Can Chiropractic Put a Crimp in those Cramps?
A lot of women experience them ~ those painful once-a-month cramps that leave them doubled over in pain and calling in sick to work. In fact, it is estimated that more than 100 million employee work hours are lost each year in the US due to menstrual cramps (primary dysmenorrhea); that translates to a loss of more that one billion dollars annually to employers.
Many chiropractors believe that women who experience painful menstrual cramps are likely to suffer from spinal problems, such as back pain, as well. They suggest a causal relationship between subluxations (nerve interferences) in the spine and lower back, and specific gynecological problems such as cramps. This would certainly explain why many women who see their chiropractor for treatment of their lower back pain report a subsequent lessening in the severity of their menstrual cramps.
Although standard over-the-counter drug treatments (analgesics) are effective in relieving the symptoms associated with menstrual cramps, side effects, such as stomach ulcers and abdominal pain, pose potential health hazards that are far worse than the pain of menstrual cramps.
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