Looking to untangle some time-of-the-month knots?
Try these stretches for menstrual cramps to relieve discomfort.
Its why theres a certainaudacityto someone suggestingworking out on periodwhen PMS and period cramps have you immobilized.
Nonetheless, movement can help with certain pain relief, well cop to that.
Stretching will improve circulation to the region, reduce tension in these muscles and eventually, relieve pain.
It also affects the parasympathetic nervous system, essentially telling your brain and body to relax.
director of Facessage Programming and co-founder of Stretchd
Of course, not all stretches are created equal when it comes to cramp relief.
Chu recommends you side-step anything that impinges on the abdominal area, including very deep twists of forward folds.
The last thing you want is more areas of tightness post-workout.
With the active repetitions, youre pumping blood flow into the muscles and helping them stay warm and relaxed.
These stretches are meant to be softer lifts, so to speak.
They build in intensity over each repetition, but you shouldnt have to overexert yourself with each extension.
Just take it as far as it goes with each rep, says Chu.
Gently draw the knees in wide towards the armpits, using your hands behind the thighs for assistance.
Sit with your legs bent in front of you and your feet planted wider than hip distance apart.
director of Facessage Programming and co-founder of Stretchd
Hold for two to three seconds before slowly rounding up.
Repeat 10 to 12 times and youll feel that unclench.
Interlace the fingers behind the head.
With the elbows out wide, start to twist the trunk over to one side, says Chu.
Hold for two to three seconds before returning to center.
Twist to the same side again about three to four times.
Come back up, untwist.
Repeat this another three or four times, and then repeat the routine on the other side.
And fingers crossed that by the end of it youll feel un-pretzeled!
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