Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhoea), also yields like magic to the potent pressure of a probe applied to the posterior (back) wall of the pharynx. But the tongue pressures are, in the majority of cases, quite as effective. For pain in the back or thighs, preceding or during menstruation, pressure with the tip of the index finger on the posterior wall of the pharynx on the median line and to the right and left of same, will almost uniformly give relief.
A broad, rough-surfaced tongue depressor (see Fig. [17]) is best for the purpose. But if this is not available, the handle of a large spoon or the handle of a tooth brush may be used.
This should be applied to the tongue three-quarters of the way back and on the median line. The patient’s head should be held rigid, and the lower jaw supported, to the end that stronger pressure can be made. It is well to have the physician or some male member of the family officiate in this, as the patient may not be inclined to use the requisite amount of force.
The pressure should be held firmly for two minutes. Then it should be relaxed and the point of focus changed slightly. Or the instrument may be turned or rotated from side to side, at one minute intervals.
Many patients who are obliged to go to bed for two or three days each month, after a course of this treatment, are completely relieved of all distress. Indeed, some of these hardly knew they were “coming sick.”
It might be added that pressure exerted on the thumb, first and second fingers of both hands helps materially in this work. And one of the most comforting factors in the practice is that patients are usually quite as well the next morning as they are even directly after the most successful treatment.
Occasionally the use of the metal comb on the back of the hand, “combing” thoroly the region of the thumb, first and second fingers as far as to the wrists—has given best results. But the tongue pressures are most uniformly successful.
While I have seldom heard of a miscarriage being induced by these pressures, yet I believe a note of warning should be sounded, cautioning against the use of the tongue pressures, particularly during the early months of pregnancy.
For it is quite conceivable that abortion might follow drastic tongue treatment. It would be far better during these months to depend upon the finger pressures or the comb for treatment of these zones.
Also, if there is a too-profuse and too-frequent menstruation, severe tongue pressures should be avoided. In these conditions gentle stroking on the backs of the hands with a wire hair brush or the teeth of the metal comb has given best results. And this same procedure may be confidently resorted to to prevent threatened abortion.