PMS ...
and natural pain relief!

PMS (or Premenstrual Syndrome) is a combination of physical and emotional symptoms that most women experience during the week prior to menstruation. Abdominal massage techniques can help ease those symptoms.

Massage for PMS

Some of these symptoms include headache, fluid retention, cramping, back pain, breast tenderness, weight gain, constipation, lack of sexual desire, and fatigue.

The symptoms occur because hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, rising 1-2 weeks before menstruation, and slowly declining just before starting, only to start rising again once the period starts.. 

Benefits of Massage for PMS

The symptoms occur because hormone levels rise and fall during a woman's menstrual cycle, rising 1-2 weeks before menstruation, and slowly declining just before starting, only to start rising again once the period starts.. 

Massage therapy can offer several benefits for reducing PMS cramps, including pain relief, muscle relaxation, and stress reduction. It helps by increasing blood flow, relaxing tense muscles, and promoting the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Additionally, massage can improve circulation and alleviate emotional distress associated with PMS. 

Specific Benefits:

• Pain Relief:Massage promotes the release of endorphins, which have pain-relieving effects. 
• Muscle Relaxation:Techniques like kneading, circular motions, and gentle stretching can relax tense muscles in the lower abdomen and back, reducing cramp severity. 
• Improved Circulation:Massage increases blood flow, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the muscles, which helps alleviate cramps and reduce inflammation. 
• Stress Reduction:Massage can induce relaxation and reduce stress, counteracting the "fight-or-flight" response that can exacerbate cramps. 
• Mood Enhancement:Massage can help alleviate emotional distress, irritability, and mood swings often associated with PMS. 
• Reduced Uterine Spasms:Massage may help relax the uterus and reduce uterine spasms, contributing to pain relief. 

How Massage Can Help:

• Focus on the abdominal area:.Opens in new tabMassage can be particularly effective when focused on the lower abdomen to relax pelvic muscles and alleviate cramping. 
• Deep tissue and Swedish massage:.Opens in new tabThese techniques are particularly effective for relaxing muscles and alleviating discomfort. 
• Acupressure:.Opens in new tabApplying pressure to specific points on the body can increase blood flow and release endorphins, offering pain relief. 
• Self-massage:.Opens in new tabGentle self-massage with massage oil or lotion can be used to relax abdominal muscles and relieve cramping. 
• Using heat:.Opens in new tabApplying heat to the lower abdomen, either through a heated pad, hot water bottle, or heat patch, can also help ease cramps. 

The psychological benefits of massage therapy during this time are as helpful as the physical benefits. Decreased depression, anxiety and mood swings as well as increased calmness are all reported by those who receive massage during this time in their cycle.

Read more about symptoms of PMS, and if massage could help women who suffer.

In a recent study at the Touch Institute in Miami, 24 women with PMS were randomly assigned to a massage or a relaxation therapy group. Half of the women had 30-minute massages two times per week for 5 weeks. The other half did relaxation exercises for 30 minutes two times per week for 5 weeks.

Period pain relief tips

The massage therapy group showed decreased anxiety, depression and pain symptoms immediately after the sessions.

Massage therapists should be prepared to treat those who suffer from PMS, as it is a pain syndrome you will encounter in your practice.

There were also longer term effects of the group who received massage which included a decreased pain, decreased water retention and an overall easier menstrual cycle.

Cost of Massage

The cost of abdominal massage for Premenstrual Syndrome can be slightly higher than relaxation massage, but usually not by much more.

Be sure to specifically ask the massage therapist if he or she has experience working with patients who are having Premenstrual pain. They may also have had specific training in Trigger Point Therapy to learn these techniques.

Self Massage

Self massage can be done by rubbing your stomach in a clockwise motion from the lower ribcage to about 2 inches below the belly button, and then back up toward the middle of the lower edge of the ribcage. Repeat 10 times.

Next, massage with both hands (fingers facing) down the length of your lower torso to the pelvic area, then massage outward toward hips and to the groin area. Repeat 5-8 times.

Lastly, move your hand to the center of your upper leg (at the groin area). In an upward motion, move hand toward the belly button, almost making a "C" shape. Do this with both hands, on both sides, and repeat motion 8-10 times.

Learning to release the trigger points associated to PMS, and other common pain syndromes, helps a massage therapist grow their business, within the medical community in their town, and among clients who share information of the massage experience (and relief of pain) with friends and family. 

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