Physical therapy offers a wealth of options to manage pain and treat symptoms
If you suffer from endometriosis, you know how painful its symptoms can be. What you might not have known is that physical therapy is a fantastic resource for helping to minimize the effects of the condition without the use of painkillers. The physical therapists at Beyond Therapy and Wellness are here to show you all the ways physical therapy can treat endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that occurs when uterine-like tissue grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis can be challenging to discuss, given its association with menstruation, infertility, and sexuality. However, in recent years, more women have been opening up about the realities of living with the condition.
Endometriosis affects around 10% of women of reproductive age. If you’re one of the estimated 190 million women living with the condition, schedule an appointment with Beyond Therapy and Wellness to learn more about how physical therapy can help you manage your symptoms.
The many painful symptoms of endometriosis
Endometriosis comes saddled with a host of symptoms, many of which can feel incredibly private and difficult to discuss. And although the condition is a gynecological one, it can actually affect the entire pelvic floor, including the bowels and urethra, and the associated pain can sometimes spread out of the pelvic area and into the lower back or hips.
Some of the symptoms you might experience with endometriosis include the following:
- Painful and/or heavy periods
- Fatigue or mood changes
- Pain during intercourse
- Pain during bowel movements and/or urination
- In some cases, fertility
The symptoms of endometriosis will often vary based on your menstrual cycle, making them difficult to manage. Fortunately, the pelvic experts at Beyond Therapy and Wellness can provide long-term relief to endometriosis pain–without using pharmaceuticals.
How physical therapy can treat endometriosis
One of the major ways physical therapy treats endometriosis is by treating the pain associated with the condition. Because endometriosis affects the pelvic floor’s bones, ligaments, and muscle tissue, our physical therapists are well-equipped to help you find relief! Here are just some of the treatment options that may be available to you:
- Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening your pelvic floor is a great way to minimize pain over time.
- Myofascial manual therapy: This treatment is a gentle, hands-on technique in which the therapist massages the connective tissue of your muscles (the fascia) to loosen it and help reduce pain.
- Stretching and flexibility exercises: Like pelvic floor exercises, this treatment can help minimize pain.
- Spinal mobilizations: This treatment helps reduce pain, particularly if your endometriosis causes pain in the lower back.
- Relaxation techniques: Deep breathing exercises can ease tension and reduce pain in the back and pelvic area.
The physical therapists at Beyond Therapy and Wellness will work with you to develop a treatment plan that suits your needs. Typically, your plan will involve several treatment options, including exercises and techniques you can use when you have a flare-up. Our goal is to empower you to fight back against the pain and discomfort brought on by endometriosis.
What to expect when you visit Beyond Therapy and Wellness
When you come into your first appointment, our physical therapists will start by providing a safe, private space for you to open up about your symptoms and concerns.
Your initial appointment will also likely include a pelvic floor assessment. This assessment is similar to a pelvic exam at the gynecologist’s office. It helps our physical therapist better understand the stretch of your pelvic floor muscles so they can recommend the best exercises and treatments for your needs.
Our therapist will work with you at subsequent appointments to develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific concerns. We’ll provide treatment in the clinic and guide you through all suggested exercises to ensure you’re doing them correctly.
While it will likely take several appointments before you start to see results, don’t get discouraged. Several studies have looked at the relationship between physical therapy and endometriosis and found that most patients will see a reduction in pain after four to eight weeks of treatment.
Schedule an appointment with Beyond Therapy and Wellness today
Living with endometriosis can be a struggle, but at Beyond Therapy and Wellness, we want to help you find relief. Just because the condition is chronic doesn’t mean you have to suffer needlessly. A wealth of drug-free treatment options are available to you, and the team of experts at Beyond Therapy and Wellness will be delighted to guide you through them all.
