Endometriosis is an incurable chronic inflammatory disease of the uterus and surrounding tissue that affects 190 million patients worldwide.2 Studies have shown that between 71- 87% of women with chronic pelvic pain have a history of endometriosis, and medical treatments like surgery and hormone therapy are no guarantee their symptoms, particularly pain, will improve.2,5
Traditionally, endometriosis was treated strictly by obstetricians and gynecologists, but more recently it has been thought that a multi-disciplinary approach to the issue could serve patients in a more supportive, long-term fashion.1 Endometriosis is a lifelong condition, therefore patients need to be able to achieve and maintain their goals. With the help of a team of multidisciplinary professionals including mental health professionals, pain management specialists, community support groups, and pelvic floor physical therapists, patients can learn to manage their symptoms.1
Pelvic floor physical therapists focus on treating the musculoskeletal facets of the physical pain patients experience, which is often a contributing factor to their emotional and financial distress. Women with endometriosis are more likely to experience muscle spasms in their pelvic floors, painful sex (dyspareunia), hypertonicity, pain with tampon use or even a gynecological exam.3,4 Painful and tight pelvic floor muscles can put strains on patients’ wellbeing as well as their relationships. When you meet with your therapist, they will talk with you, evaluate your exact needs and determine what treatment options will best accommodate your body and endometrial symptoms. Physical therapy helps patients relieve pain, set & achieve goals, and have a better overall quality of life. Treatment modalities range from myofascial release, manual therapy and stretching, diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and physical exercise, just to name a few.4
If endometriosis has stopped you in your tracks, we are here to help educate and train you to manage your chronic pelvic pain. Our staff provides private one-on-one treatment sessions to give you the focused hands-on care you deserve. We know that endometriosis can affect you in all aspects of time, which is why we’re so passionate about helping you feel the best that you can be.
Call us at (516)304-5373 and let New Dimensions be the physical therapy piece in your endometriosis treatment puzzle.
Sources:
Agarwal, S. K., Foster, W. G., & Groessl, E. J. (2019). Rethinking endometriosis care: applying the chronic care model via a multidisciplinary program for the care of women with endometriosis. International journal of women's health, 11, 405–410. https://doi.org/10.2147/IJWH.S207373
Sarrel, S. (2017). Physical Therapy and Endometriosis: Using Manual Therapy to Assist in Pain Management. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 24(7). doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2017.08.369
dos Bispo, A.P.S., Ploger, C., Loureiro, A.F. et al. Assessment of pelvic floor muscles in women with deep endometriosis. Arch Gynecol Obstet 294, 519–523 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-016-4025-x
Kirkaldy, E., Connan, K., Montgomery, G. W., Saha, S., Poprzeczny, A., Stone, K., … Lichter, M. (2019, June 6). Physio? But I've got endometriosis! Retrieved from https://www.ogmagazine.org.au/21/2-21/physio-but-ive-got-endometriosis/
Stratton, P., Khachikyan, I., Sinaii, N., Ortiz, R., & Shah, J. (2015). Association of Chronic Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis With Signs of Sensitization and Myofascial Pain. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 125(3), 719–728. doi: 10.1097/aog.0000000000000663