Many women with endometriosis are able to become pregnant through conventional treatment methods such as laparoscopic surgery, IUI, and IVF. Other women who do not have success with conventional treatment methods or who are uncomfortable with these options turn to alternative therapies and become pregnant.
But what if you have tried both and have still not experienced success? It may be time to try using conventional and alternative methods in conjunction with each other. Although conventional medicine and alternative therapies often present themselves as mutually exclusive, the combination of the two types of medicine can bring great success.
Endometriosis (the purple cells) and their adhesive attachments (white bands) can lead to infertility
At Clear Passage Therapies (CPT), we strive to prepare the entire body for a pregnancy by addressing mechanical components that may block fallopian tubes, restrict the uterus, and impair hormonal infertility. Our treatment has helped numerous women become pregnant naturally, in addition to preparing over 75 women for successful IVF transfers.
Our treatment for endometriosis works by focusing on the adhesions that form at and around endometrial implants. Adhesions can impair fertility by constricting, blanketing, and pulling on the sensitive female reproductive structures. Adhesions can also pull on the ligaments of the uterus, causing uterine spasm. If a woman undergoes an IVF procedure, the embryo may not successfully implant because of adhesions or the resulting uterine spasm. Similarly, a woman who undergoes laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis may still be unable to conceive afterward because of adhesions present within the reproductive tracts or its ligaments. Because the female reproductive structures can be so delicate, it can be very difficult for a surgeon to remove adhesions from them without compromising the function of those organs.
CPT physical therapists use manual physical therapy techniques to gently break apart the adhesions in and around the reproductive system. The techniques have been shown to help women become pregnant or later have a successful IVF transfer.
One such woman was Samantha, a woman who came to our clinic after several unsuccessful IUIs and two unsuccessful IVF transfers. When Samantha came to CPT, she didn’t know the cause of her infertility. Her therapist examined her and felt that she had the characteristic scarring, tightness, and restriction of a woman with endometriosis. The therapist worked to restore proper mobility and reduce adhesions in her pelvis.
After treatment, Samantha spoke with her doctor and decided to undergo diagnostic surgery for endometriosis. As it turned out, her physical therapist was correct: Samantha was diagnosed with endometriosis. After the procedure, Samantha underwent a fresh IVF transfer and became pregnant right away with twins. Two years after her twins birth, Samantha and her husband tried another round of IVF. They were disappointed when it didn’t work, but were then caught by surprise when Samantha learned she was pregnant naturally.
Samantha reported that she couldn’t attribute the success of her IVF transfer or pregnancy to just one treatment form. For her, it was the combination of conventional medicine and alternative therapies that helped. She told us, “It’s hard to say which treatment ‘worked’ for me. I think a large part of my success was learning to relax. My treatment at Clear Passage enabled me to become more familiar with my body and calm down. I know their treatment helped to restore balance in my body and mind, preparing me for my transfers and natural birth.”
Samantha’s full story, told in her own words, will be featured in our upcoming book Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain. Miracle Moms contains over 17 chapters and discusses how manual physical therapy can be used exclusively or in combination with other conventional treatment options. Please visit our website to learn more about our treatment for endometriosis, female infertility, and IVF transfers.
