Endometriosis and the Pelvic Floor; What You Need to Know!

What Is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial like tissue grows outside of the uterus It is a common condition, 10% of women have endometriosis and frequently have an 8- 10 year delay of diagnosis. So many women live with the condition for years before they are diagnosed. Symptoms can include: Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction Bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction Bloating/ distension/ constipation Low back pain Hip, groin and/or abdominal pain Painful intercourse Painful menstruation and/or ovulation Feeling of pulling or tension in the abdomen because endometriosis causes adhesions ( scar tissue inside the body)which causes tissues or organs to stick together. The pelvic floor muscles are almost always affected ( about 70%) in women that have endometriosis because the pelvic organs literally sit on the third layer of pelvic floor muscles, the levator ani. In addition, due to the inflammation and pain the pelvic floor muscles become tight an effort to protectively guard the area. This becomes a perpetual cycle of inflammation, irritation and pain, It becomes a situation where there are several overlapping conditions going on at the same time. For example, The presence of endometriosis itself, pelvic floor dysfunction, musculoskeletal imbalance ( many women with endo “grip” their muscles as a response to painand develop trigger points). The decision to have surgery for endometriosis is multifactorial and largely a quality of life issue. Excision surgery is the gold standard for surgery for the treatment of endometriosis, the most permanent and effective ! This is what you need to know… -Do your due diligence!! do your homework when choosing a surgeon Nancy’s Nook is a great forum full of resources. Do research and interview doctors, ask them what their training is specifically with regard to endometriosis excision surgery? what percentage of their practice is endometriosis? how many excisions have they done? Make sure you go to a qualified excision specialist. Pelvic floor physical therapy should be the first line of defense in conservative treatment and symptom management for endometriosis regardless of whether there is surgical intervention or not because there are almost always overlapping conditions that need to be addressed. A trained pelvic floor physical therapist can help to improve symptoms, prevent flares and to teach clients a home program to manage the symptoms on their own. Make sure you watch the next video on Endometriosis. We will discuss more specifically how pelvic floor PT can help you if you have Endo so you can live your best, pain free life!! #endometriosis #excisionsurgery #pelvicfloormuscles #pelvicfloorphysicaltherapy Visit me at: My Website: https://www.pelvicorerehab.com/ MidWife Freebie : https://shesgotclients.lpages.co/5-th... Facebook:  / pelvicorerehab   Facebook Group:   / pelvichealthplus   YouTube:    / pelvicorerehabplus   Instagram :   / pelvicorerehab   The Breath ,The Core and the Pelvic Floor: Part 1    • The Breath,The Core and The Pelvic Floor   The Breath ,The Core and the Pelvic Floor: Part 2    • The Breath, The Core and The Pelvic Floor   The Breath, The Core and the Pelvic Floor Part 3    • The Breath, The Core and The Pelvic Floor ...   3 Strategies for Better breathing    • 3 Strategies for better Breathing   Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse    • Understanding Pelvic Organ Prolapse   Tight Pelvic Floor? 4Common Causes    • Tight Pelvic Floor? 4 Common Causes   Common Breathing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them    • Common Breathing Mistakes