3 Moves to Help Reduce Menstrual Cramps
by Courtney Virden for Kourtney Kardashian's Poosh
Do you suffer from menstrual cramps every month? If so, join the club. Menstrual cramps, a condition called dysmenorrhea, can be mild to severe, and women can experience cramps in the lower back, abdomen, and pelvis. While what is considered normal cramps depends on who you talk to, if your cramps are completely debilitating or if you have a significant shift in your pain, you should visit a doctor to ensure that you do not have an underlying condition. For most women, there are some exercises you can do to help reduce your cramps and sometimes even eliminate them. How great does that sound?
Aerobic exercise is great for improving circulation, decreasing bloat, and increasing endorphins, which can all help you feel better during your cycle. Pelvic-floor exercises are impactful too. They help your muscles and fascia by improving the length-tension relationship, which increases mobility, flexibility, and strength. Our uterus contracts and spasms to shed its lining during our period, and having a pelvic floor that’s able to relax instead of holding excess tension can help decrease pain. You can also train your pelvic floor to rest in a more relaxed state, which can help decrease cramps from muscle spasms. I used to get horrible cramps, but once I was consistent with my pelvic-floor program and these exercises, my cramps are now a thing of the past.
Learn and watch the tutorial for the three moves to help reduce painful cramps below.
The Moves:
Pelvic Tilts
Hip Circles
Bosu Jumps