The month of October has many people preparing for Halloween. Many of us look forward to dispensing candy to children dressed like superheroes, witches, robots and princesses.

Some women face a monster of other sorts in October, and monthly, every 28 days or so.

Menstrual Cramping
Cyclic cramping pain is experienced by all women to some degree. The difference in pain intensity is subjective, but most women agree there are acceptable levels of discomfort and something altogether different – often referred to as “monster cramps.”

Dysmenorrheal (or the severe pain or cramps that accompany a menstrual cycle) is momentarily debilitating with loss of common daily activities. Women often may also miss work due to this painful condition.

Hormonally-driven cyclic expansion of the uterus causes pressure in the pelvis, which commonly is referred to as “fluid retention.” Excessive pain also may be caused by other factors, including backward positioning or the tilting of the uterus.

Once a gynecological examination has ruled out medical issues, many women face confusion, concern and alternative care choices to address dysmenorrheal cramping.

Relief Options
Many options abound for women, including prescribed medications, over the counter relief, warm compress/hot water bottle relief and chiropractic adjustments.

Many women receive immediate relief from cramping through chiropractic treatment. Chiropractic adjustment has been used to treat menstrual cramping since 1922, with successful outcomes common.

Today's technology allows chiropractors to pinpoint exactly where misalignment may be occurring or impacting the cramping sensation. Radiology studies confirm and measure misalignment and rule out pathology, fracture or infection.

Once adequate bone density is identified, repositioning of bone found out of normal position is commonly performed by hand, called a chiropractic adjustment.

Past Injuries Might be Causing Today's Cramps
Patient history review can find childhood or adolescent injury during sports, cheerleading or common slips and falls to hard surfaces as initiating the pelvic misalignment. Multiple pelvic misalignments can leave the pelvis asymmetrical, leading to severe cramps.

If this describes your symptoms, consider consulting a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.) who can realign pelvic structures from the side posture position and help alleviate monthly menstrual cramping.

Lance Armstrong, D.C., is a Doctor of Chiropractic and former past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association. His office, Armstrong Chiropractic Family Center, is located in Cocoa Beach. For more information, call (321) 783-4455.