Massage: A Natural Menopause Therapy

Natural menopause therapy is being sought out by many women these days. Western medicine treats menopause symptoms with medications. These medications can have unwanted side effects. This leaves many women looking for an alternative method to treat the often difficult symptoms of menopause.

When menopause occurs hormonal changes in the woman's body can cause menopause symptoms. Among them are:

• hot flashes
• vaginal dryness
• mood swings
• hair loss
• weight gain
• dry skin
• headaches
• pain during intercourse
• night sweats
• trouble sleeping
• urinary incontinence

Besides these physical symptoms many women feel a profound sense of loss and slip into depression.

Depression is not associated with the specific hormonal changes of menopause. It is brought on by the long list of symptoms.

There are two phases of menopause.

Perimenopause last 4 to 5 years. During this time periods are irregular. Hot flashes occur and the other symptoms of menopause begin.

Postmenopause starts 12 months after your last period and include the years that follow.

Lifestyle changes and alternative medicine can help manage the symptoms of menopause. Regular exercise and a healthy, balanced diet can help prevent hot flashes and decrease the risk of diseases that occur after menopause--osteoporosis, heart disease, and diabetes.

Massage can also help ease the symptoms. Modalities like shiatsu and Mayan Abdominal massage can add to natural menopause therapy by treating some of the symptoms. Mayan abdominal massage therapists are also trained in herbalism and can tell you what herbs to take to help your symptoms.

If you can't get these specific types of massage where you live try aromatherapy massage or even a traditional Swedish massage that focuses on the abdominal region and lower back. Massage can help ease physical symptoms like headaches, sleep problems and dry skin. It can also help get rid of stress. The more stress a woman feels, the more severe the symptoms of menopause.

Massage also helps ease depression.

The use of alternative therapies can help you make a smoother transition into the postmenopausal phase of life.

Some Books You May Be Interested In

What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause (TM): The Breakthrough Book on Natural Hormone Balance

Natural Woman, Natural Menopause

Menopause Without Medicine: The Trusted Women's Resource with the Latest Information on HRT, Breast Cancer, Heart Disease, and Natural Estrogens

Kathy Smith's Moving Through Menopause: The Complete Program for Exercise, Nutrition, and Total Wellness

Fit and Sexy For Life: The Hormone-Free Plan for Staying Slim, Strong, and Fabulous in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond