Massage During Menstruation
A new client arrived this week to my office and as we settled in for our first consultation she bashfully confessed that she had her period. Her apologetic tone is a common one I hear among women that visit me for a massage. I smiled and thanked her for telling me and then proceeding to let her know that I was glad she came in during this time because having your period and receiving a massage is a healthy and comforting experience.
As long as women have existed, much of the world throughout history has frowned upon women speaking of their period. A topic best kept for secretive conversations a new and developing acceptance in society has emerged where talks of periods are freely flowing (pun intended).
A woman’s menstruation is part of the human reproductive system, a vital part to our existence as a race. Yes, there’s blood involved, so what? Yes, it’s messy and uncomfortable (for many, a miserable time of the month). But let us not escape from the fact that it is a necessary function of our bodies and never to be seen as shameful.
Then what of other functions like vomiting, blowing our noses and moving our bowels? Should we invite those topics of conversation into polite society as well? Where do we draw the line?
Unlike the aforementioned goings-on in the body none are rarely treated with as much embarrassment as women and their periods. Vomiting is a symptom of a disease or illness, menstruation is neither one of these. Mucus build up and thus blowing our nose falls under the same category of symptoms of a deeper dysfunction and moving our bowels… well, I believe this should be addressed as well as a periods because of its regularity being a sign of good health (without emphasis of the details).
You can see where I’m going with this. Menstruation is a sign of a woman’s health and despite the literal messiness, pain and inconvenience associated with it, the subject itself should not carry a stigma of dirtiness. I know of women that feel uncomfortable discussing this even among other women in their lives.
Massage therapy applied during a women’s cycle can and has provided levels of relief. Often times women feel severe lower back aches, pain referring down the legs, swelling, headaches, insomnia and general overall discomfort. Aside from feeling all of this, she’s required to trudge through the daily burden of responsibilities, work or school at the same level of energy and focus. I understand that not every woman suffers at the same level (there are some that rarely feel anything) and some which might lie and manipulate using their periods. I’m not referring to the ethics of some people but to the disconnect we have with menstruation. If the female body needs more rest due to loss of blood and thus essential minerals and nutrients then it should be considered not suppressed. We live in a world where work is placed on a pedastal and any “excuse” or complaint about caring for our bodies disregarded as weak. On the contrary we show strength and wisdom when we slow down and listen to the signals of our bodies for the sake of better performance and longevity in the future. Not to mention the avoidance or burn out and resentment of our bodies.
Firstly, women should feel encouraged to schedule a massage even when they are menstruation. Of course a massage therapist may have reservations themselves. If this is the case, this is an excellent time to challenge why they feel opposed to giving a massage to a woman during this time.
Some therapists may feel disgusted at the thought of touching a woman with her period but again I challenge this way of thinking. It is a form of rejecting a person that is simply experiencing a natural occurrence in the body.
Some may argue that sheets will be stained with blood and thus increase chances of lack of hygiene and sanitation. I find this to argument to be as weak as getting angry at a woman for allowing a leak to happen. There has never been a woman that I’ve met that hasn’t been overcautious about preventing leaks. In fact, the very idea of a woman showing a leaking of blood on clothing let alone linens on a massage table would leave most mortified. Most women take extra care to make sure they are well protected before they leave their homes and throughout the day. If a small spill of some sort does occur (which I have witnessed) due to a period starting suddenly or a heavy flow, simply toss out the sheet completely. Be kind and assure her that all is well. Do not prolong the issue and treat her with contempt.
Considering that the majority of massage therapy consumers are women it would be well advised for the industry to take notice of the benefits of receiving massage during menstruation. Keeping feminine products in massage treatment rooms and using warm compresses over the tummy during cramps makes the world of a difference. Including the status of menstruation during a consultation helps a woman understand that her period is simply a part of her health and nothing to be ashamed of.
Let us put aside antiquated ideas that a period is not something to be mentioned let alone helped with in wellness. Women receive emotional comfort and care during massage, they experience much needed release of muscular tension or boosts of natural mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain such as serotonin and endorphins to balance a woman and help her feel better. But more so and on a deeper level, they feel cared for as valued human beings. They see that something they experience once a month is not something to veer away from but to be acknowledged and even modified for. In a small sense, it builds empowerment as confidence is contributed by massage therapists as healthcare providers caring for women as valued clients.
