Can Physiotherapy Help Menstrual Cramps?
Do you know that many women suffer from menstrual cramps for 1 to 2 days each month? In fact, physiotherapy provides different kinds of solutions that help minimize the pain-related symptoms that women experience each month. In this article, I will share with you all how physiotherapy helps menstrual cramps.
How Physio Help My Menstrual Cramps?
Muscle cramping typically occurs just before or during menstruation and is felt in the lower back, abdomen, and hips. Physiotherapy can help relieve the cramps through the treatments below.
1. Heat Pack
Heat pack are beneficial for pain relief because it increases circulation and helps to relax cramped or tight muscles. When used to relieve period cramps, heating pads have the same effect on uterine muscles, helping them to relax more.
2. Modalities
Modality like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units can help reduce pain with periods. it is usually applied on the abdomen, hip, pelvis and low back.
3. Manual therapy
If you are having pelvic pain with your periods, manual therapy like connective tissue release and massage done by physiotherapists can help in relieving the pain and also relaxing the tension around the pelvic area.
4. Exercise
Some exercises like cat cow and child pose can help with period cramps. Pilates and breathing exercises are beneficial to menstrual cramps too.
We hope this has been useful for you. Find out more useful tips and exercises by checking out our Instagram page. Feel free to contact us should you have further questions.
KOH PEH CHIA
REHAB PILATES THERAPIST
Through her clinical experience, she then gained valuable experience in treating professional dancers and gymnastics athletes. Her interest in pre and post-natal physiotherapy was piqued as she finds women having difficulties maintaining an active lifestyle pre and post-childbirth. She then pursued a STOTT Rehab Pilates Instructor certification to help with this group and women. She also highlights her belief that prevention is a better way to handle injuries.