Which self-help technique is described as helping decompress the pelvis for dysmenorrhea?

• A. Supine with legs straight
• B. Knee-chest position
• C. Standing forward bend
• D. Side-lying with hip external rotation

Answer: (B)

Decompressing the pelvis to relieve dysmenorrhea relies on a posture that reduces pelvic venous pressure and allows the pelvic floor to relax. The knee-chest position accomplishes this by placing the hips higher than the chest, creating a gentle pelvic tilt and letting gravity assist drainage of pelvic contents. This position also supports easier diaphragmatic breathing and releases tension in the low back and hips, which can lessen cramps. The other options don’t provide the same pelvic decompression: lying supine with legs straight doesn’t elevate the pelvis to relieve congestion; standing forward bends can raise abdominal pressure and tighten the pelvic area; side-lying with hip external rotation changes hip alignment but doesn’t offer the same systemic pelvic decompression as the knee-chest posture.