Menstrual pain doesn’t have to rule your life! Many women suffer unnecessarily each month, being told that “pain is normal; here, take these pills!” Simple uterine misalignments often put physical pressure on the cervix and uterus. When under mechanical stress, the cervix is ​​less able to support menstrual flow; the uterus now has to contract more forcefully to expel blood and tissue through the cervix. This is a menstrual cramp.

If the uterus itself is being “stretched” due to stretching of the ligaments that hold its place in the pelvis, its natural contractions will become painful. The wall of the uterus is muscular and active to keep itself ready for the next reproductive cycle, the whole reason for the monthly period. If the muscle cannot contract easily, it just has to push harder, as its function during menstruation is non-negotiable for the body.

Visceral manipulation is a gentle and gentle technique to help women resolve anatomical malpositioning and dysfunction of their otherwise “normal” pelvis. When good physical positioning is restored, the reason for much of the pain and cramping is similarly resolved. Ideally, each woman should only feel her period just before the flow starts; completing a pain-free period a few days later. A period should almost come as a surprise under ideal circumstances.

In the author’s clinical observations, the most common misalignments of the uterus/cervix are a retroverted uterus (the cervix and uterus have fallen backwards toward the rectum), followed by a lateral deviation where the uterus and/or the cervix are forced to one side or to the side. the other, twisting the cervix/vagina junction. A less common misalignment is an antegrade deviation (where the uterus and cervix move forward, toward the front of the underlying bladder).

In each case, the strong ligaments that hold the uterus and cervix in anatomical alignment have some level of dysfunction, causing mechanical pressure on the cervix. This restricts the cervix’s ability to allow menstrual flow to pass through easily. When this happens, the uterus still has to expel unused placental tissue and therefore contracts much more forcefully. These strong contractions are the all too familiar mechanism of menstrual cramps.

Visceral manipulation, developed extensively by JP Barrall, is a treatment modality in which the physician uses gentle, direct pressure on various structures and ligaments in an effort to rebalance anatomic relationships within the pelvis (and the body, for that matter). supposed). Experience varies from practitioner to practitioner with two main groups of techniques, ‘short lever’ and ‘long lever’.

The short lever technique is where most practitioners start. This is where pressure is placed directly on each trouble spot, using the movement of the practitioner’s fingers and the client’s body to facilitate direct manipulation of each ligament in turn. This is the most ‘teachable’ method and is incredibly effective in its own right.

The author uses long lever techniques which result in quite a different clinical experience. The client is fully clothed and moves through a series of push-ups and stretches while very gentle pressure is placed on problem structures. The goal of long lever techniques is to influence the body to find, recognize and resolve its own restrictions using its own mechanisms.

The change does not come from the practitioner, but from the client’s own being. The results ‘originated’ in the client’s own body are effective and immediate. Releases or changes are never forced upon the body; that’s trauma and bullying. All effective bodywork is about helping the [woman’s] body find its own healthy balance.

While not all period cramps can be so easily resolved, I see excellent results in three to five visits in many cases. The first two or three visits are usually fifteen days apart and then monthly (for obvious reasons) from there. Cesarean deliveries, accidents, falls, injuries from lifting objects, and poor postural habits can all contribute to period pain. In most cases, causes of this nature can be resolved with gentle and painless visceral manipulation.

Painful intercourse, spasms and post-orgasmic pain, as well as anorgasmia (inability to reach orgasm) can also be caused by the same reasons as organ and ligament imbalances. These will be detailed in future articles, but for now, most cases in this group will also respond well to visceral manipulation.

Visceral manipulation practitioners can be obtained through the Barrall Institute [This is an independent teaching organisation which has a practitioner sourcing facility]. For those on Australia’s Gold Coast, Craig’s Clinic, Ashmore Health Center [link below], has limited seats to see women seeking help for their painful periods. The author’s specific interests lie in functional sexual and reproductive issues after physical and psychophysical trauma, but anyone seeking answers to their pain is welcome.