I never knew that stretching could help ease menstrual cramps and I am quite excited to try this new method to help ease my painful monthly cramps;
"Menstrual cramping, or dysmenorrhea, is a painful condition in which the uterus contracts rhythmically in order to expel blood and other menstrual tissue. Caused by the release of prostaglandins, a hormone produced by the body that leads to muscle spasms, cramping generally begins 1-2 days before the start of the menstrual period and continues for 2-4 days. Research suggests that about 50% of women suffer from this type of pain, and up to 90% of adolescent girls experience cramping.
Stretching to Relieve Menstrual Cramps
Method
1. Stand with feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bend at the waist and touch the left hand to the left foot, while holding the right arm straight up in the air. Repeat with opposite hand and foot, doing several repetitions.
2. Sit on the floor and press the soles of your feet together in front of you, making a diamond pattern with your legs. Try to keep the sides of your knees near the floor. Lean forward as you breathe out, then return to the starting position as you breathe in. Repeat several times.
3. Sit on your heels on the floor with your legs folded and your knees straight in front of you. Bend slowly forward until your chest touches your knees and your forehead touches the floor while stretching your arms out straight behind you. Hold the pose for a few minutes and breathe normally."
Ashley, we are on the same cycle, I feel so bloated and fatigued right now, feel like I am about to give birth. Also, PMS hit me hard yesterday and I felt pretty emotional. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me and then the light bulb went off....ah hah, it's pms. I also hear that exercise is very good for cramps. So I am going to head out for a walk in a little while just to get a leg up. How are you doing and feeling? Anything that helps you with cramps and fatigue?
i buy some heat pads at wal mart that go in the front of your panties and as soon as you take it out of the package it activates it so it warms up. it lies against your abdomen. i love it. i think it is one of my favorite things during this time. its therma something i cant remember. i love heat for cramps and over the counter pain meds. sometimes the cramps are so bad i dont wanna exercise. the stretching sounds good though. im sorry but i laughed when you said you felt pregnant. i hate bloating i feel like im gonna explode and none of my clothes feel like they fit.lol. sometimes i take a nap cuz the pain is so severe to. sorry im not alot of help.
Ashley, I am so glad that my comment made you laugh, it was totally made in jest. Yesterday was my emotional day, today's my fatigue and major bloat day. I do the exact same things as you with the heat pad on lower abdomen and I take an over-the-counter med, which is a lifesaver for me. And, I am right there with you on exercise, I would love to push and do it, but my body screams "that's not going to happen". Well, I am here for you if you need to scream and vent about the cramps. I am just waiting and anticipating this happening at any moment.
oh boy the pissyness is coming out already. my sisters friend was talkin bout her lookng latina and we are a quarter cherokee.well my sister really looks indian and i wish i did more so. i hate when people say that cuz its just a soft spt for me. lord help me i made a comment bound to piss her friend off. i said only stupid people think she is latina and smart people know the difference. im not racist k i have all different nationality family members some black some latino some indian some white etc. i jusy wish people wouldnt say stupid stuff. i know it may sound silly but im protective of my heritage. its almost non exsistant on knowing the ways of our people. any ways heres to pms
Ashley, I am so glad that you came here and shared this with me, as sometimes it's better to get all of your frustration out here rather than at the person. I am so sorry that you were insulted by this comment and I can understand why, though I am sure she didn't mean anything bad by it. She knows what your heritage is and understands it, right? So, was she just making that comment in general?
Oh, I hear you loud and clear re; PMS. Mine is running rampant. Was in bed reading, crying, reading, crying. Tossed and turned all night. Nothing yet, but it's coming and should be here today. It can't come quickly enough. I am avoiding talking to certain people because I feel that I can get emotional and say something that I don't mean. Why are we so hormonal?
i dont know why hormones have to be so bad. im sure she didnt mean nothing by it. my sister removed the whole conversation which is good cuz i just say what i feel at the time and regret it later. i hate feeling the way i do as far as feeling so alone on the heritage thing. there just isnt that many native americans where i live and i feel extinct or on the verge of extinction lol. i know it sounds crazy its lonesome not having anyone to share your heritage with.there was a lady and her husband who had a store here and she made indian things and her and her husband had to move where she would make better money because he was sick. i wish that they coulda stayed i could talk to her and buy native american things from her, there is no where that sells stuff like that here. i will have to google and see what i can find.thanks for your support sometimes i takes a few day s for me to start as well i have some light bledding on and off. seems like it is going to take forever. blah. how are you today?
Ashley, I think that it's such a beautiful thing that you really embrace and love your heritage as much as you do. I am part Russian and part Turkish. The Russian heritage is very much a part of my life, though I never was able to know the Turkish side and would like to. So, I can totally understand how you are feeling. Are you still able to keep in touch with this woman, who had the store? I think that you will be able to find great online stores. As well, are there any other Native Americans in your area who you can meet with to discuss your heritage? How about any online resources for Native Americans, like a forum?
I am feeling a-okay today, really just trying to power through the fatigue and slight cramping, though it hasn't arrived yet. Feel like I'm 10 months pregnant at this point, just waiting to give birth, my oh my. Although, the emotions are no longer bad, I am feeling a ton better on that front now, so that's a good thing. Think I am going to get to the gym in a couple of hours and get a good work-out in, maybe that'll push the "baby" out ;-)
thats awesome that your part russian! i love russian people i love their accent and the way they value family. i dont know anything about turkish though? ya i can still talk to my friend thankfully. im just trying to learn how to do the crafts on my own. plus it is taking her some time to get her online store going. once she gets it up and going im sure i will be able to do more. im feeling ok today. still waiting for aunt flow lol.
Ashley, I think that it's so fantastic that you are learning how to make Native American crafts and learning Cherokee. Wow! That's so impressive. You are really a great motivation and inspiration for me to start learning more about my Turkish heritage which I've always been so curious about. And, I am so happy that you are able to keep in contact with the former store owner, hopefully she'll have her site up soon, though maybe you'll have you're own store soon with your fabulous crafts, how neat would that be!
How are you doing today Ashley? Are you there yet?
Boy oh boy, the "baby" came and the symptoms are in full force; my legs [especially] and body overall feels so achy and fatigued, cramps are quite aggressive (kept me tossing and turning most of the night). Dragged myself out of bed, took my over-the-counter "miracle" meds, slapped on a heating pad, and drinking tea. I am counting down the minutes until the meds kick in.
For me, this painful portion, where I can't walk upright, usually lasts 1/2 a day and then I am back to my old self again...well, I'm walking upright and not feeling as much pain.
i gotta go to the dentist in a few minutes. my mouth is hurting so bad, i wanna scream. Aunt flow came on top of it all. grrrrrr. i wanna cry they havent given me anymore pain meds yet gotta see if i have an infection in my mouth. wish me luck. i hope they help me get out of pain i wanna scream been a week since i got my tooth pulled.
Ashley, I am so so sorry that you're in so much pain. I just responded to your post and am so happy that you got the pain mess. Silver lining is that now you can nip 2 painful things in the bud in one fell swoop; your mouth and cramps. How are you doing and feeling now. I hope a ton better. Sending you tons of healthy healing energy.