Build the Blood

by Meredith Nathan, LMT, Pulling Down the Moon Massage Director, creator of the Fertility Enhancing Massage Protocol

Earlier this month we discussed how vital proper pelvic circulation is to reproductive health. So vital in fact that Traditional Chinese Medicine identified multiple infertility-related diagnoses regarding improper blood quantities and movement thousands of years ago (and they still remain true today). The circulation can become compromised in our body due to lack of movement, the wrong types of movement, diet, lack of helpful self-care, and stress.

Let’s look more closely at this concept of stress depleting blood flow. When we tense our muscles, slump our shoulders, shorten our breath, or clench our abdomen, pressure is exerted on the belly, restricting its movement. More intense levels of stress signals the body to redirect the blood from the abdomen to the legs, an ancient response that aids us in running from danger. Poor circulation can create adhesions and rigidity in our tissue and organs, which in turn blocks blood flow, which creates larger stagnation, leaving us more prone to injuries and scar tissue, which restrict blood flow, and around and around we go.

So how do we encourage healthy blood flow throughout our body, and especially in the pelvic organs? A nutrient dense diet rich in protein, iron, amino acids, fruits, and vegetables; applying heat on the muscles and abdomen, using an abdominal wrap, stretching, femoral massage; and gentle exercise are some of our best blood building buddies. Incorporating Fertility Enhancing Massage can go a long way towards improving reproductive blood flow, energy, qi, and healing! Try an Introduction to Fertility Massage today! 
 
A word to the wise regarding picking your exercise program: when it comes to your fertility goals, not all workouts are created equal. A no-pain-no-gain mentality can be devastating to a potential pregnancy: the stress hormones high-intensity exercise creates can throw your hormones out of whack, not to mention most forms of cardio will send blood into your limbs, effectively ‘stealing’ it from your abdomen. Focusing on gentle forms of exercise for your fertility, like walking, swimming, and Yoga for Fertility can help relieve stress, get the blood moving, and can actually benefit your fertility blood flow as you go! Join the specialized, research based Yoga for Fertility Series Online or in Chicago today!