founded on the concept that the body has the innate ability to heal itself. The said holistic approach somewhat activates the said capacity by optimizing the function of the musculoskeletal system as well as the nervous system. The latter acts as the body’s communication network and it plays a key role in managing different bodily functions, which include the menstrual cycle as well as hormonal balance, among others.
The question still stands: what makes chiropractic massage beneficial for women with menstruation? Read on for details.
Reduced Pain
A case study that was published in Pub Med showed that spine manipulation and chiropractic massage are effective when it comes to reducing menstrual pain and discomfort. The patient who suffered from the said symptoms monitored her monthly menstrual cramps with the use of diaries. She rated the pain levels during four months of baseline phase and three months of chiropractic treatment.
The treatment phase consisted of manual adjustments that were coupled with soft tissue therapy. During the chiro treatment period, the patient encountered reduced episodes of pain and lower pain ratings.
Improved Menstrual Flow
Regular chiropractic adjustments may aid in the maintenance of regular menstrual flow. This is possible due to the fact that they can fix one of the primary causes of unhealthy menstrual flow: unhealthy nerve function.
Bear in mind that nerves are responsible for communication between the brain as well as the rest of the body’s systems. Disruptions may lead to vasoconstriction or the narrowing of blood vessels. When this happens, it may lead to hampered menstrual flow. This is because blood as well as the nutrients that they bring may not properly reach the pelvic blood vessels, which may pave the way to the aforementioned symptoms.
The good news is that chiropractic massage and other similar forms of treatment can significantly improve nerve health by effectively, efficiently, and safely realigning the spine and other body parts to relieve pressure and, in the process, reduce inflammation. These can enhance nerve function, which may pave the way to improved menstrual flow.
Simply put, without nerve disruptions, the whole nervous system can function properly, which can pave the way to improved menstrual health and, therefore, improved overall well-being.
Reduced Occurrence of Amenorrhea
Amenorrhea, or lack of menstrual cycle, is a condition that is encountered by most females (one in four women) at some point in their lives. But it is quite common among athletes, especially those who are involved in gymnastics, ballet, and running.
This is according to a study that was published in Science Direct. If left untreated, the said ailment may lead to abnormal eating behaviors and osteoporosis. While generally not a cause of concern, certain cases may lead to hormonal imbalances and even infertility.
Chiropractors can help address amenorrhea by fixing spinal misalignments. The said holistic practitioners may utilize the drop table technique to address the said condition. In the mentioned technique, the lumbar or lower back as well as the pelvis is adjusted in a gentler way rather than the usual chiropractic alignments that require a significant amount of force.
Summing up
Menstruation is a natural human process; however, it should be noted that it does not have to be a painful as well as unpleasant one. This is where chiropractic massage comes into play. It offers a non-invasive as well as non-pharmaceutical approach to addressing the uncomfortable symptoms of menstruation and, therefore, promoting overall well-being.
Simply put, by incorporating the said holistic approach to menstrual health, affected individuals–in this case women–can experience utmost relief from symptoms, and experience a menstrual cycle that is more comfortable, balanced, and everything in between.
If you are experiencing pain, discomfort, and so on, during menstruation, then you should seriously consider visiting us at Posture Perfect Chiropractic.
Book an appointment now! Our chiropractic doctors and other personnel will guide you through the whole process and come up with a treatment program that is going to complement your health needs and more.
