by Alex Phillips | Jul 25, 2022 | Periods
Irregular cycles If you’re a woman in your fertile years, you should be having a period approximately once a month. The average cycle is 28 days but a healthy range is between 21 and 35 days. Some women don’t have a regular cycle, and never know when they’re next going to get their period. This situation can be very frustrating when you want to know that your body is functioning properly. If you’re trying to get pregnant, it is even more frustrating to wait and hope for ovulation because your cycle is so irregular or to mistakenly think you are pregnant when your period hasn’t come for a while. What causes irregular cycles? Your menstrual cycle is based on a finely tuned hormonal feedback system between the ovaries and the hypothalamus in the brain. Often the cause of irregular menstrual cycles is a breakdown in this feedback system because of a lack of blood flow carrying the hormones to your ovaries and uterus and the communication in return with the hypothalamus. Blood carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones and other substances that are critical for every organ’s function, it also carries away waste products from cells. One of the main causes of lack of good blood flow in your pelvis and in turn irregular periods is when your uterus is not in an optimal position which can compromise the blood supply to the uterus and ovaries. Holistic treatment for regulating irregular periods Sobada Abdominal Massage, is a relaxing and therapeutic massage that strengthens the uterus and improves blood flow to the organs in your pelvis including your ovaries and uterus. Sobada is often nicknamed womb massage or uterine massage because of its profound impact on your womb. The treatment helps to improve your overall menstrual cycle and encourage regular pain-free ovulation and menstruation. In addition, the treatment helps relax tension in your abdomen, release adhesions and return organs (including your uterus) to their optimum position. As a result you’ll feel calmer and you’ll be able to anticipate your monthly period without fear. I incorporate hand and foot reflexology to help you truly relax and return to a state of balance. Foot reflexology is very effective in improving your cycles and improving your hormone levels. In our first treatment together, I teach you a short (5-10 minute) self-care massage you can use at home to complement my treatment. If you are consistent about performing this self care massage at home, you will also see faster results. Emotional support for your hormonal health: Stress can have a huge impact on your health and your menstrual cycle. I help my clients reduce their stress, anxiety and fears and concerns around fertility treatments and/or trying to conceive in general using Bach Flowers, visualisation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping. I believe that when you feel calm, you’re sleeping well and you generally feel good your cycles are more likely to be regular and pain free. Can the pill or hormonal birth control regulate my cycle? The short answer is NO! The pill and other hormonal birth control shuts down your regular menstrual cycle and in most cases prevents ovulation from occurring. The bleed you may have while taking the pill or using other hormonal birth control is not considered a real period. Hormonal birth control masks any hormonal imbalance you may be suffering with but it usually returns as soon as you stop taking the hormones. In some cases, it’s worse than before you started. There are legitimate reasons for using hormonal birth control but using it to regulate your cycle or solve symptoms like irregular periods, painful periods, heavy bleeding and/or hormonal acne is counter intuitive. What about teenagers? It’s actually normal for teenagers to have somewhat irregular cycles while the feedback loop system is learning. As annoying as this can be it is developmentally normal and an important part of long term reproductive and hormonal health. For this reason, it is recommended that teenagers avoid using hormonal birth control including the pill especially if the reasons are not for preventing pregnancy. I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you! I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology. I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally. I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and...
