Painful menstrual cramps are one of the common symptoms of endometriosis and those who have the condition often have to find their own ways of coping. While prescription-strength painkillers are always an option, it’s nice to know that there are other natural methods of reducing the severe period pains that come with endometriosis. One method that deserves more attention is massage therapy.
How Massage Therapy Affects Period Cramps
According to a study conducted in 2015 and information from several health experts, regular massages can help decrease your period pain. During the study, people who were dealing with endometriosis were assessed over a set period.
Over time, they received a specific massage therapy routine that lasted for 20 minutes each, emphasizing pressure points in the stomach and an area in the pelvis known as the sacrum. The participants were then examined after they had received a certain number of treatments.
The examination typically showed slight to significant differences in the abnormal tissue from endometriosis. Furthermore, the participants reported having less pain during their periods. Interestingly, researchers also found that massage therapy also increased the participants’ fertility.
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Three Types Of Massages You Should Try
1. Compression Massage
This type of massage focuses on compressing the muscles in the glutes and sacrum. Generally, the masseuse will apply pressure to each area for 15-30 seconds at a time and the overall massage can last for as long as is needed.
The end result is relieving pain in the lower back and pelvis. While it’s a good idea to get this done by an experienced therapist, you can occasionally use a compression massage device on yourself for quick relief.
2. Abdominal Massage
In this kind of massage, the focus is on the abdominal muscles. The aim here is to relieve the pain and cramps in the areas that are being directly affected.
As such, an abdominal massage is most effective in the days leading up to or during your period. Since many people aren’t comfortable going for a massage while menstruating, there are online tutorials available for doing them yourself.
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3. Foot Massage
It might seem unlikely that rubbing your feet can have any impact on your cramps, but it’s based on the concept of
