Dysmenorrhea or Painful Periods
Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea
- Intense menstrual cramps in the lower abdomen or pelvis
- Pain that radiates to the lower back or thighs
- Nausea, vomiting, or dizziness during your menstrual period
- Fatigue or weakness around the time of your menstrual cycle
- Severe pain and heaviness that interferes with daily activities
Get relief today.
What Causes Dysmenorrhea?
- Primary dysmenorrhea: Caused by natural contractions of the uterus during the menstrual cycle, which can restrict blood flow and lead to cramping pain.
- Secondary dysmenorrhea: Linked to underlying conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or fibroids that contribute to painful menstrual periods.
Other factors that may worsen dysmenorrhea include chronic pelvic pain, hormonal imbalances, or lifestyle stressors.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
- Pelvic Floor Therapy: Exercises and techniques to relieve pelvic pain, improve blood flow, and reduce tension in the muscles supporting the uterus
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques to release adhesions and tension to reduce discomfort caused by conditions, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, or fibroids
- Postural Alignment: Improving posture can alleviate pressure on the pelvic region and minimize painful menstrual cramps
- Education and Lifestyle Changes: Guidance on movement, relaxation techniques, and self-care strategies to manage symptoms and support your menstrual cycles
- Pain Management Techniques: Helping you reduce reliance on medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by addressing the root causes of your pain
What to Expect During Your Sessions
During Your Initial Appointment
During Your Additional Appointments
Client Testimonials
Beyond Basics: We Can Help
At Beyond Basics, we are committed to treating pelvic floor issues with sensitivity to each individual’s needs, regardless of sex, race, identity, age, or orientation – we treat the whole person with a comprehensive, caring biopsychosocial approach.
Since 2003, Beyond Basics has been a place of hope and healing for our patients. We believe skilled and compassionate healing can restore your body’s harmony and balance. Founder, Amy Stein, and co-founder, Corey Hazama are renowned experts and leaders in pelvic floor PT.
The skilled physical therapists at Beyond Basics receive extensive training to qualify them to be the world’s leaders in pelvic floor rehabilitation. All of our therapists have been carefully selected to work at Beyond Basics because they possess the right expertise, kindness, and empathy to allow them to excel at our practice. Our therapists have completed hundreds of additional hours outside of their doctorates both internally and externally through institutes such as Herman and Wallace and the American Physical Therapy Association, to help hone their practice and provide exceptional treatment efficiently and compassionately. In addition to being the world’s first and foremost experts in pelvic floor dysfunction, our individual therapists have cultivated additional skills unique to their own personal interests. Read more about each one of our therapists here.
