Conditions Treated

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common but poorly understood disease. It is estimated that endometriosis affects 5 to 6 million women in the US of childbearing age. Some women with endometriosis have severe pelvic or intercourse pain. Endometriosis is also associated with infertility and other conditions, such as poor digestion, irritable bowel and wide-ranging pain symptoms.

Endometriosis refers to a condition in which endometrial tissue (which normally lines the uterus) is found in other areas of the body. It often appears on or near the reproductive organs, or within the abdominal cavity. When it appears, it causes inflammation and adhesions.

Endometriosis can cause abdominal, pelvic or low back pain or dysfunction, including infertility due to the adhesions which form as part of the healing process. Pain tends to become chronic, unless these adhesions are removed or their bonds broken. Because of the viscero-somatic reflex (motor neurons located in the central nervous system), endometriosis can cause musculoskeletal impairments.

Manual physical therapy cannot prevent the proliferation of endometrial tissue, but can significantly decrease the adhesions and accompanying spasms and pain.

Dysmenorrhea (chronic, severe menstrual pain and/or cramps)

Many women who suffer with menstrual pain have a history of multiple falls onto the hip, back, or tailbone region (e.g. gymnastics or ballet) trauma, or have had one or more abdominal or pelvic surgeries earlier in their lives.

Lower back, sacroiliac, tailbone; hip and pelvic joint limitations and pain can cause increased menstrual pain and cramps. This occurs due to resulting pelvic floor and surrounding pelvic muscle spasms and abnormal pull on the pelvic cavity and organs.

Pre-menstrual pain occurs at the very beginning of menstrual flow or it can begin the day before and not disappear until the flow is well established. This type of pan is usually related to fluid or venous congestion of the genital region from hormonal imbalances. It can also be due to intestinal spasms.

Intermenstrual pain appears in the middle of the period, becomes intense near the end, and disappears when blood flow stops. This type of pain can occur with endometriosis or with problems of the uterine attachments, or ptosis.

Postmenstrual pain starts at the end of the flow and may last one or a few days. It may also be secondary to endometriosis, infections or lower back dysfunctions. Symptoms include years of severe pain with menstruation, or ovulation, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, low back, sacroiliac, and/or hip pain, and inability to sit for even short periods of time.