Osteopathy and Period Pain
(Dysmenorrhoea - What causes Period pain?)
Experiencing pain just prior to or during your period is often considered normal, unavoidable and ‘just one of those things’. Osteopaths take a different view, and may be able to help.
Dysmenorrhoea can be described as severe period pelvic pain that interferes with normal daily activities. It causes stress and pain as well as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhoea and headaches.
Primary dysmenorrhoea refers to painful periods in the absence of underlying pathology, while secondary dysmenorrhoea is pain associated with pelvic pathology such as endometriosis.
A study of 1000 girls aged 16 to 18 years in Canberra found that 21% of the girls had severe pain with periods and 26% had missed school because of menstrual pain and it is estimated that 50% of all women experience pain during their period.
Osteopaths have long worked with women to restore health to the body and ease these symptoms. German Osteopaths recently undertook a study (1) to investigate the effectiveness of Osteopathic treatments in patients with pain due to primary dysmenorrhoea. The intervention group received Osteopathic treatment twice per cycle for three cycles (total 6 treatments). The control group received no intervention.
The subjects who received Osteopathic treatment had a reduction in severity of pain from 4.6/10 down to 1.9/10.
They also had a reduction in the total number of days of pain from 4.5 days to only 2.2 per cycle. There was also a significant improvement in Health Related Quality of Life (SF-36). The control group showed no significant changes over this time.
This study matches my experience working with women who report pain during their cycle. Clinically I find that women who experience period pain show a combination of:
1 Schwerla F, Wirthwein P, Rütz M, Resch KL. Osteopathic treatment in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Osteopath Med.2014;17:222-231. doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2014.04.003.
(Dysmenorrhoea - What causes Period pain?)
Experiencing pain just prior to or during your period is often considered normal, unavoidable and ‘just one of those things’. Osteopaths take a different view, and may be able to help.
Dysmenorrhoea can be described as severe period pelvic pain that interferes with normal daily activities. It causes stress and pain as well as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhoea and headaches.
Primary dysmenorrhoea refers to painful periods in the absence of underlying pathology, while secondary dysmenorrhoea is pain associated with pelvic pathology such as endometriosis.
A study of 1000 girls aged 16 to 18 years in Canberra found that 21% of the girls had severe pain with periods and 26% had missed school because of menstrual pain and it is estimated that 50% of all women experience pain during their period.
Osteopaths have long worked with women to restore health to the body and ease these symptoms. German Osteopaths recently undertook a study (1) to investigate the effectiveness of Osteopathic treatments in patients with pain due to primary dysmenorrhoea. The intervention group received Osteopathic treatment twice per cycle for three cycles (total 6 treatments). The control group received no intervention.
The subjects who received Osteopathic treatment had a reduction in severity of pain from 4.6/10 down to 1.9/10.
They also had a reduction in the total number of days of pain from 4.5 days to only 2.2 per cycle. There was also a significant improvement in Health Related Quality of Life (SF-36). The control group showed no significant changes over this time.
This study matches my experience working with women who report pain during their cycle. Clinically I find that women who experience period pain show a combination of:
- restriction through the joints of the pelvis and lower back, and pelvic floor
- asymetrical tension in the pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, bladder etc) and their associated ligaments,
- Congestion and altered blood flow in and out of the pelvis
- Altered breathing patterns
- Hypersensitivity of the sacral and lumbar nerves
1 Schwerla F, Wirthwein P, Rütz M, Resch KL. Osteopathic treatment in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Osteopath Med.2014;17:222-231. doi:10.1016/j.ijosm.2014.04.003.
At Supporting Presence, treatment is a three step process.
Step One
This is aimed at easing your current symptoms and pain relief. This involves releasing and balancing tensions in the uterus, as well as muscles of the low back and pelvis.
Step Two
This involves finding the 'Root-Cause'.
Your uterus became irritated for a reason. It is important to find that reason to get a more complete release, enhance recovery and decrease the likelihood of a recurrence.
Often there is underlying tension held in the body which predisposes the to problems with reproductive health.
This can result from;
- hormonal imbalance and diet.
- surgery to the abdomen or pelvis
- falls on the tail bone
- physical or psychological injury and trauma.
For people with period pain, these tensions are commonly found in the pelvis, abdomen, lumbar spine and sacrum, but can be anywhere in the body. Your Osteopath will help you identify this underlying tension and release it.
Step Three
Having identified the predisposing factors (root-causes) of your period pain, your Osteopath will help you find the aspects of your life that may be contributing to this, and help modify these aspects to better serve you. Examples include advice on physical movement, posture, diet and stress reduction.
Different people move through these steps at different rates. Most individuals will gain some symptom relief from their initial session, while full recovery depends on a range of factors including;
- The nature and severity of the pain
- Duration of symptoms and root-cause
-Your general health and individual predisposing factors
- Your willingness to take an active role in your recovery and health
To find out more call 0403 889 551 to make a booking.
Step One
This is aimed at easing your current symptoms and pain relief. This involves releasing and balancing tensions in the uterus, as well as muscles of the low back and pelvis.
Step Two
This involves finding the 'Root-Cause'.
Your uterus became irritated for a reason. It is important to find that reason to get a more complete release, enhance recovery and decrease the likelihood of a recurrence.
Often there is underlying tension held in the body which predisposes the to problems with reproductive health.
This can result from;
- hormonal imbalance and diet.
- surgery to the abdomen or pelvis
- falls on the tail bone
- physical or psychological injury and trauma.
For people with period pain, these tensions are commonly found in the pelvis, abdomen, lumbar spine and sacrum, but can be anywhere in the body. Your Osteopath will help you identify this underlying tension and release it.
Step Three
Having identified the predisposing factors (root-causes) of your period pain, your Osteopath will help you find the aspects of your life that may be contributing to this, and help modify these aspects to better serve you. Examples include advice on physical movement, posture, diet and stress reduction.
Different people move through these steps at different rates. Most individuals will gain some symptom relief from their initial session, while full recovery depends on a range of factors including;
- The nature and severity of the pain
- Duration of symptoms and root-cause
-Your general health and individual predisposing factors
- Your willingness to take an active role in your recovery and health
To find out more call 0403 889 551 to make a booking.