Do you suffer from cramps, bloating, lower back pain, and irritability in the days leading up to your period? PMS can make it tough to enjoy life. Though popping pain relievers and sitting around with a heating pad around your midsection may help a little, these treatments don't keep the symptoms from coming back next month. There is a better way to manage your PMS symptoms: visiting your chiropractor.

How can chiropractic care help with PMS?

Even if you don't have overt back pain or neck pain, there's a good chance one or more of your vertebrae have become misaligned due to the grind of daily life. Poor posture when sitting at a desk, sleeping on a mattress with a lack of support, and looking down at your phone frequently can all put strain on the spine and lead to misalignments. By correcting these misalignments, your chiropractor can alleviate several contributors to PMS:

Pressure on nerves related to the reproductive system.

Various nerves that regulate your reproductive function run through the spine. If a spinal misalignment puts pressure on one of them, this may be impeding your uterus's ability to contract normally or build up a healthy layer of lining. Pressure on other nerves may interfere with the production of healthy levels of hormones like estrogen and progesterone, leading to more painful periods, mood swings, and an array of other PMS symptoms.

Pressure placed on your uterus by your pelvis.

If your pelvis is not aligned correctly in the spot where it meets your spine, it could be placing direct pressure on your uterus. This could cause the lining to be shed more violently, and it can also lead to more severe cramping.

Lack of quality, restful sleep.

When your spine is out of alignment, you may have trouble drifting off to sleep due to stiffness or a lack of production of the hormones that trigger your body to sleep. Poor sleep often makes pain more pronounced and may contribute to the irritability and mood-related symptoms of your PMS.

What will the treatment entail?

Your chiropractor will assess your needs and tailor your treatment to them. The primary portion of your treatment will likely be a spinal adjustment in which your chiropractor uses his or her hands to gently manipulate any misaligned vertebrae back into place. This should not hurt, though you may hear a popping noise. Your chiropractor may also recommend some simple lifestyle modifications, such as eliminating certain foods from your diet or performing specific stretching exercises.

For more information, contact local professionals like Dr. Jason B Kaster DC.

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