by Alex Phillips | Jul 25, 2022 | Periods
Painful Periods Periods do not need to be painful! Your period should be painless, without cramping, headaches, backache or extreme fatigue. Even if you have been experiencing painful periods for many years it’s important you know that the situation can be improved and in many cases painful periods can be eliminated entirely. What causes painful periods? The position of your uterus: To quote my teacher Rosita Arvigo, “Too many women and girls experience painful menstruation caused by a malpositioned uterus. Until uterine position is addressed and corrected, no pills and herbs will bring about relief of these symptoms. The basic underlying cause must be treated.” Ineffective contractions When your uterus is not in the ideal position it may not be receiving enough blood and oxygen flow, the contractions your uterus makes during your period to release the blood are less effective which makes your uterus try harder by contracting even more, usually causing pain. When the contractions are ineffective, it can take longer for your uterus to empty and for your period to end. You might also have staining before and after your period. If you’re seeing a lot of very dark red, brown and black blood it’s most likely old blood from a previous cycle that wasn’t released. This old blood can show up as staining before or after your actual period. Old blood left over from previous cycles If your uterus doesn’t succeed in successfully letting go of the previous cycle’s uterine lining (endometrium) the pain can worsen with time as your uterus tries and fails to release the accumulated blood. Difficulty releasing waste products Your uterus, like any organ in the body, also produces waste products that need to be removed via your lymphatic system. If your uterus is not sitting well in your pelvis it can often block the easy removal of these waste products leading to congestion in your pelvis and ultimately pain during your period or at other times of the month. How does womb massage help reduce period pain? I use a combination of Sobada, abdominal massage (sometimes referred to as uterine massage or womb massage) and reflexology to help you enjoy pain-free periods. Sobada abdominal massage is a pleasant and relaxing massage on the abdomen and back that focuses on improving blood flow to your uterus and ovaries and encouraging your uterus into the best possible position in your pelvis. The treatment is very relaxing and improves both your breathing and digestion in addition to your monthly cycle. In turn, this improves your chances of enjoying a pain-free cycle. In our first treatment together, I teach you a short (5-10 minute) self-care massage you can use at home to complement my treatment. If you are consistent about performing this self care massage at home, you will also most likely see faster results. How long does it take to see results? Some women experience an improvement after the very first treatment and for others the process takes longer. Most of my clients have experienced an improvement within a the first two months, especially if they perform the self-care massage I teach my clients which complements treatment with me. In addition, I have some herbal formulas that are helpful plus some other lifestyle changes and powerful remedies for you to use at home. I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you! I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology. I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally. I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and reflexology take place in my clinic in Modi’in but EFT Tapping sessions and Fertility Awareness education can take place online or in person). Learn more about working with me here. Send me a WhatsApp message FollowFollow Testimonials I came for treatment at Annette Green’s for help after several miscarriages and I had no idea it was possible for such a change and such amazing improvement in my menstrual cycle. The bleeding changes from so painful that I had to take painkillers each much to an easy period which felt so much lighter and healthier, the bleeding was much lighter than before and I rariely have to take paint killers or rest too much when I get my period. I recommend womb massage to everyone! It improves your period, feels great, it’s relaxing and pleasant. Limor, Modi’in I have been seeing Annette for the...
by Alex Phillips | Jul 25, 2022 | Periods
PCOS If you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), you probably have two out of the following three signs: Common PCOS symptoms: Lack of ovulation High levels of male hormones (testosterone) in the blood Ovaries with enlarged polycystic ovaries with multiple cysts In addition, you may have one or more of the following symptoms: Fertility problems Irregular cycles Excess hair Acne Excess weight Male pattern baldness Whether you want to get pregnant or just prevent future health problems (women who suffer from PCOS are also at higher risk of diabetes, endometrial cancer, and heart disease), holistic treatment can make a huge difference in the treatment of PCOS. What causes PCOS? The exact cause of PCOS is not known. There is often a hereditary factor so if your mother, grandmother and/or sisters have been diagnosed there is a higher chance you will also have PCOS. The main theory of the cause of PCOS is related to insulin, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels in your body. Although this theory is very popular it doesn’t explain the many cases of women with PCOS who have normal insulin and blood sugar levels. An alternative theory of what causes PCOS Each month your body starts to grow several follicles in your ovaries in preparation for ovulation. In the case of PCOS, often ovulation doesn’t occur and the follicles in various stages of development that were meant to develop and release an egg at ovulation stop developing and remain on the surface of the ovary. Often these partially developed follicles are visible on ultrasound and look like cysts and that’s why the condition is called Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. The hormonal balance associated with PCOS (elevated levels of FSH, LH and testosterone) are both a symptom and cause of continuing imbalance. I believe that when we improve the communication within the body between the endocrine glands together with lifestyle changes, you can experience significant improvement in symptoms, your cycle and your ability to get pregnant (if that’s what you want!). My teacher Rosita Arvigo has taught extensively about the importance of good blood flow