Did you know that over 75% of women suffer from PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms at some point in their life? For many women, these symptoms can be debilitating. They can result in missed work or school and interrupt normal daily activities. Fortunately, neuromuscular therapy can help! With focused bodywork, we can help alleviate troubling symptoms – both physical and mental.
What Is PMS?
This common condition consists of a set of symptoms that are timed 1-2 weeks before a woman gets her period. They can range from mild to severe and generally include:
- Headaches
- Bloating
- Bowel disruptions
- Cramping
- Backache
- Tender breasts
- Irritability
- Feelings of sadness
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
While the exact cause of PMS is still unknown, it’s thought to be a result of the changing hormones in the second half (luteal phase) of a woman’s menstrual cycle. The severity of symptoms can change month to month or over time with age.
How Can Neuromuscular Therapy Help?
Bodywork like NMT can be very helpful in relieving physical symptoms like cramping, backaches, and even fluid retention. There are some medications that may work (however, they aren’t always effective at relieving multiple symptoms), but many women prefer a less pharmacological approach to these cyclical issues. We are able to target tension in the body and release those areas, which is especially helpful for localized pain like cramping. It also increases bloodflow which supports healthy, oxygenated blood moving throughout the body. This can help stabilize energy levels and ease digestive issues like constipation (yes, this is common!). Using lymphatic drainage techniques, we can actually reduce uncomfortable bloating.
PMS is multifaceted, and it often takes a toll on mental health and mood stability for that period of time. Fortunately, NMT has been shown to relieve some of the mental aspects of PMS like anxiety and depressive symptoms.
Join Our Membership Today
Considering the frequency of PMS symptoms – every 3-4 weeks roughly – it might feel like scheduling monthly massage visits would drain your bank account. But that’s exactly why we created our membership program. The goal is to make NMT accessible and affordable, so you can make it a regular part of your self-care. With a monthly membership, it’s easy to schedule an appointment when you’re experiencing PMS symptoms. Depending on your level of membership, you could even have several appointments during that time to help you feel more like yourself. To learn more about our membership options, check out our detailed post HERE. Plus, you can always schedule an appointment with us to come in and discuss your concerns.