Can osteopathy relieve period pain?

13 Mar Can osteopathy relieve period pain?

It is common for many women to experience pain both before and during their menstrual cycles, but excessive intense pain is not considered to be normal. The excessive pain is often server enough to interfere with your daily activities. But do not fear, you do not have to suffer in silence, osteopathic techniques can be used to treat symptoms of period pain.

Period pain is caused pelvic congestion, which is the constriction of blood supply to the muscles of the uterus. Resulting in tightness of the muscles in surrounding areas such as the lower back and abdomen.

In the medical field dysmenorrhoea is the term used to describe severe period pain, and can be classified into two categories, primary dysmenorrhoea and secondary dysmenorrhoea. Primary dysmenorrhoea is period pain without any underlying pathologies, whilst secondary dysmenorrhoea is period pain which is caused by an underlying condition such as endometriosis or fibroids.

The symptoms of period pain vary from women to women but generally include the following:

• abdominal cramping,
• lower back pain,
• leg pain,
• headaches,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• bloating,
• irritability,
• constipation or diarrhoea.

Osteopaths may effectively treat these structural imbalances to improve the functioning of the body to remove the congestion, and improve the blood supply and drainage in and out of the pelvis. The aim treatment is to relieve your pain, release any areas of tension throughout the body and to optimise the function of the of the pelvis, the pelvic floor and lower back.

Studies have found that osteopathy show significant improvements in both the intensity and duration of period pain, thus you no longer just have to “put up” with the pain anymore. You can seek relief from alternative forms of therapy, in addition to pain medication.

Osteopaths  are trained to explore and understand the root cause of pain. During a consultation an osteopath will conduct a physical exam and take down a detailed case history, to establish cause of the pain and get a better understanding of your overall health. To improve your overall wellbeing and restore your body to its natural health state, the osteopath will then create a treatment and management plan that is specifically suited to your symptoms, lifestyle, and underlying health conditions.

Osteopaths use manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue release, stretching, joint articulation and  joint manipulation. They understand that everyone’s pain experience is different , and will focus on how your bones, joints, muscles, nerves, circulation, connective tissue and internal organs function as a whole unit. Along with their hands-on treatment,  the osteopath may prescribe at-home exercise or stretch programs to encourage progression outside of a  treatment session. Osteopathy is a safe alternative form of treatment that can be used alongside advice from your GP.

At OsteoVision, our practitioners are highly skilled in treating a wide range of women’s health symptoms and musculoskeletal conditions. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your symptoms, book an appointment, or require more information about period pain symptoms or the management of pain in general.

Call: 03303 904 300 
Email: info@osteovision.life
You can also book an appointment online at www.osteovision.life