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Menopause and Stone Therapy By Jenny Ray
*Geothermal Therapy refers to hot and cold stone massage. *Non-Thermal Geotherapy refers to crystal and gem stone modalities.
The baby boom generation has arrived! The median age of women in the world is now 55 years, which is the average age of onset for menopause. A brief history will show us how difficult it has been for women to receive adequate education on this natural process of aging.
The medical industry was predominately male oriented until the late 1940’s when because of World War ll there was an opening for female practitioners in the medical profession. Prior to this time most funding for research was focused on injury, disease and surgery processes with non gender specific research. The gynecological studies necessary to understand perimenopause, menopausal and post menopausal symptoms were not introduced into modern medicine until the mid 60’s. A few random research projects were under way but nothing of significance until 1968 when a long term study group was organized at Johns Hopkins University.
Therefore during the past 30 years most women have entered menopause with little more knowledge than the old wives tales of their grandmother’s generation. We now have the largest population base in the history of human-kind entering this relatively uncharted territory! There are more women alive on the planet than ever before. They out number men two to one world wide and with more women stepping into positions of leadership it is imperative that we understand our body functions. To think of the majority of the human race running around with misunderstood hormone imbalances is really quite disturbing!
As a Geothermal Therapist it is important to have a basic understanding and recognition of the symptoms of menopause if we are to adjust our treatment programs to serve this segment of our clientele. Although this is a natural and completely necessary part of aging there are times when it can be very unsettling for the woman who has little or no knowledge of what is happening to her body. We can help relieve emotional stress by simply assisting with education and assist with wellness by offering a variety of treatment options.
Basically menopause refers to atrophy of the ovaries which results in reduction of estrogen production. The results are less frequent and irregular menstrual cycles with complete session of ovulation. Eventually the reproductive years for a woman come to an end and she steps into the supportive role of grandmother. This all sounds very romantic until we look at the physiological process. As the ovaries stop producing eggs, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone levels drop. These are the three significant hormones for procreation. They also support physical and emotional balance for a woman during the first half of her life. So naturally when these shifts take place the resulting symptoms can be misunderstood and even frightening.
A brief list of some of these symptoms might surprise you. A shortage of estrogen causes the adrenal glands to pump out extra adrenaline and a push of niacin (trace mineral stored in muscle tissue) enters the blood stream and the resulting flush and perspiration is known as the ever popular ‘hot flash’! The testosterone shortage lowers libido, increases vaginal dryness, weakens muscle strength, creates hair loss, reduces endurance, softens and thins epidermis of the skin, creates acne like skin irritations, and can cause weight gain.
The shortage of progesterone effects internal organs as the body attempts to adjust to its’ new chemistry. This can create lowered immunity, digestive disorders, heart burn, acid indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome and irregularity to mention a few.
Just thinking about becoming a non-sexual, weakling, who goes bald in a lazy and fat, pimply faced body; can be reason enough for insanity! Add to this the fact that without the testosterone balance, estrogen (the emotion hormone) is now left unchecked to increase and decrease levels in a split second and you can see why one huge symptom is depression!
These hormone imbalances stress the endocrine system and adrenals can completely fail. At any point during this mysterious journey certain symptoms may appear. Some of them may never occur others visit as often as once an hour and still others may set in for a longer duration of up to several months on end. The more often or longer a client experiences the symptom the more interruption it will have on her life style.
Some of the more frustrating symptoms are; head aches (migraine in particular), blurred vision, heart palpitations and arrhythmia, tremors or shakiness, muscle cramps, water retention, memory impairment, inability to stay focused, decrease or increase in appetite, digestive disorders, irritable bowl syndrome, irregular and eventual secession of menstrual cycle, emotional out bursts (anger) and lack of emotional control (crying), insomnia (often due to night sweats), and the afore mentioned hot flashes, physical weakness, lack of libido, hair loss and depression. And you wanted to be a grandma!!
Wow that sounds like fun … and this is normal?? Unfortunately most of these symptoms are normal. In a fit and healthy, well balanced body most of these symptoms never appear or are only present for a few moments over a short period of time. 65% of women move through menopause with little to no physical discomfort. We will see the other 35% presenting these odd symptoms on our massage tables over the next ten years.
We need to educate our selves and our clients on the acceptable severity and duration of these symptoms. We must understand how to deal with them if we ourselves (or our mates) are to enjoy the ageing process. Generally speaking the journey through menopause is about 4 to 6 years. Some women will not experience any symptoms as the process will move slowly through all the necessary changes with out disturbing her life style. Others will find it necessary to seek professional help because of their severity.
Many in the health care industry will misdiagnose some symptoms because they are not familiar with the wide range of affects related to hormone imbalance. I have seen women on a myriad of prescription medications to treat seemingly unrelated symptoms when all they really needed was a bit of hormone replacement therapy. (HRT)
As Geothermal Therapy or non-Thermal Geotherapy Practitioners we can offer several treatment options once it is determined what symptoms are directly affecting your client’s life style. You can tailor a treatment session to specifically address their needs.
As we watch the women of our society step onto the path of aging we must seek methods to support their walk I encourage you to take SWA Board Certified Courses with the intention of better serving the largest segment of our clientele.
Mytakwe Oyasin Jenny Ray
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