The human body is an intricate network of interconnected systems, with hormones playing a large role in maintaining overall health. Among the various systems affected by hormonal fluctuations, the musculoskeletal system is often overlooked but an important system. In this blog post we will explain how female hormones impact the musculoskeletal system and the role manual therapy can play in promoting women’s health.
Understanding Female Hormones and Their Impact:
While there are many hormones involved in female health, we will focus on two important ones: estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones regulate various bodily functions, including bone density, joint health and muscle and ligament function. These hormones fluctuate throughout a woman’s life, with significant changes occurring during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause.
Puberty: During puberty, the rapid rise in estrogen levels contributes to developing healthy bone mass. This phase is critical for establishing peak bone density, which acts as a foundation for musculoskeletal health in later years.
Menstrual Cycle: The menstrual cycle brings about regular fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormonal shifts influence joint laxity and muscle tension, potentially impacting athletic performance and general injury susceptibility during certain phases of the menstrual cycle. Fluctuations in menstrual cycle hormones also contribute to tension and migraine headaches.
Pregnancy: Pregnancy introduces unique challenges to the musculoskeletal system. The complex relationship between hormone changes and new physical demands of carrying a growing foetus, can lead to alterations in joint stability, posture and mechanical function.
Menopause: The onset of menopause brings a decline in estrogen levels. This leads to accelerated bone loss and increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Muscles and joints may also be affected, contributing to issues like joint pain and decreased muscle mass.
The Role of Chiropractic Care:
Chiropractic care should incorporate a variety of techniques to combat hormonal influences in the musculoskeletal system throughout the stage you are in. Techniques such as massage, needling, joint manipulation and rehabilitation can address these musculoskeletal issues well.
- Pain Management
Pain can arise from any musculoskeletal structure such as bone, joint, muscle or ligament. Pain management may include soft tissue therapies such as massage and dry needling to joint mobilisation and manipulation. Your chiropractor will discuss with you which techniques they feel will provide the most relief.
- Joint Mobility
Joint mobility is widely impacted by hormonal changes, particularly during ovulation, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. Understanding which joints need encouraged movements and which need more stabilisation because of increased laxity, may assist greatly in preventing musculoskeletal issues.
- Bone Health
With the risk in osteoporosis growing with age, particularly post-menopausal women, manual therapy in conjunction with exercise and nutritional assessments, can promote healthy bone density and reduce the risk of complications such as falls and fractures.
- Tracking Triggers
If you are feeling confused with your musculoskeletal pain and are not sure if it is hormonal based, a flare tracking program may be beneficial to track possible triggers. For some this may be menstrual cycle related and for others this may be more specific such as headache tracking or menopause tracking. Speak to your chiropractor about thorough hormone and trigger tracking.
The intricate relationship between female hormones and the musculoskeletal system highlights the importance of a holistic approach to women’s health. Manual therapy can be a valuable tool in promoting musculoskeletal well-being, offering a non-invasive and effective means of addressing issues influenced by hormonal fluctuations. By understanding these connections, healthcare practitioners can tailor treatment to support women throughout different stages of life, optimising both hormone and musculoskeletal health.