How Does Massage Help Fibroids?

Overview

Fibroid Tumors

Fibroids are benign (non cancerous) tumors that grow inside the muscular wall of the uterus or underneath the endometrial lining of the uterine wall. Fibroids commonly occur in women between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. Women often have more than one fibroid tumor at a time. Fibroid tumors can be the size of a pea or grow to be larger than a grapefruit. After menopause, fibroid tumors shrink. The exact cause of fibroid formation is not known. There is a genetic link, meaning fibroids tend to run in families. The hormones estrogen and progesterone, seem to play a role in fibroid formation. Fibroid tumors are not dangerous, but they can cause undesirable symptoms in some women. Women who have large fibroid tumors or a large number of fibroid tumors, may experience heavy menstrual periods and abdominal pain. The most common conventional treatment for painful fibroids, is surgery to remove the tumor. Some alternative health practitioners use abdominal massage to treat fibroid tumors.

Abdominal-Sacral Massage

Abdominal-Sacral Massage is a massage technique where the lower back and abdomen are externally manipulated to realign the pelvic bones into the proper position. When the pelvic bones are misaligned, blood flow is reduced to the female organs. Realigning the pelvic bones allows the uterus and other female organs to go back into their proper position, where they receive sufficient blood flow. Pelvic bones become misaligned throughout everyday life from activities such as prolonged sitting, pregnancy, poor posture and car accidents. Alternative health practitioners suggest fibroids are caused by unhealthy uterine conditions, including reduced blood flow and a poor diet.

How Abdominal-Sacral Massage is Performed

Abdominal-Sacral Massage is performed by a licensed massage therapist or alternative health practitioner who has been trained in Abdominal-Sacral Massage techniques. The therapist or practitioner uses their hands to massage the lower back and abdomen. Massages last anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour. Dietary changes and stress reduction lifestyle changes are often recommended to enhance the healing process. Sometimes, patients are instructed on self massage methods that they can do at home between treatments. The recommended frequency to receive treatments varies depending on the therapist or practitioner and the patient's responsiveness to the treatment.