Period Pain Relief: Can Chiropractic Care Help? | Life Balance Chiropractic
Quick answer: Yes, it can! Here’s how chiropractic care might help your period cramps, back pain, and other monthly symptoms explained.
Let’s Talk About Period Pain (Because It’s Rubbish)
If you’re reading this, you probably know the drill: cramps that make you want to curl up in a ball, lower back pain, maybe some hip pain thrown in for good measure, headaches, nausea… the full package of monthly misery.
Here’s some quick facts that might surprise you:
- 90% of menstruating people in the UK experience period pain
- 20% have severe symptoms affecting daily life
- Chiropractic period pain relief focuses on nervous system optimization
- Can a chiropractor help with period cramps? Research says yes, let’s explore how.
So if you’re struggling, you’re definitely not alone – and no, it’s not “just part of being a woman” that you need to put up with.
Hi, I’m Olivia. I’m a chiropractor in Bournemouth, and I work with people who have horrible periods. I also personally deal with suspected endometriosis, so trust me – I get it. The pain, the frustration, the feeling like your body is working against you every single month.
Wait, Isn’t Chiropractic Just Back Cracking?
I know what you’re thinking “What’s a chiropractor going to do about my period? Crack my back and hope for the best?”
Fair question! Here’s the thing: while we do help with back pain (and yes, there’s cracking involved), what we actually do is work with your nervous system.
The Nerves-to-Your-Uterus Connection (Stay With Me, It’s Simple!)
All the nerves that go to your uterus and ovaries? They come out of your spine in your lower back and tailbone area.
Think of it like this: if there’s tension, misalignment, or pressure in that part of your spine, those nerves can’t do their job properly. It’s like trying to have a phone conversation with bad signal – the message gets garbled.
When those nerves aren’t working optimally, the communication between your brain and your reproductive organs gets messed up. This can mean:
- Worse cramping (because the messages controlling uterine contractions aren’t clear)
- More inflammation
- Increased pain signals
- Generally everything feels more intense than it needs to
By sorting out the spine stuff, we can help those nerves work better, which might mean your period symptoms calm down.
Does This Actually Work? What’s the Evidence?
Look, I’m not going to promise miracles. But research show’s that chiropractic care can reduce period pain for a lot of people:
- Studies have found people getting chiropractic adjustments reported less painful periods
- Many needed fewer painkillers
- The treatments seem to help with lower back pain during periods especially
Important bit: If you have really severe pain, very heavy bleeding, pain during sex, or pain between periods – please see your GP first. You might have endometriosis, fibroids, or PCOS, and you need to get that checked out properly. Chiropractic can help alongside medical treatment, but it’s not a replacement for getting diagnosed.
What Period Symptoms Might Get Better?
Based on what I see in practice, chiropractic often helps with:
- Lower back pain during your period (this is SUPER common)
- Pelvic and hip pain
- Period headaches and migraines
- General cramping intensity
- That overall “everything hurts” feeling
4 Things You Can Do Right Now to Help Your Period Pain
Whether or not you try chiropractic, these genuinely help (and they’re all things I do myself):
1. Go Easy on the Coffee During Your Period
I know, when you feel rubbish, you want caffeine. But coffee can actually make cramps worse because it:
- Raises your stress hormones
- Tightens your blood vessels
- Makes your muscles more tense
Try instead: Herbal tea (ginger and peppermint are brilliant for cramps), or matcha if you need a bit of a lift. Even just cutting back to one coffee instead of three can make a difference.
2. Move, But Don’t Go Mad
Exercise genuinely helps period pain – but the wrong type can make it worse.
During your period (especially days 1-3):
- Good: Gentle walks, yoga, swimming, light weights
- Not so good: HIIT classes, heavy lifting, long runs
Why? Intense exercise spikes your stress hormones when your body is already stressed. It’s too much.
Once you’re past the heavy days, you can get back to your normal workouts. Listen to your body – if it’s telling you to take it easy, take it easy.
3. Eat Properly (It Matters More Than You Think)
Your hormones and blood sugar are connected. When your blood sugar is all over the place, your hormones follow suit.
Simple changes that help:
- Start the day with protein and something savoury – eggs, Greek yogurt with nuts, avocado on toast. Even just eating a tomato before your usual breakfast helps.
- Skip the sugary breakfast – cereal, pastries, and fruit juice on their own will spike your blood sugar and make you feel worse later
- Wait to have coffee until after you’ve eaten – coffee on an empty stomach messes with your blood sugar
- Eat loads of vegetables – fibre helps your body get rid of excess hormones
- Include healthy fats – salmon, nuts, seeds, avocado help reduce inflammation
4. Actually Drink Enough Water
Yeah yeah, everyone says this. But it genuinely helps with:
- Bloating (counterintuitive, but it works)
- Reducing cramp intensity
- Energy levels
- Keeping things moving digestively (constipation makes period pain worse)
Pro tip: Just drinking loads of water isn’t always enough – you need electrolytes so your body actually absorbs it. Add a pinch of salt to your water, or make yourself a honey and lemon tea with a tiny bit of salt in it. Sounds weird, tastes fine, actually works.
Should You Try Chiropractic for Your Period Pain?
It might be worth a go if:
- Your lower back kills during your period
- You’ve tried painkillers and they’re not quite cutting it
- You’d prefer to manage things without constantly taking medication
- Your doctor says everything’s “normal” but you’re still in pain
- You’re generally interested in trying different approaches
What to expect: Usually we’d do an initial assessment to see what’s going on with your spine, then start with regular adjustments (often weekly at first). Some people notice a difference quickly, others take a few months. Everyone’s different.
If you’re curious whether it might help your specific situation, I do free phone consultations where we can just chat about what you’re dealing with and whether chiropractic makes sense for you. No pressure, just information. Call 01202 684859 if you want to chat.
Quick Questions People Ask Me
Is it safe to get adjusted during my period? Yep, totally safe. Some people actually find it helps with the pain right then and there.
How long until I’d see results? Honestly? Varies. Some people notice a difference in their next period, others take 3-4 months. Bodies are weird and individual.
I’ve got endometriosis – will this cure it? No, and anyone who tells you it will is lying. But it might help manage the pain and improve how your nervous system is functioning overall. Keep seeing your gynecologist alongside any chiropractic care.
Will it hurt? Most people find it pretty comfortable. There might be some clicking sounds (that’s just gas releasing from your joints – totally normal) and you might feel a bit achy afterwards like you’ve had a workout, but it shouldn’t properly hurt.
The Bottom Line
Here’s what I want you to take away from this:
Severe period pain isn’t normal. Some discomfort, sure. But if you’re regularly calling in sick, canceling plans, or just generally suffering every month – that’s your body telling you something’s not right.
Chiropractic looks at whether your spine and nervous system might be contributing to the problem. It’s not about cracking your back and hoping for magic – it’s about making sure the nerves that control your reproductive organs can actually do their job properly.
Combined with eating well, moving in the right way, managing stress, and working with your doctor when needed, it can genuinely help a lot of people.
As my old professor used to say: “You can’t fix an inside problem with an outside solution.”
Popping painkillers every month treats the symptom. Finding out why you’re in so much pain in the first place? That’s treating the problem.
The Legal Bit: This is just information, not medical advice. If you’ve got severe period pain or think something might be wrong, see your GP. Get properly checked out.
About Me:
I’m Dr Olivia, a chiropractor based in Bournemouth who specializes in helping people with hormonal issues and period problems. Been there, doing that, happy to help.
Want to chat about whether chiropractic might help you? Call 01202 684859 for a free phone consultation.
Contact
53 Lagland Street, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1QD