Magnets for Menstrual Cramps

I recently read a couple of books on magnet therapy and discovered something quite amazing.

I have heard the "hype" about using magnets for pain, but never really considered using it for myself or suggesting it to my clients. But, after reading many articles on the use of magnets for pain, I decided to try it myself.

By applying magnets to the painful part, I decreased my menstrual pain by about 70%! Over the last 3 months I have been experimenting with magnets for backache, menstrual cramps and headaches. And, to my surprise and amazement, the magnets took away most of the pain.

Magnets not only decrease pain, but they also bring nourishment and oxygenation to the area. If you have an injury or wound, the use of the magnet on the area will decrease the time it takes you to heal. Magnets will also decrease bruising and swelling.

I'm totally sold on the use of magnets for pain. Of course, if the pain is chronic, I still suggest seeing a Homeopathic practitioner to find your constitutional remedy. Your homeopathic remedy will heal you holistically - reducing the pain without the need for pain killers or other drugs. This is true for menstrual cramps, joint pain, headaches, backache, neuralgic pain, and more.

You can purchase a good set of bio magnets, that are specifically engineered for use on your body. There are so many companies out there who sell such products. When you receive your magnets, you can experiment for which side works for you. There is research that indicates the positive and negative sides are useful for pain. For myself, the negative side of the magnet is more useful for menstrual pain and headaches, although I did find that alternating the sides was effective as well.

Good healing to you on your journey to pain free menstruation!

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Svea Lynn is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here. 

Homeopathy For Menstrual Cramps & Pain

Over the years I have tried EVERYTHING for severe menstrual pain - both conventional and naturopathic.  I can't even begin to count how many times I 'googled' the terms "natural cure for menstrual cramps." And, I can't even begin to count the numerous times where I felt disappointed and discouraged that nothing was working.

After many years of frustration and despair (and many days/nights of laying on the couch curled up in a ball), I finally found something that really works for me. Homeopathy is an incredible medicine that helps so many people with stubborn conditions, including dysmenorrhea (AKA menstrual cramps).

As a Homeopath, I know by experience that the BEST remedy for you to take for menstrual cramps is your constitutional remedy. The only way of finding your constitutional remedy is to see a classical homeopath who takes your case and prescribes you one remedy (which is what I do with my clients- contact me if you are interested in an appointment to relieve your menstrual cramps). This constitutional remedy will help you on all levels: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. It will give you lasting effects.

But, until you decide to see a homeopath, here are a few acute remedies to try out. Make sure you match your menstrual experience with the remedies. If the symptoms do not match yours, then the remedy will probably not work for you.

Magnesia Phos. (Mag. Phos.)
Indicated for cramps and spasms which are better in heat and better from pressure.

Colocynthis (Coloc.)
Severe cramps. Sharp stabbing pains which are better from heat and pressing hard into the area. Wants to be left alone. Sensitive face distorted from pain. Pain comes and goes fast. Better bending forward -doubling up. Pain associated with anger.

Dioscorea (Dios.)
Better bending backwards, the opposite of Colocynthis. Cramps in the fingers and toes.

Belladonna (Bell.)
Cramps, spasms, and bearing down pains come and go suddenly. There is heat and congestion. She is better sitting up and better from pressing on the genitals or abdomen. Worse from motion of any kind.

Borax (Bor.)
Profuse early menses with griping pains and nausea. Pain in the stomach extends to the back. In the menstrual flow large membranes are passed. There may be nausea.

Cactus (Cact.)
The whole uterus feels like a wire wrapped around it and tightened, or as if squeezed by hand. The pains are constricting.

Caulophyllum (Caul.)
Cramps in the uterus before menses, with pains in the lower back. There are bearing down spasmodic pains, with drawing pains in the legs. She feels weak and trembling inside. The uterus feels heavy and congested.

Cimicifuga Racemosa (Cimic.)
There are severe labor-like pains. Bearing down cramps and spasms. The pains travel from right to left to right, going back and forth. She bends over double and is restless, better from heat.

Sabina (Sabin.)
Sharp pains travel from the back (sacrum) to the front (pubic area). The flow is red with clots. She desires fresh air and is warm blooded.

Lachesis (Lach.)
Pains in the left ovary. There is sensitivity to any clothing where it binds at the neck or waist. The blackish menstrual flow relieves the symptoms.

Of course, this is only a partial list of all remedies that can help with menstrual pain. These remedies are also good for endometriosis symptoms (that match the remedy), ovarian cysts, and other painful female complaints.  

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Svea Lynn is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here. 

Menstrual Cramps & Adrenal Fatigue Revealed: Part 2

Last month, for the first time in a long time, I had relief from my menstrual cramps.

What did I do differently?!

I took an amazing homeopathic remedy! Each person's "constitutional remedy" is different, depending on their life challenges and the experience of their symptoms. My menstrual cramps are much different from most people I know. A remedy that works for me might not work for someone else. That is why it is important to see a Classical Homeopath to find your constitutional remedy.

I can't even begin to express my excitement. Finally, something that is working for my chronic menstrual cramps.

Over the weekend I also attended a training seminar. The topic was Sclerology - the study of the white part of the eye. Sclerology looks at different markings to determine the level of health of the body. At the end of the seminar we had our eyes analyzed. What came up for me?

Parasitic flukes . . . in my uterus!

This made A LOT of sense to me. Parasitic flukes in the uterus will cause endometriosis like symptoms.

