Crampy? Rub your belly.

If you are tired of searching for relief in pill bottles and waiting...for what seems an eternity...for those meds kick in, try these easy massage techniques for pain relief without the wait.

Use a skin-safe food oil or blended body oil for a smoother, more nourishing massage.  

+ With both hands together and gentle pressure, use fingertips to trace small circles around your belly button in a clockwise direction.
Slowly increase the size of your circle until you cover your entire abdomen.

+  Place both palms on abdomen with fingers facing down and thumbs touching just above the belly button.  
Apply slight pressure with fingers and slowly trace the shape of a heart, drawing straight up towards the belly button, then around and down to the starting position.
Continue for about one minute.

+  Place your hands on your back, just above your hips. 
With steady pressure, use your fingertips to massage small circles starting in the middle of your back and working out towards your sides.

Try these and other simple massage techniques as needed for relief from menstrual cramps and lower back discomfort.  Also try relaxing in a soothing Mineral Mud Bath...

For more information and additional massage techniques, visit these sources:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16418559
http://balance-holistics.blogspot.com/2008/09/abdominal-massage-for-menstrual-cramps.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/134764-pressure-points-relieve-menstrual-cramps/
http://www.ehow.com/how_4486215_relieve-menstrual-cramps-massage.html