Learning to do some of the following relaxation techniques may help you to deal more effectively with the stress that comes along with having to deal with adenomyosis. I have added my own comments about which techniques worked for me during the time I was suffering from this disorder. Some of the techniques work better than others for different people, so just try them out and see which ones work best for you.
1. Meditation
2. Visualization – when I was overly stressed, I would shut my eyes, focus on relaxing and picture myself on a beautiful white sandy beach, and the ocean was clear blue. I would listen to the sounds of the waves crashing on the shore, feel the breeze on my face, and feel the sun beat down on me. I was the only one there, so no other sounds were heard except for the waves and an occasional sea gull calling. This was very effective in calming me down. You can picture any setting – just think about whatever place you would want to be at that particular moment.
3. Deep breathing – I used this technique when I was in the middle of an attack. I would concentrate completely on taking deep breaths, and I think this actually kept me from passing out! But it also helps tremendously in calming yourself down.
4. Chamomile tea – in addition to the presence of phytoestrogens, chamomile has been shown to be a great relaxant herb.
5. Observe your surroundings – on nice sunny days, I make it a point to go outside and just look. Look at the trees, flowers, birds in the air. The world is a beautiful place if you take the time to just look.
6. Social interaction and physical contact – spending time with others is a wonderful way to raise your spirits. Physical contact doesn’t even have to be with another person – just petting your dog or cat has been shown to reduce stress levels.
7. Classical music – research has shown that listening to 30 minutes of classical music has the relaxation effect of 10 mg. Valium.
8. Think positive – a great idea that came from my counselor is a gratitude journal. Think of 5 things that you are thankful for everyday and write them down in a journal every morning. A great way to start your day!
9. Progressive muscle relaxation – I do this in bed at night as I’m falling asleep. Focus on one muscle group at a time. Tighten that muscle and then relax. Move on to the next muscle group. The thing that shocked me about this technique is that it made me very aware of how tense I was without realizing it. My shoulders and face muscles were already tight – I just had to focus on relaxing them!
10. Yoga/tai chi – yoga is a well known technique used to reduce stress and anxiety. It improves overall fitness and health, lowers blood pressure and improves heart function. Tai Chi is also know as “meditation in motion”. In addition to its ability to reduce stress and anxiety, it has been shown to help with many different medical problems such as heart issues and arthritis.
11. Acupuncture – this technique has been shown to reduce pain and nausea. It may be a useful tool for those who do not want to rely on pain medications for pain relief.
12. Soak in a warm tub
13. Use a heating pad on your abdomen
TENS
Tens, or trascutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, is a technique used to treat chronic pain by using electrical impulses to stimulate nerves. Although studies on its effectiveness are conflicting, it is generally accepted as a somewhat effective way to treat chronic pain.
TENS is often confused with EMS. EMS, or electrical muscle stimulation, stimulates nerves whereas TENS actually blocks nerve pain signals.
TENS has been shown to help all kinds of chronic pain, but most importantly for purposes of this website, it has been shown to help with dysmenorrhea (painful periods).
When using a TENS unit, make sure to read all directions and warnings. Skin irritation can possibly result from use. Also, its use is contraindicated if you are pregnant or if you have a pacemaker.
Adenomyosis Fighters 