How physical therapy can treat endometriosis

Endometriosis affects approximately 176 million women around the world. Often times, because it can be silent with no symptoms, it is left untreated until the condition worsens. Because of this, it can lead to infertility in women.

Building awareness about the disease and its symptoms, as well as treatment options, can help reduce its devastating affects for millions of women.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when tissue found lining the uterus grows elsewhere within the pelvic cavity, such as on the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. It can also be found on the pelvic side-wall, as well as on the bladder and on the bowel.

source

What are symptoms of the disease?

Symptoms of the disease can be sneaky – for instance, many women will associate the pelvic pain with their menstrual cycle and not think anything of it.

Other times, they will experience pain outside of their cycle, which can also lead to urinalysis frequency, constipation and urinary incontinence. For many, this pain can be debilitating that makes it hard for women to live their normal lives.

In addition, endometriosis can lead to adhesions and scar tissue, both of which can change the internal anatomy of a woman. Because of this, nearly 40% of women with endometriosis may not be able to have children.

How can physical therapy help?

To properly treat endometriosis, it must be managed over time. Physical therapy serves as one piece of the treatment puzzle. For instance, myofascial release can break up the scar tissue caused by endometriosis.

Physical therapy can also help to treat other symptoms, like urinary incontinence and constipation.

If you think you may have endometriosis, the best course of action is to consult your medical doctor, who can diagnose you with the disease and begin treatment. In addition to physical therapy, treatment typically includes birth control, pregnancy or a hysterectomy.