Suffering From Endometriosis Pain? Physical Therapy May Be The Solution!
What is endometriosis, and how is pelvic floor physical therapy an effective treatment?
Have you been recently diagnosed with endometriosis? Are you suffering from painful menstrual cycles and aching cramps that won’t go away? Do you experience unexplainable symptoms right before or during your menstrual cycle such as shortness of breath, rectal pain, pain in the legs or back, and/or pain with urinating or passing bowel movements? Endometriosis is a condition in which uterine-lining-like tissue develops outside of the uterus. It may result in problems like infertility, abnormal periods, and pelvic pain. This condition can cause a woman to feel frustrated and challenged at times, especially with pain being so persistent.
Doctors will often recommend pain medications, hormone therapies, and in some cases surgery to help patients find relief. However, medication management masks symptoms rather than treat them head-on.
Pelvic floor physical therapy is a long-term solution that addresses pain and helps to restore functions. While excision surgery can sometimes resolve symptoms, patients will often have lingering pain if they had not seen a pelvic physical therapist prior to surgery. Our physical therapists at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL can treat your symptoms in ways that other interventions may not. They can also help you prepare for surgery or recover after it so that you get the most benefit in managing your symptoms and returning to the things you love.
Call our team at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL to get started!
What is pelvic floor physical therapy?
There are several issues that can occur within the pelvic floor, such as incontinence, chronic pelvic pain, and pelvic organ prolapse. Many women suffer from pelvic floor dysfunction throughout different stages of life such as pregnancy and postpartum. However, other common issues like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can also cause disruptions within the pelvic floor.
Pelvic floor physical therapy can help restore the mobility, strength, and flexibility of the pelvic floor by training muscles how to properly function and relax. This can ultimately reduce and potentially alleviate symptoms of endometriosis such as pain and cramping.
During treatment, your PT will use a variety of therapies, including:
- Education: Your therapist will educate you on how endometriosis causes your symptoms, various strategies to reduce pain, and potential resources that may aid in your treatment goals.
- Diaphragmatic breathing: Your therapist will teach you how to complete diaphragmatic breathing, which can help relax the abdominal and pelvic floor muscles, calm the nervous system, and reduce pain.
- Stretching: Mobility exercises and stretches can help to relax the abdominal, hip, back, and pelvic floor muscles that could be contributing to pain and cramping.
- Electrical stimulation: This tool sends a mild, painless electrical shock to your muscles helping treat muscle spasms and pain.
- Trigger point therapy: Trigger point therapy is a pain management technique where a physical therapist manually releases a tender spot in a muscle that is worsening pain.
- Deep tissue massage: Your therapist may use therapeutic deep tissue massage, in which she applies firm pressure to the deep layers of muscle and fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles.
- Pelvic floor exercises: Your therapist will teach you how to strengthen and relax your pelvic muscles to help support your bladder, bowel, and sexual function.
Other types of therapy include internal physical therapy, yoga or pilates, and joint mobilization.
How does pelvic floor physical therapy help endometriosis?
There are several benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy for women with endometriosis. These include:
Relieves endometriosis pain
Physical therapy helps to re-train pelvic muscles so they’re able to relax and coordinate contractions. This reduces muscle spasms and pelvic pain.
Alleviates abdominal bloating
Women with endometriosis often experience excessive bloating or “endo belly”. This type of distention can occur due to inflammation driven by shedding of endometriosis, leading to pain and tightening of the pelvic floor.
Endometriosis can also cause or worsen constipation or diarrhea. Luckily, pelvic floor physical therapists know how to regulate bowel function and reduce other factors that contribute to excessive bloating.
Reduces painful intercourse
Endometriosis complicates intercourse because it causes uncomfortable tightening of the pelvic floor muscles. A pelvic floor physical therapist can provide exercises that will relax your pelvic muscles and can help make sex less painful.
What to expect during physical therapy
The treatment process always begins with an initial consultation. This is where you and your therapist get the chance to meet each other and build a healthy relationship. Your PT will collect details about your medical history, current symptoms, and other lifestyle factors to gain a better understanding of your condition. It’s important to share how endometriosis is affecting your life so you and your therapist can discuss recovery goals. Then, you will be provided with a unique treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
At Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL we value our patients’ privacy, especially with intimate and sensitive topics. Your sessions will be hosted in a private room, one-on-one with your specialist.
Want to get rid of the pain and achieve a better quality of life? Our team is here with successful, long-term solutions to help you manage symptoms of endometriosis. To set up your first appointment, call us at Vitality Women’s Physical Therapy in IL today!