Physiotherapy Solutions for Endometriosis: Addressing Pain Beyond Medical Management and Surgery

Physiotherapy Solutions for Endometriosis: Addressing Pain Beyond Medical Management and Surgery

Many people believe that medical management or surgery is the only way to treat endometriosis. However, the pain associated with endometriosis can affect various aspects of your body, including the nervous system, muscles, soft tissues, energy levels, mental health, sexual function, ability to exercise, and bladder and bowel habits. Endometriosis is a complex condition that requires careful evaluation, personalised treatment, and ongoing support to improve pelvic health, pain, and overall well-being.

In the presence of inflammation, adhesions, and scar tissue, the nervous system can become highly sensitised, leading to severe pain. The tissues throughout the pelvic region can also become very sensitive. Changes in behavior, such as avoiding social activities or exercise due to fear of worsening pain, and the stress and emotional strain of seeking a diagnosis while coping with persistent pain can all contribute to increased pain levels. Physiotherapy aims to address these physical implications of pain by reducing muscle tone, tension, altered bladder and bowel habits, and pelvic and lower back stiffness, all of which can exacerbate pain.

Treatment options vary between patients, as everyone's experience with pain is unique. Physiotherapy is not and cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. At Salveo Physiotherapy, we provide a safe and comfortable space where you can share your story and feel heard. This is especially important after potentially years of having your symptoms ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. Being able to express yourself fully can be incredibly healing.

Physiotherapy for endometriosis includes hands-on treatments to move, loosen, desensitise (reduce pain), and reintroduce ‘safe touch’ to the soft tissues, joints, and muscles. Educating women about pain and its management is essential. By helping them understand their pain and its links to their own experiences, we can empower them to manage their pain more successfully.

Exercise is crucial for increasing movement and improving breathing and diaphragm movement patterns. Relaxation techniques and appropriate and effective core strength training can prevent excess tension in the back and pelvic muscles. Many women with persistent pain adopt protective postures and unhealthy breathing patterns, which can worsen pain. Addressing these issues can help alleviate pain in these areas.

Pain can also significantly affect Bladder and bowel habits, and symptoms may vary. Your physiotherapist will take a detailed history and consider your overall symptoms and lifestyle to determine the best treatment strategies for you. This may include manual treatment for pelvic floor muscle release, dietary advice, ergonomic adjustments, lifestyle strategies, and pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy.

Where surgery has been necessary – physiotherapy can be so useful in the management of post-operative pain but also in addressing all of the above issues as removal of endometrial tissue won’t have resolved the problems discussed above and Physiotherapy will still be necessary. 

For women experiencing pain during sex, various techniques, products, and advice are available to help. During a detailed consultation, we will establish what is important to you before discussing options that you are comfortable with.

You never need to suffer in silence – help is available to you at Salveo Physiotherapy.