The Menstruating Person
The Menstruating Person
Hormone balancing is a hot topic that many people want to address in their own way. There is a lot of differing opinions on what works and what does and how to best support a body going through hormonal shifts. One of the biggest challenges is the menstrual cycle. Some frequently reported “challenges” with menses are things like: heavy bleeds, scant/minimal bleeding or no bleeding at all, spotting before or after your cycle as well as intense pain/cramping during your bleeding time. For so many people, they are told that this is considered “normal” – but in reality, due to our lifestyle and hormones, these things are “common” but most certainly not the ideal.
Although not often discussed, there are several actions you can take to help regulate your cycle. Whether that’s a dietary shift to help with better bowel movements (therefore regulating your estrogen in your system,) or working on the placement of the uterus within the abdominal cavity (through using specific techniques to mobilize and encourage the proper alignment of the viscera [internal organs,]) in addition to tracking your cycle and phases, can all play a role in the working and recovery of the menstruating body.
For any menstruating person, it’s vital to view the system and the body as a whole unit. This isn’t an isolated occurrence. Our lifestyle until the lead-up to your cycle is the telling advantage we have at getting everything “back on track.” This is the ability of the body to recreate homeostasis where the end result is a smooth and improved menstrual cycle. This is something a pelvic physical therapist can provide, by looking at the entire body— from a physical, dietary, and energetic perspectives, an assessment can be made that will assist in helping to resolve and release some of the discomforts and dysregulations that can be caused by your menstrual cycle.
What Should You Expect from Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy?
Pelvic health is a team approach between you and your physical therapist. Expect to be given a detailed, home program that should be integrated into your daily life, as well as different activities to do at home to best continue progress and improvements in your overall symptoms.
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During an initial evaluation for pelvic floor therapy expect to spend some TIME. Together, you and your professional will go through a detailed history of your current needs. You will be asked detailed questions about your bladder, bowel, and sexual health, in conjunction with receiving a detailed education on your body and how/why your symptoms are manifesting. There is a full body musculoskeletal exam— where your hips, low back, and core are all assessed for any contributing dysfunctions. There is an internal pelvic assessment where the therapist will address any muscular dysfunctions within the pelvic bowl. They will also be able to assess the placement of internal organs and address any fascial restrictions or scarring which may be felt. (Please note: if an internal assessment is something that causes any issues, a Pelvic Health Specialist has the ability to address various ailments which can be done externally, as well!).
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During follow up treatments, the pelvic health specialist will work with you to tailor your session to your body’s needs. This will work with integrating manual therapies such as hands-on body work, internal releases of the pelvic bowl, joint mechanics with specific exercises, and energy work— to best enable your body to heal. Expect to spend time with your therapist, as the work to understand your body and its specific needs for healing is a process. This is a holistic approach using mind/body medicine to help with relaxation, restoration, and strengthening within the pelvis and beyond.