throughout the body especially in the pelvis in order for a woman to experience a healthy menstrual cycle including pain-free ovulation and menstruation. The position of your uterus in your pelvis can have a huge impact on the flow of blood in your pelvis. Holistic treatment for PCOS? The treatment of PCOS requires a multi-pronged approach. We want to do everything we can to ensure ovulation occurs regularly and at the right time of the cycle. Women with PCOS often have long cycles due to delayed ovulation. I use a combination of Sobada, abdominal massage (sometimes referred to as uterine massage or womb massage) and reflexology to help you enjoy pain-free periods. Sobada abdominal massage is a pleasant and relaxing massage on the abdomen and back that focuses on improving blood flow to your uterus and ovaries and encouraging your uterus into the best possible position in your pelvis. The treatment is very relaxing and improves both your breathing and digestion in addition to your monthly cycle. In turn, this improves your chances of enjoying a regular cycle with ovulation and hormonal balance. In our first treatment together, I teach you a short (5-10 minute) self-care massage you can use at home to complement my treatment. If you are consistent about performing this self care massage at home, you will also see faster results. How long does it take to see results? Some women experience an improvement after the very first treatment and for others the process takes longer. Most of my clients have experienced an improvement within the first two months, especially if they perform the self-care massage I teach my clients which complements treatment with me. In addition, I have some herbal formulas that are helpful plus some other lifestyle changes and powerful remedies for you to use at home. I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you! I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology. I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally. I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and reflexology take place in my clinic in Modi’in but EFT Tapping sessions and Fertility Awareness education can take place online or in person)....
by Alex Phillips | Jul 25, 2022 | Periods
Peri-menopause and menopause Menopause is when your cycle stops at the end of your fertile years. Peri-menopause refers to the 3-10 years before your periods stop. Most women experience different signs and changes in their cycle during the peri-menopausal years. Common symptoms during peri-menopause hot flushes night sweats irregular periods (very close to together or very far apart) heavy bleeding mood swings exhaustion anxiety vaginal dryness Unfortunately, some women still experience some of these symptoms even after their cycles have stopped. I can help you navigate the end of your fertile years in a calmer and more balanced way. Physical support for transitioning into menopause: Sobada Abdominal Massage, is a relaxing and therapeutic massage that strengthens the uterus and improves blood flow to the organs in your pelvis including your ovaries and uterus. Sobada is often nicknamed womb massage or uterine massage because of its profound impact on your womb. The treatment helps to improve your overall menstrual cycle, balance your hormones and reduce hot flashes, night sweats and other peri-menopause symptoms. In addition, the treatment helps relax tension in your abdomen, release adhesions and return organs (including your uterus) to their optimum position. I incorporate hand and foot reflexology to help you truly relax and return to a state of balance. Foot reflexology is very effective in improving your cycles, balancing your hormone levels and helping you feel calmer and more capable even amongst the changes. In our first treatment together, I teach you a short (5-10 minute) self-care massage you can use at home to complement my treatment. If you are consistent about performing this self care massage at home, it’s likely you’ll see improvements in your cycle. Plus it feels good and is relaxing. Emotional support for your hormonal health: Stress, anxiety and fears about and during peri-menopause and menopause can have a huge impact on your health, your menstrual cycle and how you experience peri-menopause and menopause. I help my clients reduce their stress, anxiety and fears and concerns around menopause using Bach Flowers, visualisation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping. I believe that when you feel calm, you’re sleeping well and you generally feel good you can cope better with life and the challenges of peri-menopause. Frequently asked questions How often do I need a treatment to improve my menopause symptoms? Treatments are scheduled according to your unique needs. Typically, you might start with weekly treatments for the first few weeks and slowly space out the treatments to every two or three weeks. Once your symptoms have improved, I recommend a monthly maintenance appointment in order to preserve your newfound balance. I have only been getting my period once every few months. How will your treatment affect my cycles? Your body is going through an important process of ceasing monthly ovulation and periods. You may find that your periods happen less often before stopping altogether. Holistic treatments support this healthy process and allow your body to enter menopause in the healthiest shape possible. My mood swings are affecting the whole family. Can you help? Mood swings are a natural part of menopause and are directly related to changes in hormones. I take a holistic approach to helping my clients. Most of my clients find that when their hormones are more balanced, they have less mood swings and the ones they may have are less extreme. I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you! I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology. I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally. I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and reflexology take place in my clinic in Modi’in but EFT Tapping sessions and Fertility Awareness education can take place online or in person). Learn more about working with me here. Send me a WhatsApp message FollowFollow Testimonials I came for treatment at Annette Green’s for help after several miscarriages and I had no idea it was possible for such a change and such amazing improvement in my menstrual cycle. The bleeding changes from so painful that I had to take painkillers each much to an easy period which felt so much lighter and healthier, the bleeding was much lighter than before and I rariely have to...
