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Can physical therapy help with endometriosis? The short answer: Yes, physical therapy can help with the symptoms of endometriosis. PT cannot treat the cause of endometriosis.
As a refresher from our last post, some symptoms include:
Pain:
Dysmenorrhea - painful periods
Dyspareunia - pain with sex
Pelvic pain, low back pain, abdominal pain
Cyclical AND non-cyclical (IE - both changing with the menstrual cycle and regardless of the cycle).
Pain with using the bathroom
Some do get relief of general pelvic pain after bowel movement.
What does physical therapy do to address these symptoms?
Even with medical management and surgery, symptoms of endometriosis can persist.
Pain with a bowel movement, pain with sex, and general back and pelvic pain can ALL be addressed with PT. While endo is likely the underlying cause of the inflammation, the symptoms develop because of issues with the muscle that "don't care" where the inflammation is coming from. Muscles get tight and sometimes will remain tight. PT can help by addressing:
Visceral mobility: how your organs can move within your abdomen (generally, if things are tight, they don't feel good).
Ability of deep core muscles to contract and coordinate. Pain will inhibit these muscles, specific exercises can help you use them again.
How your body manages interabdominal pressure. Your core muscles work together to keep a fairly consistent pressure inside your abdomen (important for organs functioning!). If there is a lack of coordination or a weakness in some of these muscles, it can cause certain things to overwork.
Addressing learned habits and patterns that aren't serving you anymore. Things like avoiding drinking water so you don't have to use the bathroom isn't going to help with healing! PTs know the questions to ask to make sure you are working optimally.
Exercise instruction and prescription. I've seen lots of patient who were limited in ability to exercise due to symptoms from endo. Having a knowledgeable guide to help them return to activity is very helpful - especially to avoid getting hurt!
Looking for more resources on treatments for endometriosis? Check out Nancy's Nook.
References
About the author: Dr. Caitlyn Hauswirth-Varis, PT, DPT, OCS, CFMT, CF-L1
Caitlyn is board certified as an orthopedic specialist and an expert in pelvic floor physical therapy. She has extensive training in pelvic health and visceral evaluation and treatment, and has worked with countless individuals with symptoms related to endometriosis.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance.
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