How Physio can help with Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that occurs when tissue similar to that which lines the inside of the uterus, is found in other areas outside the uterus. As the tissue is normally found inside the uterus, it responds to hormones released by the ovaries, causing bleeding. This can lead to inflammation and scarring which can cause significant pain and lead to prolonged or chronic pain. Endometriosis is common, and affects more than 830,000 people in Australia. Common symptoms include pain on or around ovulation, pain with sexual activity/bowel movements/urination, pain in your pelvic region/lower back and heavy bleeding/irregular bleeding. Currently there is no known cause or cure for Endometriosis, but there are multiple treatment options to help with pain and symptom management. Treatment involves the help from a variety of healthcare professionals including your GP and Gynaecologist helping with medical or surgical treatments to manage your symptoms (bleeding/hormones/pain) as well as Physiotherapy treatment to help with pain/symptom management.

So how can Physiotherapy help with Endometriosis?

Commonly with Endometriosis/chronic pelvic pain it is found that the pelvic floor muscles as well as the nervous system become overly sensitive, which can lead to an increase pain. This is where having an assessment with a Physio where a detailed history and examination will be taken, to help us work with you to reduce the sensitivity and/or overactivity within your pelvic region. There is not one specific treatment that is used for everyone, but instead a range of treatment options are provided to help manage your pain.

Treatment options can include, but are not limited to:

• Education
• Deep Breathing/Mindful Relaxation/Meditation
• Exercise
• Heat Therapy
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Activation and/or Relaxation
• Pelvic Stretching

So how can each of the following treatment options help?

• Education: Understanding what is your pelvic floor, how it functions as well understanding what increased nerve sensitivity means can help with decreasing pain and improve relaxation.
• Deep Breathing/Mindful Relaxation/Meditation: Breathing exercises can play a big role in relaxation of the nervous system and help improve the relaxation of your pelvic floor muscles.
• Exercise: There are many potential benefits from exercising. Exercise can help with inflammation, improve fatigue, help with pain relief as well as help with mobility around your pelvic region. Yes, certain activities can trigger your pain or cause a flare up, but working with a Physio we can help set goals and create a plan to get you back exercising without causing pain flare ups.
• Heat Therapy: Helps with symptom management, aiding relaxation of both the body (muscles/nervous system) as well as the mind as well.
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Activation and/or Relaxation: By improving your ability to contract and relax your pelvic floor muscles this will help reduce overactivity and improve pain.
• Pelvic Stretching: Improving mobility/flexibility around the pelvis/pelvic region aids with relaxation of the muscles in your abdomen/spine/hips which can help reduce pain and allow your pelvic floor to relax further as well.

If you have experienced symptoms that fit some of those listed above, get in contact with one of the physiotherapists from our team at Instinct Health and find out how an assessment might get you back on track again.