Women's Issues
MENSTRUATION PREGNANCY MENOPAUSE
Menstruation
If your periods are painful or heavy and clotted, that is when you need treatment to correct this unnatural condition. Girls need never suffer from this natural development in their lives. If fact resolving these painful monthly episodes prepares you for a pain-free pregnancy and birth and a symptom free menopause. That certainly has been my personal experience and I have worked over forty years of helping women, to make it their experience too.
To be put on the contraceptive pill because of menstruation problems is not to address the challenge immediately. It is to suppress the symptoms for years and make becoming pregnant that much harder later on.
What do I do in this instance?
Firstly, like all osteopaths and chiropractors, we check to see if there is any imbalance in the pelvis through injuries sustained when younger. These need not have been painful or traumatic events but they still can influence the movement of the pelvis and the organs that they protect. Correcting such imbalances is a mayor part of our work and also resolving any lumbar vertebral sprains. These sprains to the lower back have influence over the nerve supply and functioning of the ovaries and uterus. Women’s health starts here.
Next therapy is Acupuncture and to diagnose via the twelve pulses in the two wrists to see where any congestion of chi energy is occurring. Then to fix it by stimulating energy points in the back, ankles and hands by using small needles that certainly do not hurt you.
Acupuncture is not like hypodermic needles where fluid is inserted and they DO hurt. It may sting for the quickest second as it enters but is quickly settled down to do its work of rearranging energy flow to the sexual organs. The points that are most effective for painful periods is the meridian running down the inside legs and up the inner ankle. Massaging this area can be very effective in reducing pain on the day.
Correcting diet may be needed and certain herbs and various minerals and vitamins are recommended. Homoeopathy is certainly of great benefit in this instance too from Menstruation to Menopause. Knowing your constitutional remedy certainly helps too.
PREGNANCY
If you are having unprotected sex, you must be aware of the possibility of getting pregnant.
A baby conceived when you are overtired, eating poorly and under the influence of alcohol or smoking will have a compromised start to life through faulty nutrition. There is no question that excess alcohol can have adverse effects on a foetus such as miscarriage, low birth weight, cognitive defects and congenital abnormalities.
A baby is one of the miracles of life and being healthy and responsible is the most valuable gift you can give it and yourself. The point is you often don’t know you are pregnant for six weeks or so, so the damage can be already done if you not careful and aware of the possibility of conceiving. Maternal health is vital for the condition of your baby’s organs.
As always a balanced diet is vital and exercise keeps your systems functioning well through this nine months growing time. A normal natural birth is what everyone wants and it’s really possible.
Morning sickness
50-80% of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness, during the first trimester of their pregnancy (the first 12 weeks). “Morning sickness” is the common phrase used for vomiting and nausea, it can happen at any time during the day; not necessarily only in the morning. Keep in mind, on the average morning sickness subsides after the 12th -13th week, some women may suffer from morning sickness symptoms throughout their entire pregnancy. To ease your morning sickness, you might want to carry small snacks with you at all times, try eating small snacks throughout the day, and especially when you first wake-up. Do not let your stomach get empty; eating something every 2 hours is helpful. It may be caused by either hormonal changes or lower blood sugar during early pregnancy. Try to maintain an adequate fluid intake, keep rooms well ventilated to prevent accumulation of odours that may trigger your nausea or vomiting.
What can I do to help?
My daughter in law suffered badly in her pregnancy until she discovered the beneficial affects of alternate medicine. Her headaches and nausea were speedily brought under control when her spine was adjusted especially her neck vertebrae. The vagus nerve which supplies the stomach is helped immediately by adjusting her upper neck joints.
Acupuncture especially in the front of the ankles was efficiently used to control nausea. Bravo!
Homoeopathic drops absorbed under the tongue were a great aid to health when swallowing anything was not appreciated.
Mineral and vitamin tablets especially recommended for pregnant women were added as soon as swallowing food became easier for her.
BIRTH
Birthing can have its difficulties and when forceps delivery was necessary, cranial chiropractic was sought within two weeks of delivery given by a dedicated Chiropractic paediatrician. The baby loved these gentle manoeuvres and slept and feed beautifully from then on. Don’t wait to have these techniques done for your crying baby. You’ll be so glad you did. I have the photos to prove how the baby loved the treatment!
MENOPAUSE
From age forty seven to fifty three, women must expect their bodies to change. The only thing to really happen is for the menstrual flow to cease. However with the hormones slowing down, osteo-arthritis can be triggered and a diet lower in refined sugar is recommended. Weight change also occurs though it doesn’t in some lucky women, but extra vigilance here is necessary.
Mood swings can be devastating and unexplained if you haven’t been made aware of this possibility.
Again my three basic therapies come in to play. Osteopathic care is important like an annual dental check-up. Acupuncture can regulate the hormonal irregularities if needed and you’ll be surprised at how ear acupuncture can cease hot flushes in two or three treatments.
Homoeopathics really come into their own with menopausal discomfort or pain or excessive blood flow. You’d be silly to miss using these very effective therapies in natural healing.
