Myofascial Release for Uterine Fibroid Pain
Uterine fibroids are tumors made of muscle tissue that grow in the uterus. The word “tumor” sounds scary, but almost all fibroids are not cancerous. The majority of women actually live with fibroids, but because they can be asymptomatic, the condition often goes undiagnosed. Women who do suffer from the painful symptoms of fibroids usually have menstrual pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods, lower back pain, frequent urination and abdominal enlargement. Many women believe that if they have been diagnosed with fibroids, they must undergo a hysterectomy, but there are many treatments to try before jumping to major surgery.
In addition to daily exercise, a fibroid reduction diet, acupuncture, and getting some sun to increase your Vitamin , myofascial release can provide some relief for women living with pain and abnormal bleeding from fibroids.
So What is Myofascial Release for Fibroids?
The fascia is a thin layer of tissue that covers your muscle. Healthy fascia can stretch and move as you do because it is relaxed and doesn’t pinch or pull. However, if you are living with fibroids and painful periods, the inflammation caused by fibroids can cause the fascia to be tough and tense. The tension in the fascia can caused increased worsening of your fibroid symptoms, creating a viscous cycle of fibroid pain. Tightened fascia can even restrict your ability to move and negatively impact your body’s ability to handle stress.
Myofascial release focuses specifically on this tightened and sensitive fascia. A practitioner will use his or her hands as well as a variety of tools to manipulate and stretch the fascia. Myofascial release for fibroids does not change or reduce the size of the fibroid, but by relieving some of the tension in the abdominal fascia, pain, pressure and swelling may be reduced. If you are interested in trying myofascial release, you may want to speak with a women’s health physical therapist or find a massage therapist who specializes in myofascial technique.
If you’ve tried all the alternative methods you can find, and nothing has relieved the pain from your fibroids, it is probably time to pursue other treatments. Treatment for fibroids may include pain management, hormone therapy, myomectomy or hysterectomy. If your doctor has told you that you need a hysterectomy for your fibroids, please don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. One of our patient coordinators will be happy to help you through the process and find out if surgery is, in fact, the right option for your personal situation.
Content Sponsored by: MIRI Women – The Minimally Invasive Reproductive Surgery Institute (MIRI) brings together highly skilled, board-certified specialists who are focused on women’s health. Our team of professionals is trained in advanced gynecology, specifically hysterectomy surgery. Philosophically, our partner physicians take a “less is more” approach to health care, by first treating patients with the most conservative therapies. MIRI focuses on physical healing, while emphasizing that a patient’s emotional well-being is just as important.
