Cramps Aren’t “Normal”; Bodywork for Painful Periods

Month after month, year after year, many women begrudgingly accept their agonizing periods. On television, we see different pills and products advertised, offering women fewer to no periods at all. This may sound like a dream come true for many who suffer during their monthly menstruation. However, menstruating is an important physiological function. It is not just a failed process or a flaw but affects the health and well being of the uterus, cervix and ovaries. Menstruation is an undervalued, effective and natural cleansing.

For women who often have to miss work due to painful periods or take pain medications just to function in day to day life; this no longer has to be your “normal”!

All too often women come to see me and describe horrible symptoms associated with their periods – but then dismiss them with “…but that’s just normal for me. It’s been like that my whole life.” They seem surprised to hear that something as simple as massage and bodywork can help change that aspect of their lives.

Cramps are a sign informing us that our reproductive system is out of balance. A period should not be painful. Pain often occurs when the uterus has a difficult time emptying. The uterus spasms and constricts in an attempt to pass menstrual fluids. Menstrual fluids can get backed up in a uterus that can not pass them. This can occur due to the position of the uterus (a uterus may have trouble with this function if it is tipped or folded over on itself) or even due to the amount of muscle relaxants that a woman might take to stop the cramping. Mayan Abdominal Massage can assist with alleviating pain by addressing the position of the uterus, breaking up pelvic adhesions, balancing the hips and pelvis and increasing blood flow to a hypo- or hypertonic uterus and pelvic floor.

It is very common to have a displaced uterus and not even know it. So common, that it is usually unnoted by medical doctors (except in extreme cases). There are numerous reasons why someone may have a uterus that is displaced. Usually we are able to trace it back to a fall, accident or jarring activity that a woman did some time in her life. Dr. Rosita Arvigo (the head of Mayan Abdominal Massage) considers a three year old girl having a significant fall a medical emergency. She believes that even at three years old, these accidents can lead to a lifetime of painful periods and reproductive issues.

Through a simple, relaxing, non-invasive treatment, we can correct mechanical issues and restore a woman’s body back to its innately healthy, balanced state; creating a new standard of “normal” for many women.

 Written by Danisha Jefferson-Christian, LMP of Acupuncture Northwest & Associates