By Jackie
Endometriosis, a condition in which endometrial tissue is located in areas outside of the uterus, causes severe pain for many women. Common complaints include painful intercourse, painful periods, pelvic pain, and pain with urination and bowel movements.
In Western Medicine, the most common treatments for endometriosis are medications and laparoscopic surgery. But what can a woman due if she is not interested or satisfied with these methods? Some endometriosis studies suggest that changes in environment, diet, and exercise can help reduce endometriosis.
At CPT, we believe these natural changes can be very beneficial; but we also feel there is a very important component that needs to be addressed – adhesions. When endometrial tissue is found in areas outside of the uterus, it still responds to hormones. That means it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds each month. Because the tissue has nowhere to go, the trapped blood can irritate surrounding tissue and trigger inflammation that leads to scarring and adhesions. The adhesions and scar tissue can bind tissues and organs together, causing severe pain. If you would like to see an interactive video that explains this process, see http://www.endocenter.org/endoflash_highspeed.htm
In laparoscopic surgery, surgeons use a laparoscope to burn these adhesions apart. Although this removes the adhesions, the process of surgery itself causes more adhesions to form. Women may be pain-free for six months or a year, but many find themselves in pain once again.
Our physical therapists use manual techniques to slowly deform and detach the adhesions so that tissues and organs are once again mobile and functional. Patients often find that intercourse is no longer painful, they can have a bowel movement without pain, or they are finally able to become pregnant. Read some of our patient testimonials about endometriosis pain and learn more about how our treatment resolves endometriosis pain.