by Alex Phillips | Jul 25, 2022 | Periods
PMS Does PMS turn you into a monster once a month? You’re not alone! But that doesn’t make it any easier. Common PMS symptoms: Do you experience the days before your period: feeling anxious and stressed losing your temper feeling hypersensitive and prone to crying experiencing headaches experiencing swollen and tender breasts craving for sweets and chocolate and an unexplained dark cloud that leaves you feeling down PMS can range from mild symptoms to more extreme. It’s normal to experience some minor symptoms during the monthly cycle but if they’re interfering with your life and causing stress for yourself and your loved ones, it’s worth looking for a holistic way to improve the situation. Could PMS be connected to the position of my uterus? One of the contributing factors of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) could be the way your uterus is positioned in your pelvis as this often affects the flow of blood (and hormones in your blood) in your abdomen and pelvis. Our menstrual cycles involve a complex symphony of rising and falling hormones that affect each other. When there is an imbalance in this hormonal balance it can affect how you experience different times of the month especially leading up to your period. A misaligned uterus interrupts the communication between your brain and your ovaries and uterus which means you might continue producing hormones you don’t need simply because of a lack of communication. Once we improve the communication, hormone levels even out and you don’t experience the raging symptoms of your hormones being out of balance. Stress and PMS: Our bodies are clever and when pressure builds up, they try to find a way to “let off steam”, sometimes that means mood swings, tears and physical symptoms. I find time and time again that we hold a lot of our stress in our abdomens, specifically in the diaphragm, the dome shaped muscle found just under your ribs. During treatment, using gentle massage techniques we release the tension here and allow the blood to flow freely from and to your heart. Breathing improves and in turn your overall level of calm and sense of wellbeing. Is it possible that if you felt calmer and more centred during the month there would be less tension to erupt the week before your period? I believe so! Physical support for reducing PMS: Sobada Abdominal Massage, is a relaxing and therapeutic massage that strengthens the uterus and improves blood flow to the organs in your pelvis including your ovaries and uterus. Sobada is often nicknamed womb massage or uterine massage because of it’s profound impact on your womb. The treatment helps to improve your overall menstrual cycle and balance your hormones. In addition, the treatment helps relax tension in your abdomen, release adhesions and return organs (including your uterus) to their optimum position. As a result you’ll feel calmer and you’ll be able to anticipate your monthly period without fear. I incorporate hand and foot reflexology to help you truly relax and return to a state of balance. Foot reflexology is very effective in improving your cycles and improving your hormone levels. In our first treatment together, I teach you a short (5-10 minute) self-care massage you can use at home to complement my treatment. If you are consistent about performing this self care massage at home, it’s likely you’ll see improvements in your cycle. Plus it feels good and is relaxing. Emotional support for your hormonal health: Stress can have a huge impact on your health and your menstrual cycle. I help my clients reduce their stress, anxiety and fears and concerns around their cycles using Bach Flowers, visualisation and EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) Tapping. I believe that when you feel calm, you’re sleeping well and you generally feel good your cycles are more likely to be regular and symptom free. I’m a holistic therapist and I am here to help you! I love helping women to overcome their fertility challenges and other issues related to your cycles, pregnancy, periods and/or anxiety. I treat women with abdominal and womb massage techniques known as Sobada (formally the Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage) and reflexology. I’m also an Advanced EFT Tapping practitioner and I work with women in particular issues around anxiety, depression, stress levels. I teach Fertility Awareness to help women better know their bodies and improve their chances of conceiving or prevent pregnancy naturally. I live in Modi’in, Israel and that’s where I spend my days helping women during their fertile years, pregnancy, menopause and other hormonal conditions. Bodywork sessions (massage and reflexology take place in my clinic in Modi’in but EFT Tapping sessions and Fertility Awareness education can take place online or in person). Learn more about working with me here. Send me a WhatsApp message FollowFollow Testimonials I came for treatment at Annette Green’s for help after several...
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