subject: Can Chiropractic Help My Menstrual Cramps? [print this page] Q: I get such bad menstrual cramps and I don't want to keep taking ibuprofen every month. Can chiropractic help me?
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A: A lot of women experience painful once-a-month cramps, whichcan often leave them doubled over in pain and calling in sick to work.It is estimated that more than 100 million employee work hours are lost each year inthe USdue to menstrual cramps. This translates to a loss of more than one billion dollars annually to employers.ramps
Many women who experience painful menstrual cramps are also likely to suffer from spinal problems, andback pain. This suggests a causal relationship between subluxations (nerve interferences) in the low back, and specific gynecological problems such as cramps. This would certainly explain why many women who see their chiropractor forlower back pain relief, also report alessening in the severity of their menstrual cramps. Remember menstrual cramps are a symptom thatsomething else isamiss.
Although standard over-the-counter drug treatments (analgesics) are effective in relieving the symptoms associated with menstrual cramps, you are right to be concerned about theside effects of NSAIDS like ibuprofen. Stomachulcers, abdominal pain and kidney failure all pose health hazards far worse than the pain of once-a-month menstrual cramps.
The good news is that in addition to relieving your menstrual cramps, chiropractic carecan also relieve other symptoms, and more serioushealth conditions, that you might not have evenassociated with a "back problem".For example, urinary tract problems, irregular periods, menopausal problems, miscarriage, difficult births, as well aship, leg and knee pain are all associated with the kind of low back ("lumbar" region of the spine. See chart below) problems that chiropractors have been treatingsuccessfully and naturally for decades,without drugs or surgery.
