Endometriosis
- Curtis Allderidge
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
What is Endometriosis?
It is a debilitating, chronic disease characterised by the growth of endometrial tissue outside of the uterine cavity called ectopic endometrial implants (tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus but is located outside of the uterine cavity) and they undergo cyclic bleeding.
The female body isn't designed to remove endometrial tissue so, adhesions and scar tissue develop from the release of oestrogen after each menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women worldwide with the most common symptom being chronic pelvic pain leading to a reduced quality of life and lifelong treatment.
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown but some factors can increase the likelihood of developing the disease:
Having a family history
Backwards menstruation (blood flows backwards along the fallopian tubes into the pelvis)
Dysfunction of the immune system
The standard procedure is pain management, which consists mainly of medical and surgical treatment but this is where exercises can make a world of difference!
From a pathophysiological point of view, there appears to be what we call "oxidative stress" associated with endometriosis which increases inflammation within the body; this is indicated by an increase of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).
Not only does exercise have anti-inflammatory properties, it's also associated with a cumulative effect in the reduction of menstrual flow, ovarian stimulation, the action of oestrogen, reduce the frequency and severity of pelvic floor and abdomen cramping, alleviate constipation, quality of life, and pain relief - it doesn't get much better than that!
Cramping due to endometriosis can cause muscle guarding (protective mechanism where the muscles tense up to restrict movement protect itself from further harm) so using mobility tools (massage balls and foam rollers) and stretching exercises can ease off muscle guarding and restore proper length and relaxation to the muscles.
It's important to avoid specific exercises with endometriosis, especially after an initial diagnosis or during a flare up:
High-intensity abdominal exercises as they can place a significant load on your abdominal and lower back muscles like crunches and sit ups.
High-impact exercises like sprinting and jumping.
For any further information, questions, or to book an appointment please feel free to contact me via phone (03) 8203 2814 or email curtis@conqueralliedhealth.com.au
"Conquer Your Pain, Injury, and Health."
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