Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects millions of women worldwide, characterized by the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, which can lead to severe pain and infertility.
Traditional treatments have included medication, hormonal therapy, and surgery, but recent advances have highlighted the potential benefits of pelvic floor physiotherapy in managing and alleviating the symptoms associated with endometriosis.
At Proremedy Physiotherapy in Mississauga, we can help you attain long-term improvement of the condition by methods of physiotherapy in the area of the pelvic floor. Our qualified physiotherapists are well-versed in the most modern techniques of reducing pelvic pain and improving muscle functionality, which consequently leads to augmentation of your health condition.
We design an individual plan considering your needs, and this plan is made available to you to help you develop the skills and get the support you may need to live effectively with your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis and its involvement in pelvic pain are closely interrelated and can occur either in a short or long-term manner. This pain mostly results from the inflammatory response caused by the ectopic endometrial tissue formation resulting in the formation of scar tissue and adhesions.
In this case, the pelvic floor function plays an important role, as it may tighten in response to pain and thus contribute to involuntary muscle contractions and exacerbation of pain, as is frequently observed in women with endometriosis.
The Role of the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is a complicated network of muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that are responsible for maintaining the position of the pelvic organs. In patients with endometriosis, the pelvic floor muscles tend to be in a constant state of tension, which is often caused by the pain as well as the subsequent consequences of it, e.g., urinary urgency, frequency, and pain during intercourse.
Can Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Treat Endometriosis?
Yes, Pelvic floor physiotherapy can indeed be a suitable option to control symptoms of endometriosis. This is a specialized form of physical therapy that focuses on the improvement of strength and muscular function of the pelvic floor which is usually in pain and gets very tense due to endometriosis.
The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Therapy for Endometriosis
Better Pain Control for Painful Periods and Bowel Movements
Pelvic floor physiotherapy involves a series of manual therapy techniques that help relieve common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, such as painful periods and painful bowel movements. Pelvic health physiotherapists treatment of movement patterns of pelvic muscles and internal organs provides effective pain relief in patients, helping them live a normal life with endometriosis.
Enhanced Daily and Sexual Function
Pelvic floor-focused physical therapy can decrease the discomfort with sexual intercourse, a common and often major concern in patients with endometriosis. The quality of intimate and daily activities is greatly improved once the patient can return to improved muscle function with specific exercise and manual therapy interventions.
Chronic Pelvic Pain Decrease with Manual Therapies
Pelvic manual therapy applied by pelvic health physiotherapists helps alleviate tension and decrease chronic pelvic pain. It is a treatment approach that produces an outcome by regulating the direct signs and symptoms of endometriosis and any associated issue of pelvic floor dysfunction, leading to a better position of general pelvic health.
Individualized Therapeutic Exercises for Strengthening the Pelvic Muscles
A physiotherapist skilled in pelvic health issues can design muscle-strengthening exercises that are focused on tightening the pelvic floor muscles. It can decrease the abnormal movement patterns that result in pain and increase the firmness and robustness of the muscles in the pelvic region.
Learning and Self-Management Strategies
Furthermore, pelvic physiotherapists should educate patients on prevalent conditions, and how to deal with the most frequent ones. Similarly, the importance of physiology understanding for endometriosis and pelvic floor dysfunction and the obtaining of some self-management techniques to help the patient relieve the symptoms cannot be emphasized enough.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy Exercises for Endometriosis
In particular, Kegel exercises would be highly recommended for women with endometriosis. In general, they help strengthen the underparts, especially the muscles of the pelvic floor supporting the uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum.
Stronger pelvic floor muscles might just be what you need to cope better with some of the discomfort caused by endometriosis, like pelvic pain or pain during intercourse. Here below are endometriosis physical therapy exercises:
Basic Kegels
To perform a basic Kegel exercise:
- Find the right muscles by trying to stop urination mid-flow. The muscles used for this action are your target.
- Contract these muscles for a slow count of five, then relax for a slow count of five.
- Aim for three sets of ten repetitions each day.
Bridge Pose
The bridge pose is a gentle way to strengthen the pelvic floor and lower back:
- Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor, hip-width apart.
- Press your feet onto the floor, inhale, and lift your hips toward the ceiling.
- Hold this position for a count of ten, then slowly lower your hips back to the floor.
- Repeat ten times.
Wall Squats
Wall SquatsWall squats strengthen the pelvic floor and thigh muscles:
- Stand with your back against a wall, feet shoulder-width apart.
- Slide down the wall into a squat position so your knees are bent at a 90-degree angle.
- Hold this position for ten to thirty seconds while contracting your pelvic floor muscles.
- Stand back up and rest for ten seconds.
- Repeat this exercise five times.
Butterfly Stretch
Butterfly StretchThis stretch helps relax the pelvic floor muscles:
- Sit on the floor with your back straight and the soles of your feet pressed together.
- Hold your feet with your hands and gently press your knees down toward the floor.
- Maintain this position for one to five minutes, focusing on relaxing your pelvic muscles.
Pelvic Tilt
Pelvic tilts can help manage pelvic pain by strengthening and stretching the pelvic floor:
- Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- Tighten your abdominal muscles and tilt your pelvis towards your head. Flatten the small of your back against the floor.
- Hold for a count of five, then relax.
- Repeat this exercise ten times.
Deep Belly Breathing
Deep Belly BreathingDeep belly breathing promotes relaxation and pain relief:
- Sit or lie comfortably and place one hand on your belly
- Breathe deeply through your nose, letting your belly push your hand out.
- Exhale through pursed lips, tightening your pelvic floor muscles as if you are trying to stop a flow of urine.
- Repeat for five minutes daily.
Summing It!
Final words, the role of pelvic floor physiotherapy in the treatment of endometriosis and related conditions is very important. It mainly improves the patient’s outcome once it is used either as a stand-alone therapy or collaborative intervention with other health professionals.
It does this by increasing pelvic floor muscle activity thereby eliminating problems on a day-to-day basis like pain during intercourse, abdominal pain during her period, and spasms during menses.
