In endometriosis, which affects up to 15% of all women between puberty and menopause, a type of tissue called endometrium grows abnormally in various body areas, thus disrupting the normal tissue in these regions. While endometrium has an important function in the uterus, forming its lining, when found elsewhere it can cause unpleasant and even debilitating symptoms.
Endometriosis most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and digestive organs. It typically causes pelvic pain, felt as either a tightening or stabbing sensation, that often gets worse during urination, sex, and especially menstruation. The inflammation associated with endometriosis may push against the muscles of the pelvic floor or cause them to become overactive, exacerbating the pain.
This does mean, however, that treating the resultant pelvic floor issues is an effective first step in alleviating or even completely relieving many of the other symptoms of endometriosis. And pelvic floor physical therapy is both very helpful for a myriad of issues in and around the pelvis and safe to use long-term as required. At JAG PT, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania’s local source for multispecialty physical therapy, one of our goals is to make the latest and most effective techniques in pelvic floor therapy available to our patients who urgently need this treatment. Schedule an appointment with us today to get started on the road to pelvic pain relief, or read more below on how pelvic floor therapy works on endometriosis.
What Is Pelvic Floor Therapy and How Can It Help with Endometriosis?
Pelvic floor therapy is the branch of physical therapy that deals with the complex muscles and other structures found on the bottom of the pelvis. Since the pelvic floor supports the reproductive system, treatment for this area can be an important step in alleviating the symptoms of endometriosis, which after all involves abnormal growth of uterine tissue. By relieving weakness, tension, or other issues in the pelvic floor muscles, pelvic PT can help any of the body systems located in the pelvic region function better.
In the course of pelvic floor therapy, a PT may use modalities from general physical therapy, such as manual therapy and guided exercise. However, they may also emphasize the use of methods that are specifically appropriate for the pelvic floor muscles, such as biofeedback and relaxation techniques. The pelvic floor plays a major role in many bodily functions that are considered intimate or even embarrassing, like waste elimination, intercourse, and menstruation. Building awareness of the pelvic region and recognizing abnormal sensations is one of the first goals of pelvic floor therapy, and one of the first steps to lasting relief.
What Are the Most Effective Exercises for Endometriosis Pain?
Generally, pelvic floor therapy will include exercises that equally emphasize flexibility and strengthening. However, for endometriosis in particular, the most important goals for exercise will be lower body posture and core stability. The best techniques for reducing endometriosis pain involve slow and measured movements that do not cause discomfort.
A major exercise that patients with endometriosis are typically directed to use is diaphragmatic breathing, which consciously engages the thoracic diaphragm and monitors it with hand placement in order to achieve controlled deep breaths. This is a foundational exercise because it reduces tension in the entire core, including the pelvic floor, and supports nervous system regulation through proper respiration.
Other main exercises are performed in a relaxed, laying position. These include supine pelvic tilts to gradually mobilize the lower spine and pelvic floor, and a supported version of the child’s pose from yoga, which lengthens the muscles and tendons of the pelvis, thus combating tightness and inflammation. Ultimately, however, the best exercises to use for endometriosis will be quite individualized. Chronic conditions like endometriosis manifest in subtly different ways for everyone, so your therapist will make a custom recommendation for your exercise plan after assessing you.
Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Replace Medications or Surgery?
Endometriosis cannot be cured with any methods currently available. However, it can thankfully be managed using combinations of treatments. The key is that more invasive treatments are appropriate for more severe acute problems. Meanwhile, lower-level but still painful and limiting day-to-day symptoms can be conservatively dealt with using pelvic floor therapy, which can mean better outcomes over a longer period of time. And physical therapy is well-suited to tackle the musculoskeletal contributors to endometriosis pain in particular.
Ultimately, if you are prescribed medication for endometriosis, and you continue to take it alongside getting pelvic floor therapy, you’ll get a much better level of symptom relief than with either treatment alone. Some younger patients with severe cases of endometriosis need surgery to remove endometriotic tissue, and can especially benefit from pre- and post-operative PT care.
When Should You Consider Seeing a Pelvic Floor Therapist?
Pelvic floor dysfunction, which may be associated with endometriosis or another diagnosis, can have a number of symptoms that indicate you should expediently get treatment. In the case of endometriosis specifically, abnormally heavy and painful periods is a major example. Extreme urinary urgency, incontinence, bladder aches, and pain during or after intercourse may also come from either endometriosis or another pelvic health condition.
Since all of these symptoms can badly interfere with daily life, early intervention is key – you shouldn’t have to wait for relief. And if you have gotten pelvic imaging and your physician has told you that you are not a good candidate for surgery, pelvic floor physical therapy can still offer a great deal of help.
Manage Endometriosis Pain with Personalized Pelvic Floor Therapy at JAG PT
The skilled pelvic floor therapists at JAG PT are here to empathetically and effectively treat your health conditions while keeping your unique lifestyle in mind. No matter how persistent your discomfort or pain or how much it affects your life, our supportive, individualized approach can help you. Book an appointment today to start a program of minimally invasive endometriosis relief.