Endometriosis is hard to "diagnose" because it looks a lot like PMS. Here are some associated symptoms:

• Pain before and during periods
• Pain with intercourse
• General, chronic pelvic pain throughout the month
• Low back pain
• Heavy and/or irregular periods
• Painful bowel movements, especially during menstruation
• Painful urination during menstruation
• Fatigue
• Infertility
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Headaches
• Low grade fevers
• Depression
• Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar)
• Anxiety
• Susceptibility to infections, allergies

Although I have never been diagnosed with Endometriosis (and indeed, I do not believe in the "diagnosis", anyway), I experience most of these symptoms during menses.

My Healing Plan

I am going to start a parasite cleanse right away. Since I have never done a parasite cleanse, I can only imagine how many parasites I have in my body. Being in the Naturopathy field, I have seen some pretty nasty parasites come out of people. I have heard stories about "bundles of worms" coming out through the bowels. I know, I know... this is really gross... but must be faced! I have included a picture for your viewing pleasure (hehe).

Flukes

If you experience a low grade infection, poor health, fatigue, headaches, nausea, constipation/diarrhea, or other similar common symptoms, then you probably have parasites too (especially if you have never done a parasite cleanse).

Each person needs an individualized parasite cleansing plan, depending on which parasites they carry. And, even if you are in a good state of health, you should still do an annual parasite cleanse.


Some good supplements to consider for parasite cleansing: Garlic, Black Walnut, Pumpkin Seed, and Cloves.

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Svea Lynn is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here. 

Menstrual Cramps & Adrenal Fatigue Revealed: Part 1

For years I have struggled with menstrual cramps. When I was a teenager, these menstrual cramps would be so painful that I wouldn't be able to continue normal activities. I stayed home from school on those days. As I grew older, this turned into not going to work on those days. I rested in bed, helpless, with no refuge from the pain. Heat seemed to help a little, but I still suffered. The only thing that would help were pain killers. As the years went on, and the dose of pain killers increased, the damage to my poor liver increased. The cycle was bad... every month the cramps would come on. I would try to struggle through, and when I couldn't do it any longer, I popped a Motrin or two. The cramps would feel better, but then the next month they would be the same.

 If you are a woman, then you probably know what I am talking about. Millions of women struggle from painful menses. They take pain killers, birth control pills, and other methods of suppression. Many of these methods help the cramps in the moment, but once they wear off, the painful menstrual cramps come back.

My Story

After a few years of suffering, a physician finally recommended birth control to eliminate these painful menstrual cramps. The birth control seemed to help, but there was something very artificial about it. It didn't feel right. I began to have mood swings and horrible cramps in my legs. The menstrual cramping was better, but the trade-off was not worth it. As I began to discover and study Naturopathy & Naturopathic medicine, I began to realize there were natural things that could be done to help painful menstruation. I also discovered how bad pain killers and birth control were for my health. For years I had subjected my body to toxic medicine at the expense of feeling no pain. I decided from that time on, I would no longer take the birth control, nor would I take pain killers (if I could help it!).

Well... the menstrual cramps came back... full force. This just shows that birth control pills didn't CURE me... they merely suppressed my symptoms until I stopped taking them. This, to me, is not medicine - it is suppression.

Since that time five years ago I have tried many (if not most) Naturopathic treatments for menstrual cramps. Some have worked for very short periods of time, while others have done nothing for me. I find it interesting that many articles out there say that eating a balanced diet will cure menstrual cramps. This hasn't been true for me, and I have eaten an extremely healthy and well-balanced diet for five years. This might work for some, but for the most part, I don't see it working for many.

Another Naturopathic suggestion I have heard is to take Red Raspberry tincture (or capsule or tea). I have also done this now for almost three years. It hasn't helped with the menstrual cramps. I continue to take Red Raspberry because it is so nourishing for the reproductive system. I would like to start a family some day, so I am building as much as I can now.

Some suggest Dong Quai. I tried that too. This, unlike the above remedies, helped me. During the months that I drank Dong Quai tea, I noticed the cramps were less severe. But, this didn't last when I stopped drinking it. For me, this was a palliative treatment - helping the symptoms but only while I was taking the remedy. This is not a true cure. A true cure would take the pain away, never returning again.

Goji Berries... yes... I tried those too. Those sweet, red berries seemed to help, but only during the time when I consumed them. I don't want to take a drug for the rest of my life, so why would I want to take a natural supplement everyday for the rest of my life (although Goji berries are very tasty and are highly nourishing). To me this was not a cure either (and I'm LOOKING for the CURE).

Up to that point, I hadn't found a cure.  I felt like a young jumbled mess. I continued to have extreme pain, but continued on my path to healing. I started to focus on myself and not everyone else. When I was a young adult, I took on too much responsibility out of a sense of obligation. This was no longer healthy for me, so I resigned from all my projects and groups. Those days to come were the best [and worst] days. I took a lot of time off work, yet began to feel so extremely exhausted. Many health professionals "diagnosed" me with adrenal fatigue & exhaustion.

So, there I was. A Naturopathic student with extreme menstrual pain and adrenal exhaustion. Hmmmph. Wasn't I supposed to be healthy? Wasn't I supposed to be vibrant?

After years and years of healthy eating, supplements, and natural therapies, nothing changed. What about all the "cure" stories I heard about in class? I was discouraged to the point of not believing that I would ever get better.

But, I'm proud to say now that I am finally at a place where I have found something that works for me. Almost two years ago I began seeing a classical Homeopath. I was put on a constitutional remedy, and I am amazed at my healing thus far. I will continue to post what worked for me and what didn't in more blogs to come (as this one is getting quite long... and I'm not writing a book on here - not yet anyway). This discovery has not only helped the way I practice, but it has also given me further insight into the world of Naturopathic medicine. More to come later blogs.

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Svea Lynn is a traditional Naturopath, classical homeopath and holistic doula. Her private doula practice can be found here. Her Montreal Natural Fertility site can be found here.