Sick of the Menopause?
You reach a certain age then you start feeling symptoms like hot flushes, night sweats, insomnia, anxiety you know Menopause is on its way. It’s a rite of passage, life transition, a sign of another stage in our lives, something every woman will experience in life. Yes it is normal but it doesn’t have to be so bloody annoying or stressful.
Menopause symptoms can appear years before ovulation stops, which could mean years of insomnia and more stress. Some women swear by hormone replacement but I can’t help but think what about potential long term side effects?
So what is the best way to treat it?
Massage Therapy is the answer! It’s really easy to think massage is an indulgence yes it feels great but it’s a very important therapeutic value, especially for women who are facing perimenopause and menopausal symptoms. It stimulates the circulation, activates the lymphatic system, reduces fluid retention and swelling throughout the body and releases tension in the muscles and joints, improves flexibility and reduces pain, calms the nervous systems; helps reduce stress, alleviate anxiety and promote better quality sleep.
Research has found that regular monthly or bi-weekly can help you experience better quality of sleep waking up feeling really refreshed and present and improves feelings of anxiety and depression. It also eases lower back pain and neck pain. There is also evidence that massages can also lower blood pressure and lower heart rate.
Types of Massage that can help Perimenopause/Menopause
Reflexology
Reflexology concentrates on the reflex points where I can concentrate on the pituitary, thyroid and adrenal glands
Aromatherapy
Some essential oils can help rebalance hormones and relieve symptoms such as mood swings and hot flushes.
Clary Sage – reduces blood pressure, relieves depression and anxiety, slows osteoporosis
Fennel – Reduces depression and anxiety
Juniper – Anti-inflammatory
Peppermint Oil – Reduces cramping and good for controlling hot flushes
Lavender – Helps rebalance your hormones and promotes feelings of relaxation and improves sleep
Geranium – Helps with menopausal changes, immediate stress reliever
Basil – Improves the mood good for hot flushes too
Citrus – Decreases blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, helps ease aches and pains
Swedish Body Massage
Focuses on increasing circulation and promotes relaxation using effleurage long strokes, percussion, friction, tapping, Petrissage kneading, hacking helps reduce stress which reduces symptoms of menopause.
I’m not just talking to you lovely ladies either, I’m talking to you men too as men go through the change and it’s called Andropause but saying that, not every man will experience this hence it not been well known but the symptoms are very real. Symptoms can include
Irritability
Weight gain
Low sex drive and function
Problems sleeping
Depression
Fatigue
Loss of Strength
It also may include hot flushes yes that’s right men can experience hot flushes too!
Low testosterone
Erectile dysfunction
Inability to achieve an erection
Decreased sex drive and infertility
Reduced muscle mass and
Decreased bone density
Diet also plays a bit part in how you feel so be aware of what you eat and make the necessary changes to your diet for optimum health and well-being.
