Massage for Menopause Symptoms

Menopause symptoms can be daunting, massage for menopause can ease the unpleasant signs. It can give you time and space to relax, increase blood circulation and lymphatic flow in your body, reduce pain, and encourage a positive body image.

By simply being more attentive and introducing simple new life style habits such as changes in your diet, adequate exercise, getting a massage once a week, you can improve your health and wellbeing.

Understanding Menopause

The medical definition of menopause is that a woman has not had a menstrual period for 12 months. The time leading up to menopause is called perimenopause and most often starts when a woman is in her forties, although some women begin to experience changes as early as the mid-thirties.

These changes are the result of fluctuating hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone. By the time a woman reaches actual menopause, her body has almost completely stopped producing progesterone and greatly decreased the production of estrogen.

Some women breeze through perimenopause with few concerns, while other women experience a wide range of either minor or severe menopause symptoms, including:

  • Headaches
  • Hot flashes and night sweats
  • Irregular periods
  • Memory lapses
  • Mood swings
  • Muscle tension
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Vaginal dryness, which can cause painful intercourse.

The Association of Women for the Advancement of Research and Education lists 35 possible menopause symptoms. Many symptoms ease as a woman reaches menopause, although some symptoms may continue post-menopause.

How Massage for Menopause Helps

If approaching menopause causes you anxiety, irritability, and fatigue, one of the greatest benefits of massage is relaxation, a chance to let go of tension and concerns.

If you feel stress about your changing body, massage is also an opportunity to get back in touch with your body and cultivate a positive body image. Reducing the feeling of stress can also reduce the severity of some menopause symptoms.

Another benefit of massage is improved circulation and lymphatic flow, which can help relieve headaches, leg cramps, muscle and joint pain, and muscle tension. Lower back and abdomen massage can be particularly helpful for relaxing tension and simulating circulation around the reproductive organs.

What Type of Massage for Menopause?

You have your own unique experience of menopause. Choosing a type of massage means taking these needs into account. For example:

  • A Hot stone Massage or an Aromatherapy massage with calming essential oils such as lavender or clary sage which help promote hormone balance is great for relaxation and circulation.
  • Deep tissue massage may work best for you if you have a lot of tension or pain.
  • Lymphatic drainage massage can be a good choice if you feel bloated or have swollen joints.
  • Reflexology, Shiatsu or Acupressure help balance hormones.
  • Energy work, such a reiki or polarity therapy, may be the best choice if you are feeling particularly sensitive or vulnerable.

There are important resources available for women during this often challenging time, nurturing and the healing power of touch are two valuable components in a treatment regimen for today's woman menopausal symptoms.

"Massage therapists and bodyworkers, whose purpose is to touch, nurture and heal, are in a perfect position to fill this need."

The most important thing for you to remember is to choose a massage therapist who listens to you and adjusts the "massage for menopause" to fit your needs, which can easily change from one massage session to the next.

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