People who struggle with endometriosis know how painful and intrusive this condition can be. Luckily, there are effective and accessible treatment options available that may improve symptoms for some patients, including pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis relief.
Before digging into treating endometriosis, it is important to understand what the symptoms and challenges of the condition include.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition associated with the buildup of abnormal tissue outside the uterus. The most common symptom is pelvic pain, often associated with menstruation.
These buildups are made of tissue similar to the type that lines the uterus, which typically thickens and then leaves the body during a menstrual period. For endometriosis sufferers, this tissue can thicken, but remains trapped in areas where it has no way to be shed.
This can lead to uncomfortable endometriosis symptoms including heavy bleeding and difficult menstrual periods, painful sex or elimination, and overall discomfort in the pelvic and lower trunk region. Fertility problems are also common.
The National Library of Medicine discusses the impact of endometriosis-related adhesions on quality of life among infertile women.
In some cases, endometriosis symptoms may improve on their own. In most cases however, intervention is needed.
How is endometriosis treated?
Some endometriosis patients find relief by using pain medication and hormone therapies. Surgeries to remove extra tissue outside the uterus may also be necessary for some patients.
Another option is pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis sufferers.
Scientific statistics vary, however a notable percentage of endometriosis patients undergoing laparoscopic procedures are found to have pelvic adhesions due to the growth of endometrial tissue in the pelvis.
Pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis management targets these adhesions, gently stretching and resolving them. While these adhesions can lead to pain, reduced mobility, and decreased function, resolving them can allow the muscles, organs, and connective tissues involved to move normally again.
3 reasons to seek pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis relief
Reason 1: If you are experiencing pelvic, abdominal, or back pain and suffer from endometriosis. These aches and pains aren’t run-of-the-mill, but rather can indicate adhesions throughout the pelvis.
Reason 2: If you are experiencing painful sex, constipation, pain when urinating, or heavy and painful periods and suffer from endometriosis. With or without general pelvic, abdominal and back pain, these symptoms can also indicate a growth of tissue in places it shouldn’t be, and adhesions causing reduced function.
Reason 3: If any of the symptoms listed above are causing a disruption to your day-to-day activities. These may include limiting your ability to exercise, your sexual function, or enjoyment of recreational activities.
If you are diagnosed with endometriosis and said “YES, THAT’S ME” when reading any of these reasons, pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis relief can be a valuable part of your treatment. If you reacted positively to all 3 reasons, it’s time to make a call and see if pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis will bring you relief and more normal function.
What to expect from pelvic floor physical therapy for endometriosis treatment
You and your practitioner will begin by discussing your medical history and goals. Treatment will include gentle, hands-on techniques in-office to help resolve adhesions. At-home treatment may include stretches and breathing exercises to help calm the body and improve function of the pelvic floor.
Body Restoration Physical Therapy treats endometriosis and associated conditions of the pelvic floor
At Body Restoration Physical Therapy, we specialize in treating conditions of the pelvic floor and the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release technique. This effective, hands-on technique helps to resolve adhesions throughout the body, release tension, and improve the tone and function of the body.
Contact Body Restoration Physical Therapy of Roslyn Heights, New York to learn more.