Discover 5 ways osteopathy manages endometriosis symptoms

It’s common to think of seeing an osteopath after a sports injury or stress that’s built up at work, for relief of pain in your joints or muscles. But did you know that musculoskeletal injuries and difficulties with movement can also be caused by endometriosis? Osteopathy can help with these impacts of the condition, which affects 1 in 10 women in the UK. With an average of 8 years until diagnosis, osteopaths can support women with the impacts of this condition while they wait for medical help.
 
Just as elsewhere in your body, your abdomen and pelvis are supported by muscles and fascial tissue. Endometriosis affects these tissues, which in turn affect the alignment and position of the pelvic area of your body.
 
Osteopaths will assess the triggers for pain and work to realign the musculoskeletal system.
Here are 5 ways osteopathy can help with the management and alleviation of pain and discomfort, and impaired mobility caused by endometriosis.

Support and strengthen your pelvic floor

The pelvic floor is an arrangement of muscles, similar to a hammock, that stabilise the pelvic bones and the joints (for example the hips, and sacroiliac joint) support the organs located in the pelvis and pelvis is lined with muscles called the pelvic floor.
 
When the muscles of the pelvic floor are affected by endometriosis, you may experience
·    symptoms when urinating, such as burning pain or increased frequency
·    pain during sex or on inserting tampons
·    pain during bowel movements
·    incontinence
·    soreness in the lower back and pelvic joints
 
Osteopathy will involve hands-on techniques to release tension in and around the pelvis, including the muscles of the pelvic floor. This pilot study affirms the effectiveness of osteopathy for pelvic pain and tightness in the pelvic floor muscles.

Bring relief from pain during sex

Endometriosis creates inflammation, scar tissue and adhesions in the pelvic bowl. Together with tension patterns in the connective tissues of this region, the creation of myofascial trigger points occurs in the tissues within the pelvic floor, back and abdomen. These are shortened pieces of muscle fibre that form a kind of knot, and tighten the muscle involved,
 
Because of the complex arrangement of the muscles of the pelvis and the multi-layered muscles of the pelvic floor, these trigger points can refer pain elsewhere in the region, including creating tightness in and around the sexual organs.
 
Your osteopath will gently work to ease the tension in the pelvis and abdomen, and the trigger points in the connective tissue. He or she will treat musculoskeletal adaptations to the disease process through techniques that address mobility and biomechanics.
 

Support lymph drainage to ease inflammation

Your osteopath will use techniques that improve movement throughout the pelvic and abdominal area. This will support lymph drainage. Any stasis in the lymph may worsen inflammation and pain.

Relieve endo belly

Endo belly is a symptom of endometriosis that includes excessive bloating of the belly. This can be caused by the inflammation in the pelvis, and by pelvic floor dysfunction – the muscles are unable to support the abdomen well, so the belly pouches out.
 
The endometrial-like tissue found in places outside the uterus acts in the same way the uterine endometrium does, building up then breaking down, except it has no outlet. Because it gets trapped, surrounding tissue becomes inflamed and irritated, and scar tissue can form.
 
Visceral manipulation therapy is an osteopathic technique that eases the pain and discomfort of endo belly.
 

Support for the whole person

Many women wait a long time for diagnosis and a treatment plan that’s effective. Osteopaths will support you while you pursue other options, with pain relief and a tailored treatment protocol for the impacts of the condition on your musculoskeletal system and movement that takes you, your lifestyle and your requirements into account.
 
Because the health of your body is connected to your emotional health, osteopaths will address the ways in which endometriosis affects other areas of your life, from your relationships to your capacity to work, and hence your stress levels.  Your practitioner will offer techniques you can use at home when you have a pain flare-up, which will support you to feel a sense of agency and influence in your life.
 
Radhika Madahar, osteopath in our Staines clinic, specialises in supporting women with relief from pelvic pain and musculoskeletal problems. If you’re experiencing pain and discomfort, consider booking an appointment with Radhika at our Staines clinic. She can help you manage the symptoms of endometriosis.