Naturopathic Solutions For Menstrual Pain

There are many uncomfortable side effects often associated with menstruation, and one of the most concerning is severe menstrual pain.

What’s especially frustrating about menstrual pain is how, for many of us, it’s seemingly unavoidable — it returns every cycle with your period, and can be difficult to treat.

Thankfully, there are sustainable naturopathic solutions for pms that may ease your monthly pain and muscle tension.

From vitamins to classical osteopathy, today we’re going to discuss some natural ways you can relieve your menstrual pain.

In this episode of Vitamin Junkeys, we dive into what menstrual pain is, how you can ease the discomfort of menstrual pain, and we have a demonstration of classical osteopathic techniques used to help with severe menstrual cramping and pain.

I’m dedicated to making a healthier world, so keep reading to learn more about natural ways to cope with and relieve menstrual pain.

Or if you prefer video, just click the video below where I discuss naturopathic solutions for menstrual pain.

What Are The Symptoms Of Menstrual Pain?

Menstrual pain is felt in the pelvic area around the time of menstruation, both before and during.

Many individuals who menstruate may experience discomfort, lower back pain, or slight cramping either before or during the first few days of their period.

However, many experience debilitating menstrual pain that may cause you to seek relief through medication and bed rest.

It can be extremely frustrating to have to pause your daily life to sit or lie down because of severe abdominal cramps, made even more frustrating because of its monthly recurrence.

Severe menstrual pain may interfere with your everyday routine and affect your quality of life.

But what actually causes menstrual pain, and how what natural steps can you take to reduce it?

What Causes Menstrual Pain?

Severe cramps and menstrual pain are caused by overall inflammation and the abundant release of prostaglandins, which are hormone-like substances that constrict blood vessels in your uterus and cause muscle contractions.

Additionally, there are relatively common conditions known to worsen menstrual pain, including fibroids and endometriosis.

If you have given birth, you may find certain changes in your menstruation cycle, including an increase of pain.

This may be caused by a change in position of your uterus, or by scarring as a result of the birthing process.

Your posture may affect whether or not you experience menstrual pain by causing your abdominal contents to stick and become congested against your small intestine.

Naturopathic Solutions For Menstrual Pain

The key to easing pain and inflammation associated with menstruation is finding solutions that are sustainable, effective, and easy to incorporate into your routine.

Let’s look into some naturopathic solutions that check all of those boxes.

1. B Vitamin Complex

High-potency B vitamin supplements are beneficial in easing menstrual pain, breast tenderness and swelling, and PMS.

These benefits are mostly due to vitamin B6, but other B vitamins as a whole are effective in relieving menstrual cramps and related symptoms.

Ask your naturopathic doctor if a vitamin B complex supplement is right for you.

2. Acupuncture

Frequent acupuncture treatments have been shown to relieve menstrual pain, whether as a result of a condition such as endometriosis or without a specific cause.

Acupuncture is a minimally invasive practice involving extremely thin needles being placed along specific points of your body, meant to stimulate blood flow and healing.

It has proven effective for a wide variety of medical conditions and symptoms, including menstrual cramps and pain.

Talk to your naturopathic doctor about a TCM, or traditional Chinese medicine, diagnosis to determine if acupuncture may be a viable option for your menstrual pain.

How Does Osteopathic Manual Treatment Work?

Classical osteopathy is a type of natural medicine that uses manual manipulation of your muscle tissue and bones to relieve pain, encourage healing, and reduce inflammation.

The techniques used in osteopathy are very gentle and designed to ease tension.

For menstrual pain, the areas your classical osteopathy practitioner will target include your abdomen, pelvis, ovaries, and particularly your small intestine (or mesentery, which is the term for the structures supporting the intestines).

Your classical osteopathy practitioner may also use what’s called visceral manipulation to test mobility, which in turn may relieve tension and pain.

Relieving Tension On A Tilted Uterus

Some people are born with a tilted uterus, a condition that usually does not cause any complications or pain.

In fact, many who have a tilted uterus may not even know it.

Your uterus position may be causing tension by affecting the muscles and ligaments surrounding your pelvic area. Classical osteopathy techniques are a great way to relieve said tension.

If you think you may have a tilted uterus, your gynecologist can perform an internal examination.

Alternatively, your classical osteopathy practitioner can use external manual manipulation to determine the position of your uterus.

How Does An Osteopathic Manual Practitioner Assess Issues?

When you visit a classical osteopathy practitioner to relieve the tension and pain associated with menstruation, the first step will be an assessment of your body.

The mesentery and the small intestines are often the first places your osteopath will assess for congestion and tension.

Your classical osteopathy practitioner will place their hands on your stomach to gently feel if your tissues have normal motion and rate of rotation, or if they are being pulled to one side.

Typically in people who are experiencing menstrual pain, the mesentery is pulled downwards and to the left – which causes pain and muscle cramping.

Your classical osteopathy practitioner will cup their hand at the bottom of your pelvis and release your small intestine in every direction, using a very gentle and specific technique to relieve tension.

They will also evaluate your uterus, if it is free or tilted, and assess your pelvic bone for any tightness.

Often, broad ligament tension accompanies and worsens menstrual pain, but it can be relieved with manual manipulation by your classical osteopathy practitioner.

Questions? Ask Dr. JJ!

For many of us, menstruation is unavoidable – but there are natural ways for you to ease the pain and discomfort often associated with menstruation.

If you have any questions about naturopathic medicine and how it can benefit your well being, contact me, Dr. JJ.

I’d love to talk to you about your health concerns and help you and your body get on the path to wellness.

If you want to know more about the treatment options discussed in this article, or anything else related to natural medicine, reach out to me, Dr. JJ.

Let’s book an appointment today.