Period Pain
Woman Suffering From Period Pain
Period Pain & Low Back Pain: How Osteopathy Can Help
Do you experience low back pain during your period? You’re not alone. Many women suffer from back, pelvic, or abdominal discomfort around menstruation — symptoms that fall under the umbrella of dysmenorrhoea, the medical term for painful periods.
What Is Dysmenorrhoea?
Dysmenorrhoea refers to the cramping and discomfort that accompany menstruation. Common symptoms include:
Abdominal cramps and bloating
Lower back or pelvic pain
Leg or hip pain
Nausea or vomiting
Headaches
Fatigue or general achiness
For some, this pain is mild and short-lived. For others, it can be severe and disruptive to work, sleep, and daily activities.
Why Do You Get Low Back Pain During Your Period?
Menstrual back pain can be due to several factors. In many cases, it’s an aggravation of pre-existing low back or pelvic issues, made worse by hormonal fluctuations and the physical contractions of the uterus as it sheds its lining.
When progesterone and estrogen levels drop, the uterus produces prostaglandins — chemicals that help the uterus contract. High levels of prostaglandins can cause stronger contractions and referred pain into the lower back and pelvis.
Existing joint restrictions, muscular tightness, or postural imbalances can further increase the likelihood of back pain during menstruation.
How Osteopathy Can Help Relieve Period-Related Back Pain
Our experienced osteopaths in South Yarra can assess the mechanical and structural contributors to your discomfort and provide safe, gentle treatment to ease pain and improve movement. Osteopathic treatment may involve:
Soft tissue massage and stretching to reduce muscle tension
Joint mobilisation to restore normal pelvic and spinal mobility
Postural and ergonomic advice to prevent recurrent pain
Education and self-care strategies to support you through each menstrual cycle
By improving your body’s movement patterns and reducing restriction through the spine, hips, and pelvis, osteopathy can help alleviate the severity of pain you experience during your period.
Supportive Strategies for Managing Period Pain
In addition to hands-on care, your osteopath may suggest at-home strategies such as:
Applying heat packs to the lower abdomen or back
Stretching and gentle exercise to encourage circulation
Sleep and stress management techniques
Nutritional and hydration advice to support hormonal balance
If your osteopath suspects that your pain could be due to an underlying medical condition — such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or uterine fibroids — they will refer you to your GP or gynaecologist for further investigation.
When to See an Osteopath
If you’ve tried various remedies and still struggle with period pain or recurring low back discomfort, osteopathic treatment may offer a natural and effective way to manage your symptoms. Our practitioners can help identify contributing musculoskeletal factors and create a treatment plan tailored to your body.
Book Your Appointment
If you’re suffering from low back pain during your period, our osteos can help relieve pain and restore comfort with gentle, evidence-informed care.
• Get to know our South Yarra osteopaths here
• Explore our Osteopathic Movement wellness centre
• Book your appointment online
Written by Dr Dayne Sweres (B.AppSci (CompMed), M.Osteo) – Founder, Osteopathic Movement, South Yarra.