pelvic health physiotherapy help with endometriosis symptoms

Women with endometriosis often have pain in their pelvic area, vulva and lower back. They may also have painful bowel movements, abdominal or back pain and vulvodynia or pudendal neuralgia. These symptoms are caused by a complex combination of factors including muscle tightness, adhesions, nerve impairments and the inflammatory peritoneal insults associated with endometriosis. Pelvic health physiotherapy is an important treatment to address these problems and reduce pain.

Unlike other types of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy East Sheen, pelvic floor physiotherapy is specifically trained to assess and treat the muscles in and around the pelvis. The assessment includes an external observation and movement analysis as well as an internal examination. Depending on the description of your symptoms, this may involve an external vaginal exam or a rectal exam (man and woman). Most people are nervous about the internal examination part of the assessment but you should know that a pelvic therapist is highly trained to make you feel comfortable and confident with this portion of the assessment.

The goal of pelvic health physiotherapy is to release tightness in the pelvic muscles, improve the function of the muscles and nerves that support these muscles, restore elasticity of the tissue and assist women with returning to intercourse without pain. It can also help to improve bowel and bladder function, return women to exercise without flaring up their pelvic conditions and decrease the pain associated with vulvodynia and pudendal neuralgia.

Can pelvic health physiotherapy help with endometriosis symptoms?

While pelvic health physiotherapy is not necessary for everyone with endometriosis, anyone with abdominal, pelvic or back pain should see a specialized pelvic physiotherapist. It is important to find a specialist that is a ‘Continence and Women’s Health’ physiotherapist rather than a general or sports physiotherapist. This title is awarded by the Australian Physiotherapy Association and indicates that they have specialized training in treating these conditions.

A key component of the treatment involves hands-on manual techniques and therapeutic exercises to help relieve pain, improve flexibility and increase the ability of the muscles to relax. It can also include the use of electrotherapy that has an analgesic and hyperemic effect, such as interferential current or transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Some other treatments include stretching to help with posture and alignment as well as incorporating breathing techniques into the session. This will help to improve blood flow, which in turn can decrease inflammation. It is important that you participate in your own treatment as it is a partnership between yourself and your physical therapist.

During the appointment, you will be escorted into a private room where your physiotherapist will ask you to describe the severity of your symptoms and discuss how long you have been experiencing them. Your therapist will then do an external examination of the pelvic area, including the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints and the soft tissue. You will then be asked to perform a series of exercises, including the kegels. These are done with your eyes closed and will be guided by the therapist to ensure you are performing them correctly.