Reprinted from Volume 86, Supplement 2, September 2006
Contact: Clear Passage Therapies • www.clearpassage.com
TREATING ENDOMETRIOSIS PAIN WITH A MANUAL PELVIC PHYSICAL THERAPY.
L. J. Wurn, B. F. Wurn, C.R. King III, A. S. Roscow, E. S. Scharf, J. J. Shuster. Clear Passage Therapies, Inc., Gainesville, FL; Florida Medical Research Institute; Southeastern Women’s Health, Gainesville, FL; Dept. of Epidemiology and Public Health Policy. Coll. of Medicine, Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
OBJECTIVE: Approximately 5 million American women (mainly ages 25-40) suffer from endometriosis, a chronic and often exceedingly painful disease. Although not necessarily progressive, endometriosis pain usually increases during menstruation and sexual intercourse. Since this pelvic physical therapy has already been shown to reduce dyspareunia, the purpose of this study was to assess its efficacy in treating endometriosis pain.
DESIGN: Prospective analysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective analysis was performed on 18 patients (mean age = 37.2) with endometriosis confirmed via laparoscopy or laparotomy. The primary outcome measures were post-test vs. pre-test scores on various pain scales (i.e., each patient acted as her control). Prior to therapy, patients completed an IO-point pain scale (enhanced by the specific written descriptions of the Mankoski Pain Scale©), on which they rated their average pain during ovulation, pre-menstruation, menstruation, and sexual intercourse.
RESULTS: The Wilcoxon Signed-rank Test (2-sided) was used on the paired pre-test/post-test differences. The Total Difference, comprising pain during 3 phases of the menstrual cycle (ovulation, pre-menstruation, and menstruation), was significant (P = 0.014), with the lessening of pain during menstruation accounting for much of the difference (P = 0.008). The paired pre-test/post-test difference in pain during sexual intercourse was also significant (P = 0.001).
CONCLUSION: This manual pelvic physical therapy offers a non-surgical, non-pharmaceutical alternative to treating pain due to endometriosis. Moreover. It appears to have its greatest effect on the typically most painful times (i.e., menstruation and sexual intercourse).
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”